The University of Minnesota “M” Club and the University of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics Department announced today that 13 former Golden Gopher greats will be inducted into the “M” Club Hall of Fame at the annual Hall of Fame Banquet on Thursday, Sept. 27. The banquet will be held at the Ted Mann Theatre on the Minneapolis campus and will kick off the Hall of Fame Weekend. Inductees will also be honored at the women’s soccer match on Friday, Sept. 28, and on Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Gophers’ football game with Ohio State University.
The Class of 2007 includes: John Bergman, Men's Swimming & Diving, 1960-64; P.J. Bogart, Men’s Swimming & Diving, 1993-96; Eileen Donaghy, Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field, 1985-89; Tim Heikkila, Men’s Track & Field, 1969-71; Erica Killewald, Women's Hockey, 1997-2001; Nadine Muzerall, Women’s Hockey, 1997-2001; Rachel (Nelson) Olson, Softball, 1995-97; Glen Sonmor, Men’s Hockey, 1966-71; Chris Voelz, Women’s Athletic Director, 1988-2002; and Dennis Zacho, Baseball and Men’s Hockey, 1964-67. In addition three Legends are being inducted:
Three individuals will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as Legends: Larry Buhler, Football, 1936-38; Delver Daly, Men’s Gymnastics, 1939-41; and Sigmund Harris, Football, 1903-04.
The University of Minnesota M Club is a nonprofit organization representing all letterwinners from the University of Minnesota athletics teams. The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to honor achievements and to preserve the tradition of those athletes, coaches and athletic staff members who have contributed in an outstanding and positive way to the University of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics Department.
The criteria for induction to the Hall of Fame include four different categories: significant accomplishments by a former student-athlete; significant achievements by a former coach or administrator; significant contributions of time, talent or resources to the athletics department by
someone other than an athlete, coach or administrator, and significant professional achievement by a former Minnesota student-athlete. Former student-athletes inducted for significant accomplishments become eligible for selection five years after the expiration of their eligibility, while former coaches and staff members must have served the department for five years to be eligible.
Hall of Fame Inductee Bios:John Bergman
Men's Swimming & Diving, 1960-64
A member of the Minnesota men’s swimming and diving team between 1960-64, John Bergman helped the Golden Gophers attain conference and national supremacy with outstanding performances throughout his career. Swimming under coaches Bill Heusner and Bob Mowerson, Bergman set the freshman team records in the 200-yard and 400-yard individual medley. Later, he broke varsity marks in the 100-yard and 200-yard butterfly, and was a member of a 400-yard freestyle that set a team standard.
While Bergman was swimming for the Maroon and Gold, Minnesota was a power in the both the Big Ten and the nation. In 1961, at the AAU Outdoor Nationals, he was on an eighth-place 400-meter medley relay and fourth-place 800-meter freestyle relay. He placed in the Big Ten and NCAA Championship meets his sophomore, junior and senior years, and was a two-time All-American. His college highlight came as a sophomore, when Minnesota finished third at the NCAAs. At that meet, Bergman was a member of the Golden Gophers’ 400-yard freestyle relay that placed first with an NCAA record of 3:18.1.
During his career, Bergman played an important role on a team that finished third, fourth and fifth in consecutive years at the NCAA Championships. In 1962, he became All-American in 100-yard butterfly (10th), 400-yard medley relay (7th) and 400-yard free relay (1st). The free relay set an American and NCAA record. While Bergman was swimming at Minnesota, he established new pool records, not only at Cooke Hall, but also at Northwestern, Gustavus Adolphu, Iowa, Southern Illinois and Michigan State.
After graduating from the University of Minnesota, Bergman served as the assistant swim coach with Bob Mowerson while in medical school. Bergman was also a financial supporter for Golden Gopher Swimming & Diving consistently for 30 years, including the W.W. Heusner Endowed Scholarship Fund.
