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.
David Nerothin
Football and Wrestling
Inducted: 1994
A two-sport standout for the Gusties, Dave Nerothin was a four-year letter winner on the wrestling team and a three-year letter winner on the football team. Nerothin dominated the 145 and 152 pound weight classes both in the MIAC and nationally during his collegiate wrestling career. He was a three-time MIAC Champion (once at 145 Ibs. and twice at 152 Ibs.) earning the MIAC's Most Outstanding Wrestler Award in 1969. In 1968, Dave placed second at the NCAA College Division Wrestling Championships and earned All-America honors. He compiled an impressive match record of 83-17 in his career.
Off the mat, Nerothin was wrestling wide receivers and running backs to the ground on the football field. A three-year starter at defensive back, he played on the 1967 and 1968 MIAC Championship teams, earning all-conference honors in 1968.
After graduating with a degree in biology in 1970, Nerothin immediately entered the University of Minnesota Dental School where he received his D.D.S. in 1974. After several years of practicing dentistry, he began an anesthesiology residency in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1979 and completed his residency in 1981 and finished his fellowship in 1983. He then entered Creighton University School of Medicine in 1987 where he earned his M.D. in 1991. From there, Nerothin practiced anesthesiology and pain management at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. Dave and his wife Linda have a daughter, Anne-Marie.