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.
Dave Hultgren
Baseball
Inducted: 2007
A gifted, all-around athlete, Dave Hultgren could play every position on the baseball field but settled in as a shortstop, pitcher, and catcher for the Gusties in the early 90's. A four-year starter, Hultgren was a three-time all-conference performer (1990-92) who won the MIAC batting title in his senior year with a .534 average. He led the team in hitting in 1991 (.398) and 1992 (.493) and was selected by his teammates as captain and Most Valuable Player both years. Hultgren's career batting average of .390 ranks fourth all-time at Gustavus and his single season average of .493 in 1992 ranks second best in program history. As a pitcher, Hultgren compiled a career mark of 5-0 as a starter and recorded three saves a a reliever. in his senior season, Hultgren threw five perfect innings against Macalester and registered a combined no-hitter with teammate Joel Daniels. Hultgren started all 94 games of his collegiate career.
After graduating with a major in psychology, Hultgren attended Mankato State University and received a master's degree in sports psychology in 1996. While at MSU, he served as an assistant coach for the Gustavus baseball team. Hultgren moved to Kansas City in 2997 and worked in the tile business as a regional sales representative until 2001 when he joined Topmaster, a countertop manufacturer, as a field manager. Dave and his wife, Renee, live in Shawnee, Kansas.