Bergman was inducted into the Minnesota Swim Coaches Hall of Fame and the University of Minnesota Swimming Hall of Fame in 1987. Bergman resides in Minneapolis where he practices as a dermatologist.
P.J. Bogart
Men's Swimming & Diving, 1993-96
P.J. Bogart is widely considered the best diver to ever compete for the Maroon and Gold and stands as one of the most decorated athletes in University of Minnesota history. During his collegiate career from 1993-96, the native of Mesa, Ariz., was an unprecedented four-time Big Ten Diver of the Year and a four-time All-American. He was also one of only two divers in University history to win an NCAA Championship, and is the only one to win more than one title.
Bogart opened his Maroon and Gold career in 1993 with the Big Ten and NCAA platform diving titles. His individual national championship was the first for a Minnesota diver since Craig Lincoln took home the 3-meter event in 1972. Along the way, Bogart set school freshman scoring records that stand to this day in both the 1- and 3-meter diving events.
During his sophomore season, Bogart captured Big Ten titles in both the 1-meter and platform events, earning the first of three All-Big Ten honors in his career. At the 1994 NCAA Championships, he became the first Golden Gopher diver to earn NCAA All-America honors in all three diving events.
Bogart repeated that feat in 1995, taking the NCAA 1-meter championship, finishing second in the 3-meter and earning fourth-place in the platform event. Prior to the national meet, Bogart became the first Minnesota diver in school history to win Big Ten titles in all three events. Following the season, he was named the Big Ten Men’s Athlete of the Year.
The 1996 season saw Bogart wrap up his Maroon and Gold career with more outstanding performances. In addition to earning All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten honors, Bogart captured the 1- and 3-meter crowns to help lead Minnesota to its first Big Ten Championship since 1926. A month later at the NCAA Championships, Bogart won his eighth national title with a 632.97-point performance in the 1-meter event. For the third consecutive season, he nabbed All-America honors in all three diving events, finishing fourth in the 3-meter and seventh in the platform. Bogart also completed his career with his first Verizon/CoSIDA Academic All-American honor.
Bogart’s name litters the Golden Gopher record book as the owner of school record in all three diving events. He also ranks first all-time with eight individual Big Ten titles and eight with 12 All-America honors.
Following his Maroon and Gold career, Bogart went on to become a U.S. 1- and 3-meter champion, and narrowly missed making the 2000 U.S. Olympic team, finishing third in the 3-meter event. Bogart is currently performing in the Cirque du Soleil show O at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.
Eileen DonaghyWomen's Track & Field, Cross Country, 1985-89 
Undoubtedly one of the greatest long-distance runners in school history, Eileen Donaghy has a secure place in the Minnesota record book. In cross country, the St. Paul native captured the 1987 Big Ten Cross Country Championship and still stands today as the Golden Gophers’ lone conference champion. On the track, the 1988 All-American owns six of the top 10 times in the 10,000-meter run, including the school-record time of 33:31.96.
Before arriving at Minnesota, Donaghy ran a 5:25 mile during her prep career at Highland Park High School. By her senior collegiate season, she had collected a plethora of team, conference and national awards, in addition to her record-setting performances.
Donaghy walked on to the Golden Gopher squad following her first year in school, sat out in the first three meets, and then qualified for the traveling squad in first meet. In the fall of 1985, Donaghy quickly established herself as one of the top long-distance runners on campus. She earned the Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Runner awards following her first cross country season and carried that momentum into a stellar career during her final three years.
During her 1986 sophomore cross country campaign, Donaghy earned Second Team All-Big Ten accolades and was named the team’s Most Valuable Runner after leading the team with a 13th-place finish at the Big Ten Championships.
Donaghy was the top Golden Gopher finisher in every race during her junior season, but her words of, “Oh my gosh, I don’t believe it!” when she crossed the finish line at the 1987 Big Ten Championships with the No. 1 card firmly in hand, was a highlight of her cross country career.
