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.
Jay Skoglund
Basketball and Golf
Inducted: 1979
Jay "Junior" Skoglund attended Gustavus from 1945-48 after a semester's work at Hamline Univ. and service in World War II from April 1943 to December 1945. During that short time at Gustavus, he was considered one of the best basketball players ever to play at Gustavus. He won All-State honors as a forward three straight years and served as team captain the last two years. Junior dominated conference play as the MIAC's third leading scorer his first year, second leading scorer his second year, and top scorer his senior year. He also set a four-year scoring record in three years' time. He was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers after his junior and senior years and was also on the golf team for two years. Jay was listed in Who's Who in American Colleges, was recipient of the Schleuder (Scholar/Athlete) Award in 1948, and served as G-Club president.
He received his M.Ed. from Macalester College and Pupil Personnel Credentials from San Diego State Univ. He served as a counselor at Mesa College in San Diego starting in 1968 and was, for a time, chair of the counseling department. In addition, he was selected for a term as president of the San Diego Personnel and Guidance Association. Prior to his position at Mesa College, he was guidance counselor for San Diego City Schools.
He and his wife, Lorraine, had three sons - Gary, Dennis, and Craig.