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.
John Holcomb
Football and Hockey
Inducted: 1985
John Holcomb came to Gustavus after already making a name for himself as an outstanding hockey goalie while at Shattuck School. He had enrolled at the University of Minnesota but came to Gustavus in 1936 in order to compete in both football and hockey for Coach George Myrum. He lettered in football in 1937 and 1938, playing on two championship teams, but he is likely to be remembered as the person who legitimized hockey at Gustavus.
The first official team was organized with Myrum's encouragement in 1937 and John provided the pads for the players. He lettered for three years and was named all-conference in both his junior and senior seasons. During his senior year, the team played its home games in the new Myrum Memorial Fieldhouse, which John's family (particularly his father, O.W. Holcomb) had been instrumental in funding.
John went on to dental school at the University of Minnesota following graduation in 1939, earning his D.D.S. degree in 1941. After military service in World War II, he returned to St. Paul to establish a dental practice, later moving to Hopkins. John died in 1971; his wife, Lucille Holcomb Hope, will accept his award.