In the 1987 conference meet, Donaghy bursted past two runners in the final 300 meters to finish with a career-best 5K time of 16:58.0, the ninth-fastest time in school history. With her medalist performance at the conference meet, Donaghy led the Maroon and Gold to its best-ever third-place team showing. She went on to finish fifth in the NCAA District Championship to earn NCAA All-Region honors. With her outstanding season, Donaghy earned her second consecutive team Most Valuable Runner award.
Donaghy’s 1988 senior season saw the tri-captain post the top Minnesota finish in every race but one. She went on to earn her second consecutive NCAA All-Region award, finishing 15th in the district meet.
Throughout her career, Donaghy parlayed her strong cross country performances in the fall into outstanding track showings in the spring. She owns the sixth- and 10th-fastest times in the indoor 5,000-meter run, and the eighth- and 10th-fastest times in the outdoor 5,000-meter run.
It was in the 10,000-meter run that Donaghy shone on the track. The school-record holder in the 10K with a time of 33:31.96, Donaghy also currently holds the Nos. 2, 7, 8, 9 and 10 times in the long-distance race. During the 1988 season, Donaghy became Minnesota’s lone All-American in the 10K after posting her school-record time to finish eighth at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Equally impressive in the classroom, Donaghy finished her collegiate career with a degree in geological engineering. Donaghy currently works as a senior petrophysical engineer with Shell Exploration and Production Co. in Houston.
Tim Heikkila
Men's Track & Field, 1967-71
Tim Heikkila came to the Golden Gophers after a stellar high school career and etched his name in the Minnesota high jump record books. A native of Superior, Wis., Heikkila became the first University of Minnesota athlete to clear the seven-foot barrier. The 1967 Wisconsin State High School High Jump Champion, Heikkila was one of Minnesota’s top performers during the last 1960s and early 1970s.
During his 1969 season, Heikkila became the Maroon and Gold’s first outdoor Big Ten high jump champion since 1950 with a seven-foot leap, earning himself a top 10 ranking among all U.S. high jumpers. His seven-foot jump was also the first in Big Ten Championships history.
During his senior season, the team captain became the first Golden Gopher high jumper to earn an outdoor All-America accolade after a second-place finish at the 1971 NCAA Championships. During that season, Heikkila was ranked third in the U.S. All-Time Ranking and seventh in the world. In 1971, Heikkila was named to the USA Track & Field Team that toured Europe. Today, Heikkila’s top performances in the high jump rank eighth (7-2) and ninth (7-1) on Minnesota’s outdoor and indoor top performers lists, respectively.
After graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in education, Heikkila became the 1990 Masters National Indoor and Outdoor High Jump Champion. In 2000, he was inducted into the USA Minnesota Track & Field Hall of Fame.
For the past 14 years, Heikkila has been employed in Tallahassee, Fla., by The State of Florida, Department of the Lottery in Sales & Marketing as a Corporate Account Sales Executive. Prior to moving to Florida, Heikkila worked 14 years for the Clairol Company as a Sales Representative and District Sales Manager in the Minnesota and Wisconsin districts.
Erica Killewald
Women's Hockey, 1997-2001
A record-setting member of the inaugural edition of University of Minnesota women’s hockey, Erica Killewald was the goaltender for the Golden Gophers for the first four years of the program. Killewald’s name litters the Maroon and Gold record book as the netminder helped Minnesota hang a pair of banners to the rafters of Ridder Arena.
A native of Troy, Mich., Killewald ranks first in the school career record book in saves (2,385) and shutouts (21), second in wins (73) and sixth in goals-against average (1.88). She also owns four of the top seven winningest seasons for a goaltender.
Killewald will go down in Golden Gopher history as the winning goaltender for the first ever women’s hockey game at the U of M. The netminder backstopped Minnesota to an 8-0 win over Augsburg in front of a record crowd at Mariucci Arena on Nov. 2, 1997. From there, Killewald help Minnesota grow from its infancy into the AWCHA Champions in 1999-2000.
