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 Schneider
Tennis
Inducted: 1999
A three-time MIAC Champion at #1 singles, Dick Schneider played ahead of current Hall of Fame member and 1980 national singles champion John Mattke from 1977 to 1979. The best singles player on Gustavus teams that dominated conference and regional competition in the late '70s, Schneider was the NAIA District 13 singles champion in 1977 and 1979 and went on to earn All-America honors in singles at the 1979 NAIA Championships and in doubles at the 1979 NCAA Championships. In 1977, Schneider compiled a record of 34-8 at #1 singles and a record of 32-8 at #2 doubles with partner Steve Quello. While Schneider was at Gustavus, the Gusties compiled a dual match record of 107-26 overall and recorded four top-ten finishes at the NAIA National Championships, including sixth in 1976, eighth in 1977, third in 1978, and second in 1979.
After graduating with a degree in business, Schneider joined Flagship Athletic Club as a teaching professional in 1979. He has remained at Flagship for the past 20 years and currently serves as the director of tennis. Schneider has continued his playing career participating in virtually every local tournament as well as numerous national amateur championships over the past 20 years. He has won dozens of tournament titles and recorded three top-ten finishes in national amateur championships in the '90s. Dick lives in Eden Prairie with his wife, Kristen. They are expecting their first child in April.