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.
Patrick McKusky
Hockey
Inducted: 1993
Pat McKusky burst onto the hockey scene at Gustavus in 1965 leading the Gusties to their first ever MIAC championship as a freshman and earning all-conference honors in the process. In his stellar career at Gustavus, McKusky was a two-time NAIA all-America selection, a two- time NAIA all-tournament selection, a four-time all-conference selection (one of only two Gustavus hockey players to be so honored), and a two- time team Most Valuable Player. During McKusky's tenure, the Gusties won four conference titles and made two NAIA national tournament appearances, finishing third in 1968 and 1969.
Switching back and forth from the center position to defense during his career, McKusky finished with 59 goals and 48 assists for a total of 107 points. He was also a standout on the football field where he received all-conference honors as a linebacker his senior season.
After graduating with a major in mathematics and a minor in health and physical education, McKusky was hired as a math teacher at North St. Paul High School where he has taught for 25 years. While at North St. Paul, he coached football for 24 years (eight as head coach), hockey for 16 years and track for four years. He continues to coach softball serving as an assistant coach for the past 12 years. McKusky lives in St. Paul with his son, David '91. He also has a daughter Shelley.