After an 18-win freshman season that saw her finish tied for second in the nation with five shutouts, Killewald led the Golden Gophers to a third-place finish at the 1999 AWCHA National Championship, earning all-tournament honors in the process. During that sophomore season, Killewald held opponents to two or fewer goals in 23 of 26 starts and led nation in goals against average (1.24) and save percentage (.947). For her efforts, she was named the team’s most improved and most valuable player.
The 1999-2000 season saw Killewald and the Maroon and Gold make history as Minnesota won its first women’s national team title at the AWCHA National Championship. Killewald stopped 74 of 78 shots in the national tournament, earning most valuable player honors. On the season, she posted a 17-6-1 record, including an 8-0-1 mark in 10 games during the tram’s 21-game unbeaten streak. In a 2-2 tie at archrival Minnesota Duluth, Killewald made 51 saves to set a school record that stands to this day.
Killewald wrapped up her collegiate career in 2000-01 by leading the Golden Gophers to their first ever WCHA Regular Season Championship. On the season, she posted a 19-8-2 record, leading the WCHA in goals-against average (2.12) and save percentage (.914) to earn First Team All-WCHA honors.
During her career at Minnesota, Killewald compiled a 73-23-9 career record and helped the Maroon and Gold compile a 105-26-9 (.782) overall record and raise the first two banners in school history. A two-time member of the WCHA All-Academic Team, Killewald graduated with a degree in kinesiology and is currently a radiologic technologist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
Nadine Muzerall
Women's Hockey, 1997-2001
One of the most accomplished Golden Gopher women’s hockey players, Nadine Muzerall stands atop the Minnesota record book with 139 career goals, including a record 40 power-play markers. A member of the inaugural edition of University of Minnesota women’s hockey, Muzerall put her stamp on the early years of the program, helping the Golden Gophers hang a pair of banners to the rafters of Ridder Arena along the way.
Hailing from Mississauga, Ont., and the Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, N.H., Muzerall opened her Maroon and Gold career with a 32-goal, 32-assist freshman season to earn Women’s Hockey News Second Team All-American, Patty Kazmaier Award Finalist and team most valuable player accolades. Her 64-point season currently ranks 10th in the Minnesota record book.
During her 1998-99 sophomore season, Muzerall was named a Second Team AWCHA All-American, helping the Golden Gophers to a third-place finish at the 1999 AWCHA National Championship. She compiled totals of 30-18--48 and ranked in the top 20 nationally in seven offensive categories.
The 1999-2000 campaign saw Muzerall and the Maroon and Gold make history as Minnesota won its first women’s national team title at the AWCHA National Championship. Muzerall scored the game-winning goal in the 4-2 national championship win over Brown and earned all-tournament honors with three goals and an assist in two games. For the season, Muzerall owned totals of 49-28--77 and led the nation in goals (49), power-play goals (16), power-play points (27) and game-winning goals (9). Her 49 goals, 16 power-play goals and 1.29 goals-per-game currently sit atop the Minnesota season record book.
In a 10-0 win over Bemidji State, she set school records that stand to this day with five goals and seven points. During a season which saw her go on a 20-game point streak, Muzerall was earned First Team All-WCHA and Minnesota team most valuable player honors.
Muzerall wrapped up her collegiate career in 2000-01 by helping the Golden Gophers to their first ever WCHA Regular Season Championship. On the season, she notched 28 goals and 18 assists, and was named a Patty Kazmaier Award Finalist for the second time in her career.
In the Minnesota career record book, Muzerall now sits first in goals (139), goals-per-game (1.08), power-play goals (40) and shots (726), third in points (235), fourth in plus/minus (+149), fifth in shorthanded goals (4) and sixth in assists (96).
A University of Minnesota graduate with a degree in family social science, Muzerall recently completed her fifth season as head coach of the Northfield Mount Hermon School girls’ hockey team in Gill, Mass.
