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.
Chris Swansson
Baseball, Football
Inducted: 2015
As swift afoot on the football field as he was on the baseball diamond, Chris Swansson waltzed into the end zone and strolled past home plate in record-breaking fashion for the Golden Gustie football and baseball teams in the late 1990s. In football, Swansson’s coaches described him as a “student of the game,” who carved up opposing defenses with his precise routes and soft hands. The four-year regular at wide receiver was as adept at making the big catch for an important first down as he was at making the late-game touchdown grab. Swansson was named first team all-conference in both his junior and senior seasons and graduated holding program records in career receptions (159), career receiving touchdowns (25) and career receiving yards (1,996). In baseball, Swansson started 138 out of 141 games in four seasons where he was a fleet-footed centerfielder and leadoff hitter who earned all-conference honors in 1997. At the plate. Swansson graduated holding career marks for at-bats, doubles, runs batted in, runs scored and stolen bases. His record of 56 stolen bases in a career still stands 15 years later.
After graduating with a social studies teaching major, Swansson accepted a position as a social studies teacher at Edina High School. In 2005, he moved to Rosemount High School where he continues to teach social studies while also serving as the head baseball coach as well as the offensive coordinator for the football team. Swansson also earned a master’s in teaching degree from Saint Mary’s University and an Ed Specialist degree from the University of St. Thomas. Chris lives in Rosemount, Minn. with his wife, Tammi and their children, Chance and Kylie.