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.
Richard Jaeger
Football
Inducted: 1993
Rick Jaeger was a four-year starter who helped put the gold back into the Golden Gustie football program under the direction of Jocko Nelson, He was an NAIA all-America selection at center in 1966 and an Associated Press and NAIA all-America selection at linebacker in 1967. He was also an all-conference selection in 1966 and 1967 and served as captain of the 1967 squad that claimed the MIAC championship.
The Gusties compiled a record of 10-2-2 in MIAC play during Jaeger's junior and senior seasons. Since graduation from Gustavus, Jaeger has earned master's degrees in physical education from Mankato State and educational administration from St. Cloud State. He taught one year in Indianapolis, Indiana, and has spent the last 23 years as teacher and football coach at Montevideo Senior High School in Montevideo, Minnesota.
For the past 19 years, Jaeger has been the head football coach with a record of 119 wins and 63 losses. For the past nine years, he has also been athletic director. Rick, and his wife, Benay '67, have two daughters: Amy '92 and Ann.