Rachel (Nelson) Olson
Softball, 1993-97
Perhaps the most decorated player in Golden Gopher softball history, Rachel (Nelson) Olson stands as one of the best player to ever play softball at the University of Minnesota. Ranking in the top five in six career categories, Olson came to Twin Cities after a standout career at Maple River High School.
A native of Mapleton, Minn., Olson starred in the outfield for the Maroon and Gold from 1994-97. During her freshman season, she earned All-Big Ten Second Team and NCAA All-Mideast Region First Team honors after leading the Big Ten in hits and posting a team-best .365 batting average. Olson had an impressive 22 multiple-hit games and ended the season with a 12-game hitting streak.
Olson built on her rookie season with a stellar sophomore campaign in 1995. Collecting Third Team NSCA All-American, NCAA All-Mideast Region First Team, Second Team All-Big Ten and team Most Valuable Player accolades, Olson started all 56 games and led the Golden Gophers with a .380 batting average, 76 hits and 36 runs scored.
The 1996 season Olson put together will go down as one of the greatest individual years for a Golden Gopher in program history. Named to the NSCA All-America, All-Mideast Region and All-Big Ten First Teams, Olson claimed Minnesota single season records in runs scored (65) and hits (93). In the season record book, she also ranks second in triples (7), third in batting average (.415) and fifth in at bats (224). Paced by Olson’s outstanding play, Minnesota appeared in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1991.
Olson wrapped up her Maroon and Gold career in 1997 with another award-filled season. Notching a team-best 71 hits, 45 runs scored and 25 stolen bases, along with a .382 batting average, Olson earned NCAA All-Mideast Region Second Team, All-Big Ten Second Team and team Most Valuable Player honors. She also became only the fourth softball player in school history to earn GTE CoSIDA Academic All-American honors when she was named to the third team.
In 2000, the two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection was named to the Minnesota Softball All-25th Anniversary Team, while in 2001, she was inducted into the Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame.
Olson finished her career with 313 hits, fifth on the NCAA all-time list, and a Minnesota/Big Ten Conference record. In the Golden Gopher career record book, Olson ranks first in hits, runs scored (175) and at-bats (810), third in batting average (.386), and fourth in triples (13) and stolen bases (66)
A graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in kinesiology, Olson is currently a teacher at Akin Road Elementary School in Farmington, Minn.
Glen Sonmor
Men’s Hockey Head Coach, 1966-71
One of the most colorful and popular figures in hockey, Glen Sonmor has made his mark at the amateur and professional levels across North America, particularly in the state of Minnesota. Sonmor emerged from the OHA, WCHJL and USHL ranks to play three seasons in the AHL before making his NHL debut with the New York Rangers in 1953.
Sonmor grew up in Toronto where he played junior hockey from 1947-49. His professional hockey career started in 1949 with the Minneapolis Millers and ended with an eye injury in 1955 while playing for the Cleveland Barons. Before coming to the University of Minnesota, he coached the Springfield Indians of the American Hockey League from 1957-58. For the next six years Sonmor taught physical education and coached high school hockey in Hamilton, Ontario. After coaching at Ohio State for one season Sonmor accepted an invitation to serve as the head coach of the Golden Gophers.
In five seasons behind the bench, he took the Maroon and Gold from a 9-21-0 overall record to conference champs. In the 1969-70 season, Sonmor led Minnesota to its first WCHA Championship in 16 years, completing the season with a 21-12-0 record. In the process, Sonmor was named the WCHA Coach of the Year.
The following season, Minnesota made its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 10 years. Sonmor led the Golden Gophers to the national championship game where Boston University claimed the title with a 4-2 win.
During Sonmor’s time as head coach, attendance at Golden Gopher games rose 60 percent. Sonmor completed his years at Minnesota with a 78-80-6 record and coached three All-Americans: Gary Gambucci (1968), Murray McLachlan (1970), and Wally Olds (1970).
