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.
Donald Miller
Baseball and Football
Inducted: 1990
While earning his undergraduate degree in physical education and mathematics, Miller earned letters in three varsity sports. A quarterback at Waseca High School, Miller shifted to guard under Coach Lloyd Hollingsworth. The move proved to be an shrewd one. As co-captain of the 1954 squad that finished 6-0 in the conference and 7-2 overall, Miller was named to the all-MIAC team. A four-year starting pitcher for the baseball Gusties, Miller had the distinction of playing under three different coaches (Jiggs Westergard, Art Avis and Gus Young). After graduation, Miller started his teaching and coaching career at Hinckley, MN. He returned to St. Peter in 1958, where he coached high school football and baseball for five years. He then joined the Mankato school system, where he taught math while also coaching football, baseball, swimming and gymnastics before being named athletic director in 1973. After a career in coaching and athletic management spanning four decades, Miller was named Minnesota Class AA Athletic Director of the Year in 1989. Now retired, Miller and his wife, Granis, a registered nurse, live in Mankato. The couple has six children: Steve, Doug, Sue, Jo, Dave, and Amy.