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.
Rich Skanse (Inducted: 2005)
Tennis
A three-time All-American in both singles and doubles for the Gustavus tennis team, Rich Skanse '84 won the 1982 NCAA Division III doubles title with partner Shaun Miller. Skanse and Miller posted a record of 33—7 and helped the Gusties win the NCAA Division III team title that same year. Skanse completed his standout career with a record of 95—46 in singles and 84—34 in doubles. He was a four-time MIAC champion in singles, claiming titles at the #3 position in 1981, 1982, and 1984 and at the #1 position in 1983. During his career, the Gusties posted a record of 82—25 overall and 34—0 in the MIAC. The team posted NCAA finishes of third in 1981, first in 1982, fifth in 1983, and second in 1984. In the spring of 1983, Skanse was named the winner of the NCAA Division III Arthur Ashe Award, given annually to the one player in the country that best exemplifies the combination of scholarship, playing ability, sportsmanship, and humanitarian concerns. Skanse was the first of what has turned out to be a long line of Gustavus tennis players to receive this prestigious honor.
After graduating in 1984 with a major in business, Skanse went to work for the Douglas Corporation, his family's business, in Eden Prairie, Minn. The Douglas Corporation makes decorative nameplates for automotive and industrial applications. He also ran a company with his brothers called Tennis Only from 1984 to 1990. Skanse is currently the director of quality assurance for Douglas Corp. Rich and his wife, Allison, live in Eden Prairie, Minn. They have three children, Lauren (19), Steven (16), and David (11). Rich's love for tennis has been passed on to his children, as all are involved in playing competitively. Lauren, a sophomore at Gustavus, is a member of the women's tennis team.