Wrestlers Dan Lewandowski and Jim Peterson among the inductees
MINNEAPOLIS — As part of Augsburg University’s Homecoming week, nine alumni will be inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame, and one other will be honored with an award for athletic department excellence, during the 2023 Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony, to be held on Thursday, Oct. 12 at the Foss Chapel.
Inductees into the 50th class of the Athletic Hall of Fame are: Emily Anderson ’07 (Soccer/Basketball), Jaro Cesky ’03 (Hockey), Ben Erickson ’96 (Golf), Dan Lewandowski ’97 (Wrestling/Soccer), Missy Munsey ’96 (Volleyball), Jamie Osberg ’95 (Football), Jim Peterson ’99 (Wrestling/Football), Jeoffrey Reed ’00 (Basketball) and Ellen Waldow ’06 (Cross Country/Track & Field). In addition, former Augsburg instructor and coach Howard “Howie” Pearson ’53 will be honored with the Legend of Augsburg Athletics Award.
The nine inductees bring the total number of Athletic Hall of Fame members to 354, along with one team. In addition, 14 individuals have been honored with the department’s Distinguished Athletic Service Award, 10 individuals have earned the department’s Excellence in Coaching Award, and two individuals have earned the Legend of Augsburg Athletics Award.
Dan Lewandowski ’97 (Wrestling / Soccer)
1997 Augsburg Senior Honor Athlete … First Augsburg wrestler ever inducted into National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Wrestling Hall of Fame, inducted in 2003 … Finished career with 126-43 record, including 34-7 mark in 1995-96 and 37-6 record in 1996-97 … Won NCAA Division III national title at 190 pounds in both 1996 and 97, third Auggie wrestler ever (now 11 in program history) to win multiple national titles … Three-time NCAA All-American, finishing sixth at 190 in 1994-95, and four-time national tournament qualifier … Won MIAC titles at 190 pounds in 1996 and 1997, while finishing second in 1994 and 1995 … Earned MIAC Rory Jordan Award for most pins in least time at 1996 MIAC tournament … Member of Augsburg teams that won NCAA D-III national titles in 1995 and 1997, finished 2nd in 1996 and 4th in 1994 … Team co-captain in 1996-97 … Three-time NWCA Scholar All-American (1995, 1996, 1997), CoSIDA Academic All-American (second team at-large) in 1997 … Served as Augsburg assistant coach from 1998-2002, part of three national title teams as a coach … Also three-year member of Augsburg men’s soccer team as midfielder.
Jim Peterson ’99 (Wrestling / Football)
Co-Honor Athlete in 1998-99 … In wrestling, finished career with 129-26 record … Three-time All-American, winning NCAA D-III national title at 167 pounds in 1997-98, finishing 2nd at 174 in 1998-99, and finishing 7th at 167 in 1996-97 … Member of Augsburg teams that won NCAA national titles in both 1996-97 and 1997-98, while finishing 2nd in 1995-96 and 1998-99 …Won MIAC title at 174 in 1998-99 … 3-time NWCA Scholar All-American, CoSIDA Academic All-America 2nd team in 1999 … In football, earned All-MIAC 2nd team honors as running back in both 1997 and 1998 … Rushed 138 times for 520 yards and 4 TDs, while catching 70 passes for 622 yards and 3 TDs in career … Member of 1997 MIAC title and NCAA tournament team.
Read other inductee biographies at athletics.augsburg.edu
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