Sonmor left the Golden Gophers in 1971 and took the head coaching position with the St. Paul Fighting Saints in the upstart World Hockey Association. He returned to the NHL in 1978 when one of his former Golden Gopher assistant coaches, Lou Nanne, selected him to coach the Minnesota North Stars. He guided the North Stars on three different occasions from 1978-87, leading the club to its first Stanley Cup appearance against the New York Islanders in 1981
In 2001, Sonmor was named as one of the 50 most significant players and coaches in the history of University of Minnesota hockey. In October 2006, he was awarded the NHL’s Lester Patrick Trophy, an annual award presented for outstanding service to hockey in the United States. This past February, the University of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics Department bestowed an honorary letter for the former head coach of the Golden Gophers.
A native of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Sonmor is currently the color commentator for Golden Gopher broadcasts on WCCO AM 830 and a scout for the Minnesota Wild.
Chris Voelz
Women’s Athletics Director, 1988-2002
An influential leader on the Division I athletics scene, Chris Voelz led the University of Minnesota Women’s Athletics Department from 1988 to 2002, making her the longest-serving women’s athletics director in Minnesota history. Until the merger of the Men’s and Women’s Athletics Department in 2002, Voelz oversaw 12 Golden Gopher sports at one of five schools in the nation with a separate women’s athletics department.
During her tenure, Minnesota saw academic achievements, athletic accomplishments and fundraising returns reach all-time highs. Under Voelz, the Golden Gophers notched three top 20 finishes in the Directors’ Cup, one national championship (women’s hockey in 2000), five top 10 national team finishes and nine Big Ten championships. Voelz was also instrumental in the addition of soccer, hockey and rowing as Minnesota’s 10th, 11th and 12th women’s sports programs, adding 110 new opportunities for women student-athletes.
Academically under Voelz, women’s athletic department achieved more than 25 consecutive academic terms of maintaining a 3.0 GPA or above, while female student-athletes achieved graduation rates above the University and national average.
A signature of the Voelz era at Minnesota included hosting seven NCAA Championships and numerous Big Ten Championships. Minnesota set a new standard of excellence in hosting championship events.
Voelz managed a $10.9 million athletics budget and a staff of more than 80 employees, and was significantly involved in securing over $16 million toward the building of new facilities. She directed the successful efforts for facility expansion, opening Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium for soccer and Jane Sage Cowles Stadium for softball in 2000, and Ridder Arena for hockey and the Baseline Tennis center for tennis in 2002, and facilitating the renovation of the Sports Pavilion. Voelz also helped played a major role in the building of the University Aquatic Center. Last fall, she was honored at the Sports Pavilion with the opening of the Chris Voelz Volleyball Team Room.
During her 14-year career at Minnesota, Voelz was able to increase the endowed scholarships for women student-athletes from one to 25 – more than any other university.
Voelz managed a $10.9 million athletics budget and a staff of more than 80 employees, and was significantly involved in securing over $16 million toward the building of new facilities. She directed the successful efforts for facility expansion, opening Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium for soccer and Jane Sage Cowles Stadium for softball in 2000, and Ridder Arena for hockey and the Baseline Tennis center for tennis in 2002. She also helped facilitate the building of the University Aquatic Center and the Sports Pavilion.
Ranked No. 22 on the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s list of Minnesota’s 100 Most Important Sports Figures of the Century, Voelz has been recognized around the nation for her work in collegiate athletics and her expertise and commitment on gender equity and Title IX. The winner of numerous local and national awards for her work in gender equity and women’s athletics, Voelz served as president of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators in 1991-92.
After her time at Minnesota, Voelz became a consultant and the leadership gift officer for the Women’s Sports Foundation, an educational nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by tennis legend Billie Jean King.
Prior to coming to Minnesota, Voelz was a senior associate athletics director at the University of Oregon. She was the head volleyball coach for the Ducks from 1987-85. During that time, Voelz also served as president of the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
Holder of a bachelor’s degree in education from Illinois State University and a master’s degree from Northern Illinois, Voelz played basketball, golf, volleyball and softball at the dawn of Illinois State’s intercollegiate women’s program.
