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.
Mike Gempeler
Hockey
Inducted: 2019
A prolific point-scorer with a blue-collar mentality, Mike Gempeler was a three-time All-Conference forward for the Gustavus men’s hockey team in 1989, 1990, and 1991. He played on the second highest scoring line in program history with Dave Newcomer and Scott Reddy. That trio combined to score 500 points and helped the Gusties compile a record of 63-31-9 overall and 43-19-4 in the MIAC during their careers. Having a knack for shooting the puck and battling in the corners, Gempeler lit up the scoresheet his senior year, capping his career with 40 assists and 58 points during the 1990-91 season—both marks that rank second in program history.
As durable and reliable as they come, Gempeler played in 112 career games with 70 goals and 104 assists for 174 points; all ranking in the top-eight in the school record books. Gempeler’s physical style of play was also evident as he tops the program’s list for penalties and penalty minutes. Well-liked by his teammates, Gempeler helped the Gusties finish third in the MIAC his first two seasons and then second in both his junior and senior years, including two appearances in the NCAA tournament.
A 1991 graduate with a degree in business management, Gempeler has been the owner and operator of the U.S. Junior Development Program in Evergreen, Colo., since 1999. Gempeler also founded the CCM Hockey Showcase in 2010 and has owned/operated a number of other sports-based businesses throughout his career. Mike and his wife Mary Beth live in Evergreen with their daughters Samantha and Grace.