BY JIMMY GILLIGAN | The Statesman
This past Saturday six Bulldog alumni were inducted into the UMD Athletic Hall of Fame, expanding the exclusive club to include 132 total members.
They join an elite group of athletes, supporters and boosters who have made significant contributions to UMD athletics. Among them are Olympic gold medalists, professional athletes and people who have buildings named after them on the UMD campus. Get to know the six newest Hall of Fame members as they reflect on their experiences as Bulldogs:
Heather Hamilton, Track & Field, 2000-2005
- Twice selected as Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year
- Named NCAA Division II Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2005
- Placed 25th among women at the 2013 United States of America Track & Field Championships
“What sticks out now is not the races, but all of the things that came along with being a member of a team. I’m just honored to be part of UMD history because it’s been such a meaningful part of my life.”
Mike Peluso, hockey, 1994-1998
- One of only four Bulldogs to receive All-Conference recognition in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association at least three times
- Scoring 80 goals and tallying 83 assists with 163 total points, he ranked No. 16 in program history when he left the program
- Enjoyed a six-year professional hockey career. spending time in both the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League
“Playing here at Minnesota Duluth was the best four years of my life… The goal I scored against the Minnesota Gophers to send them home and us to the Final Five (was my best memory here)”
Tom Stoll, Football, 1978-1981
- Ended his career as UMD’s No. 3 all-time rusher with 2,630 rushing yards, scoring 15 touchdowns during his four years in the backfield
- Was voted UMD’s Most Valuable Player on two separate occasions
- Helped lead the Bulldogs to a 34-6 overall record during his four-year playing career, including an undefeated season in 1980
“The (best memory) was the ’80 team that went undefeated… the downside of that was that they didn’t think our schedule was tough enough to make the playoffs, but we set the bar for all the other UMD football teams.”
Kathy (Haakonsen) Collman, Volleyball, Softball, 1982-1985
- Earned All-NSIC recognition in volleyball three consecutive times (1982-1985)
- Was named UMD's Outstanding Senior Female Athlete for 1984-85
- Served as team captain for both the volleyball and softball teams in 1984
“(It’s) Unexpected. (I’m) honored, privileged, amazed. The people were so incredible, and they were such gifted athletes, to play at such a high level was amazing. I just truly loved to play, that was the bottom line.”
Trevor Lundgren, Wrestling, 1986-1989
- Amassed a 96-12 record in his time at UMD
- Voted UMD’s Male Athlete of the year during his senior season in 1988-1989
- Was a two-time All-American wrestler who won two NSIC 142 pound titles and placed third at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics nationals on two separate occasions
“To be honest, there’s more qualified people than me. That’s why it’s just a huge honor and a really big deal to me.”
David Goldberg, lifelong Bulldog booster
- 1957 graduate of UMD
- Earned the distinction of being the largest philanthropic donor in UMD athletics history
- 2002-2003 recipient of UMD’s Marsh Nelson award for his support and leadership of Bulldog athletics.
“After being involved in umd athletics for 60 years this is a very special event for me. I’m just very excited and very honored to be a part of the Hall of Fame at UMD.”