Dennis Zacho
Men’s Hockey, Baseball, 1964-67
An elite multi-sport athlete and extraordinary team player, Dennis Zacho earned six letters in both baseball and hockey in three years of eligibility – a rare double feat. During his career, Zacho earned the honors of NCAA All-American, All-Big Ten, NCAA District All-Star Team, U of M Alumni Award of Outstanding Baseball Player and baseball captain.
On the baseball diamond during the 1965 season, Zacho, led the team in batting average (.397) and triples, and was second in home runs and doubles. During his senior season in 1967, Zacho earned First Team All-America and All-Big Ten honors as a hard-hitting first baseman. The team captain and member of the NCAA District All-Star Team, Zacho led the Golden Gophers in home runs (7), RBI (31) and slugging percentage (.621), and was second in batting average (.387). His slugging percentage led the Big Ten, while is batting average ranked fifth in the conference. For his efforts, the University of Minnesota Alumni awarded him with the Outstanding Baseball Player honor.
Zacho’s .397 and .387 batting averages were in the top 10 and 15 for over 40 years. The .397 was the 10th-best from 1947 to 1996.
A native of White Bear Lake, Minn., Zacho was also a member of the Golden Gopher hockey team from 1964-67. In the 1964-65 season, he notched 15 goals and eight assists as a sophomore. Zacho’s junior year he was sidelined the first half of the season due to a fractured anklebone, but managed to contribute six goals and nine assists. He came back strong during his senior season, scoring a total of 17 goals and 26 assists to finish second on the team in points.
A graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in political science, Zacho worked in the office equipment industry for 35 years before retiring in 2002. For over 30 of those years, he owned businesses in the office equipment and the marine industries. Zacho is also a member of the White Bear Lake Hall of Fame.
Legend Inductee Bios:
Larry Buhler
Football, 1936-38
A Golden Gopher football legend from the “golden years” of Minnesota football, Larry Buhler was the team’s leading scorer, a top backfield defender and a part-time punter during his career from 1936-38. With the Maroon and Gold, the fullback from Windom, Minn., posted a 4.8 career rushing average for the Bernie Bierman-led Golden Gophers.
As a sophomore in 1936, Buhler cracked the starting lineup, joining an elite group as sophomores rarely started for Bierman. During that season, after a game against Texas in which he had a big game, Longhorn head coach Jack Chevigny stated that Buhler was every bit as good as Bronko Nagurski was as a sophomore. That year, Buhler led the team in rushing and average yards per carry (6.66).
In 1938, Buhler earned Honorable Mention All-America honors, was voted the Chicago Tribune Gopher Most Valuable Player and was named MVP by his teammates. He also placed third in voting for the Big Ten MVP and was selected to play in the prestigious East-West Shrine game. During each year of his Minnesota career, Buhler finished second in the All-Big Ten Team voting to Wisconsin’s Howard Weiss, a unanimous All-American.
During the “golden years” of 1932-41, Buhler was the fourth-leading career rusher at Minnesota, behind only Pug Lund, Bruce Smith and Harold Van Every. He was also in the top 10 in career total points and 100-yard rushing games during this era.
Buhler became Minnesota’s second first-round NFL Draft pick in 1939 when the Green Bay Packers selected him with the ninth overall pick. He played three years in the NFL before retiring to Windom as a local hero to the residents of his hometown Upon his death in 1990, some friends suggested that a statue be made of Buhler “because Windom would probably never have anyone more famous.” The eight-foot-tall sculpture is situated on the courthouse lawn with Buhler in his 1938 MVP uniform, his football in one hand and helmet in the other as a proud reminder of a local legend.
Delver “Del” Daly
Men’s Gymnastics, 1939-41
In the 104-year history of University of Minnesota men’s gymnastics, only 11 Golden Gophers have captured an individual event NCAA Championship. Delver “Del” Daly became one of the Maroon and Gold’s first national champions in 1941 when he took home the flying rings title. Since then, only one other Golden Gopher – Ken Bartlett in 1953 – has captured an NCAA crown on the rings.
