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.
Mark Skoog
Football and Hockey
Inducted: 1990
Defying traditional wisdom, Skoog became a devastating runner from his fullback position right from his freshman year. He helped lead the Gustie gridders to an undefeated season in 1959, and he was named to the all- MIAC team his first two years at Gustavus. When snow covered the football field, Skoog donned ice skates and brought his bulldozing style to the rink as a hockey wing and defenseman. During the 1961 season, Skoog was student coach of the hockey team, and his squad posted a 4-7-1 record.
Skoog took his leadership talents to the military after graduation in 1962, entering the U.S. Navy Officer Training School. Upon receiving his commission as a lieutenant, Skoog embarked on a 22-year military career, and in 1983, was promoted to the rank of commander in addition to being named commanding officer of the destroyer USS O'Callahan. He retired from active duty in 1986 and completed a master's degree in education, which led him to be a biology teacher at Mountain Home (AZ) High School.
Skoog and his wife, Patricia, a registered nurse, have three children Camille and twins Kaia and Kama.