Hamline will honor its distant … and not-so-distant … past this weekend when the five newest members are inducted into the school’s athletic Hall Of Fame. The fivesome will be honored at an on-campus dinner on October 5 and then introduced to the crowd at halftime of the October 6 Homecoming football game against St. Olaf.

“It will be a great weekend around here in many ways,” said Jason Verdugo, HU athletic director. “These alums and former coach represent the best Hamline has to offer as athletes and human beings. It’s a pleasure to honor them.”

Although they come from many athletic walks, all were versatile in their pursuits during their days as a Piper.

Doug Amsden (’02) actually played three sports (hockey, football and baseball) during his HU career but is best known for his efforts in the latter two. On the gridiron, he caught nearly 100 passes in a four-year career. On the diamond, he batted .340 as a senior and was named the schools’ Steve Lindgren Award winner as the top male athlete of the year. He is still involved in baseball at HU as a longtime assistant coach.

Jeffrey Lander (’79) was a two-time NCAA Division III All-American for his sterling efforts throwing the shot put and the discus. A three-time All-MIAC honoree, he was a member of four MIAC championship contingents. He remains active as a professor at Life University and has published numerous articles on sport health sciences. He is also in demand as a speaker on the subject.

Teresa Olsen McGrath (’01) has a track legacy that goes to this day – 11 years after her last race. She still holds a pair of school records in the 800 and 1500 meters. (She also was seventh in the 800 and fifth in the 1500 at the NCAA meet) She also won the MIAC title one year in the 1000 meters. McGrath, who also played four years of soccer here, is still on the run, having finished legging out a pair of marathons. In 2001, she biked from Portland, Ore. to Pagosa Springs, Colo., - a journey of roughly 2,500 miles.

Glenda Boyd Prom (’93) was a part of some of the best volleyball teams in school history. In 1992, her senior season, she led the MIAC in kills and was second in digs, a very unusual pairing. She ended the season among the NCAA leaders as well in both departments. Hamline lost just six MIAC matches in her last two seasons here. A two-time All-MIAC choice, she is still involved in the game as the longtime head coach at St. Cloud Cathedral High School.

Dr. Ben Lewis wore many hats during his time at Hamline in the late 50s and early 60s. He was an assistant swimming coach and the school’s library director. He also served six seasons as the school tennis coach, overseeing two of the only three titles HU has ever won in the sport during his tenure, which lasted from 1958-64. Two of his protégées – Tom Hutton (’62) and Bob Gustafson (’64) are also in the Hall of Fame. Dr. Lewis passed away in April 2011. His son Robert and grandson David will be on campus this weekend to accept the honor.