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.
Paul Thompson (Inducted: 1991)
Football
Paul Thompson was the epitome of the small college student-athlete. Clearly gifted as a scholar In mathematics and the sciences, Thompson also had the ability to pick and find receivers on a football field with superior accuracy. Though he played behind quarterback Bob Swiggum on the strong 1958 and 1959 Gustie teams, Tnompson won all-MIAC recognition in 1960 as the starter on a team that finished 3-3-1.
Thompson's mathematics degree started him on a fulfilling path to a career in education. After earning master's and doctoral degrees at the University of Illinois, Thompson taught and coached for several years before moving into college administrative positions in Illinois and Washington state. Along the way, he has found time to serve as a frequent speaker at state and national education meetings, as well as to author two books on mathematics and numerous articles for professional journals. Today, Thompson is the president of Harper College in Palatine, Ill.
Paul and his wife, Doriann (Fredrickson '61), have three adult children: Julie Jacques (x83), Sara (84) and David.