Athletic Hall of Fame
The Gustavus Adolphus College Hall of Fame was established in 1978 at which time 19 "Charter Members" were inducted either as coaches or as athletes. As of the fall of 2022, 348 individuals (321 athletes, 16 coaches and 11 benefactors) have been elected to the Hall of Fame.
The former Hall of Fame room on the second floor of the Lund Center was originally partially endowed by the families of both Dwight Holcombe's (the only father/son combination holding membership in the Hall). The hardwood plaque upon which the individual plates are permanently displayed, now in the Hall of Champions, was donated by the family of former football coach and Hall of Fame member Jocko Nelson, who passed away in 1978.
Sara Hokanson
Gymnastics
Inducted: 1990
Sara Hokanson has been a pioneer in the finest sense of the word. She was a member of the first Gustavus Adolphus gymnastics team to compete at the intercollegiate level, and she took advantage of the opportunity by leading the squad to state championships in 1966 and 1967. Hokanson's hard work earned her the state individual all-around gymnastics championship in 1967. Working with coaches Nancy Baker and Lloyd Hollingsworth, Hokanson also helped promote gymnastics in area schools by serving as a workshop demonstrator and teacher.
Her pioneering spirit was also evident when she organized and coached the college's first women's track and field team in 1974. In all, Hokanson coached 31 teams in track and field, cross country, and gymnastics as a member of the Gustavus faculty and physical education professor.
Hokanson, however, believes her most important accomplishments are her sons. Lane completed his degree at Bemidji State and Eric graduated from St. John's University in Collegeville, MN.