Daly, a Minneapolis native, starred for the Maroon and Gold from 1939, leading Minnesota to top five NCAA finishes in three consecutive national meets. In 1939, he won the Big Ten flying rings title to help the Golden Gophers to a runner-up finish at the conference championships. At the NCAA meet, Daly captured his first career All-America accolade with a third-place finish in the high bar. His showing helped Minnesota finish fifth in the nation that season.
During the 1940 campaign, Daly paced the Golden Gophers to their seventh Big Ten Championship, becoming only the sixth Minnesota gymnast to capture the Big Ten all-around crown. The Maroon and Gold then parlayed its conference title into a third-place showing at the NCAA Championships.
As a co-captain, Daly wrapped up his career at Minnesota in 1941 as the Golden Gophers finished as runners-up at both the Big Ten and NCAA Championships. Daly added another national title and All-America honor to his list of accomplishments, taking home the flying rings championship.
Daly graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in education and was inducted into the Minneapolis Edison High School Hall of Fame. He served in the Navy during World War II, where he was a Communications Officer aboard three different ships, and was released from duty in December 1945. Daly remained involved with the U.S. Naval Ready Reserve and was recalled to active duty in August 1951 during the Korean War. He retired from the Navy Reserve in 1979 with the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Daly taught physical education at St. Louis Park for 37 years, retiring in 1983. Daly was active in the teacher union movement and served a number of terms as President of the St. Louis Park Federation of Teachers.
Sigmund “Sig” Harris
Football, 1902-04
A University of Minnesota football legend, Sigmund Harris was the Gophers’ All-American quarterback for the powerful teams under Dr. Henry L. Williams in 1902, ’03, and ’04. A plucky 145-pound blocking back, punter, punt returner and defensive safety, Harris played a critical role in the famed Little Brown Jug game between Minnesota and Michigan in 1903.
During the 1902 season, his first year as the starting quarterback, Minnesota finished with a 9-2-1 record, posting shutouts in all but three games. The following two seasons, Harris called all of his team’s plays as the sideline coach was restricted from calling plays during college football’s early years.
In 1903, Harris helped the Gophers win a share of the Western Conference title with a 14-0-1 record as Minnesota out-scored its opponents 618-12. Minnesota’s 6–6 tie with Michigan on Oct. 31, 1903, was the only game neither team won that season, and it was the contest that inaugurated The Little Brown Jug rivalry that continues to this day. Harris keyed on Michigan’s All-American running back Willie Heston, making a number of crucial tackles through the course of the game.
A Dubuque, Iowa native, Harris wrapped up his Gopher career in 1904 by leading Minnesota to a 13-0 season to capture a second consecutive co-Western Conference championship. During the season, the Maroon and Gold out-scored its opponents 725-12 with Nebraska notching the only opponent points on the season in a 16-12 contest.
Also of note, Harris is largely considered responsible for Minnesota landing Gopher football legend Bobby Marshall, the first African American football player at the University of Minnesota. Neighborhood friends and stars at Minneapolis Central High School, Harris and Marshall caught the eye of Williams during a 0-0 tie between the Gophers and Central to open the 1900 season. Harris came to the U of M in 1901, followed by Marshall in the fall of 1903.
Following graduation, Harris signed on as the sole assistant coach and held that position until 1920. Harris would subsequently become a fixture around the Gopher football program deep into the 20th century. He even served as a substitute head coach for a game in 1922 when Williams suddenly took ill.
Harris also was called upon by Head Coach Bernie Bierman to give locker room pep talks to the Golden Gophers before Michigan games during the 1930s, reminding the team of the Little Brown Jug. He would return to coaching for a brief time, but he was devoted full-time to the machinery business that he founded in 1905 and continued to head until his death in 1964.
Courtesy: University of Minnesota
