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.
Val Flom Ashland (Inducted: 2003)
Volleyball
A two-time First Team All-America selection as an outside hitter, Val Flom Ashland was the cornerstone of the three most successful volleyball teams in Gustavus women's volleyball history. A starter in nearly every match of her career from 1983 until 1986, Flom starred on Gustie teams that claimed MIAC titles in 1984, 1985, and 1986, compiling a league mark of 31--1 during that stretch. Flom was a gifted all-around player who was as strong defensively and on serve as she was on the attack. She is the program's all-time leader in kills with 1,684 and ranks third in career service aces with 221. She also holds the record for service aces in a season with 96, set in 1985. In 1984, Flom recorded 254 kills, 110 blocks, and 46 service aces for a squad that compiled a school-record 45 wins, advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament, and finished the season ranked eighth in Division III (the highest ranking in the program's history). In 1986, she recorded 584 kills, 124 blocks, and 75 service aces for a team that posted an overall record of 39--13, advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Central Regional, and finished the season ranked 10th in Division III.
Graduating with a major in elementary education, Flom began her teaching career in Bowler, Wisconsin, where she taught third grade and coached volleyball for 10 years. She moved to Bloomer, Wisconsin, in 1997 and has taught sixth grade at Menomonie Middle School for the past six years. Flom received her masters in education from Viterbo University. Val and her husband, Brett Ashland ('87), live in Bloomer, Wisconsin, with their two daughters, Kayla (11) and Emily (7).