Roosevelt Hall of Fame
Celebrating Minneapolis Roosevelt Teddy athletes and their remarkable achievements.
If you know of an athlete that deserves recognition please contact us with details
John Thomas
Sport: Basketball
Years at Roosevelt: 1989-1993
Accomplishments:
- Team Captain 1992-93
- Minneapolis City Conference Champions
- 1,000 Career Point Scorer
College: University of Minnesota 1993-1997
Accomplishments:
- Team Captain, 1997 NCAA Tournament Final Four
Professional Playing Career: 1997–2013
- Selected by the New York Knicks as the 25th pick in the 1997 NBA draft
Other NBA Teams:
- Boston Celtics
- Toronto Raptors
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Atlanta Hawks
- New Jersey Nets
Reed Larson
Sport: Hockey
Years at Roosevelt: 1972-1974
Accomplishments:
- 1974 MN Mr Defense, 1974 MN State Tournament
College: University of Minnesota 1974-1976
Accomplishments:
- NCAA Champions 1976
NHL:
- Drafted By Detroit Red Wings NHL – 1976 (#22 Overall)
- 10 seasons with Detroit Red Wings: 1976-90
- 3 NHL All-Star games
- Played in 904 regular season NHL games
- Became first American player to score more than 200 goals
- Elected to United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996
Rob Mestas
Sport: Basketball
Years at Roosevelt: 1991-1995
Accomplishments:
- Minnesota Mr Basketball 1995
- 1,000 Career Point Scorer
College:
Miami University (Ohio) 1995-2000
Accomplishments:
- No. 3 on Miami's Career Leaders for Assists: 438
Coaching:
Roosevelt Boys Basketball 2012-2018
Burnsville Boys Basketball 2018-2020
Tom Nordland
Sport: Basketball
Years at Roosevelt: 1953-1957
Accomplishments:
- Minnesota State Tournament Champions 1956 & 1957
- MN All-State Team
- MN State Tournament Top Scorer
- Inducted into the Minnesota Basketball Hall of Fame 2020
College:
Standford 1957-1961
Career:
Developed and taught the "Swish" method of shooting by creating 3 highly-acclaimed SWISH instructional videos & a coaches eBook still sold worldwide
Marcus LeVesseur
Sport: Wrestling, Football, Track & Field
Years at Roosevelt: 1996-2000
Accomplishments:
- 141-match win streak
- Holds the high school wrestling state record for most wins
- Won 4 State Titles (3 while at Roosevelt)
College: Augsburg University
Accomplishments:
- Undefeated & untied, with a record of 155–0
- Won four NCAA Division III Championships individually, and a member of two teams that won National Championships
- Awarded the Wade Schalles Award for Best Collegiate Pinner 2005
- Amateur wrestling record of 296–0 through his senior year at Augsburg
Professional Career:
- MMA debut in 2003 against Doug Henkey. He won via KO 44 seconds into round one and went on to compile a record of 21-5 while competing for regional promotions
- MMA Record: 29 matches, 22 wins, 7 losses
- Ultimate Fighting Championships: 1 win, 2 losses
Mike Ramsey
Sport: Hockey
Years at Roosevelt: 1974-78
Accomplishments:
- 30 goals and added 27 assists in 26 games as a Senior
- State Tournament 1978
- Named Top Defenseman of MSHSL 1977-78
College:
University of Minnesota: 1979
Accomplishments:
- NCAA National Championship in 1979 as a freshman
Career:
- Selected 11th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1979 NHL draft
- Youngest member of the U.S. Olympic team that won the gold medal in 1980 in Lake Placid, N.Y.
- 4-time NHL All-Star
- Minnesota Wild assistant coach for eight seasons
- Inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001
Greg Larson
Sport: Football, Basketball
Years at Roosevelt: 1953-1957
Accomplishments:
- MN State Champion - Football
- MN State Champion - Basketball
- MN All-State Team - Basketball
- MN State Tournament Top Rebounder - Basketball
College:
University of Minnesota 1957-1961
Accomplishments:
- Captain of Big Ten Champion team
- Played in 1961 Rose Bowl Game vs Washington
- Inducted into M Club Hall of Fame 2010
Career:
- Drafted by New York Giants
- Started for 13 Seasons (missed only 3 games)
- Offensive Captain from 1968-1973
- Started at 3 positions -Guard, Tackle & Center in 3 NFL Championship games
- All-Pro selection 1966, Pro-Bowl game 1967
Greg Wicklund
Sport: Tennis
Years at Roosevelt: 1973-1977
Accomplishments:
- High School record: 43 wins, 1 loss
- MN State #1 Ranking in Singles
College:
University of Minnesota 1978-1981
Accomplishments:
- 4-year letter winner
- Big Ten Singles Champion 1981
- Led team to first Big Ten Championship in 72 years
- NTA Player of the Year
- 2-time USPTA Player of the Year
Career:
- Assistant Coach for Minnesota 1982-1988
- Led Gophers to 2 Big Ten Team Championships, 2 Runner-Up Titles. #9 National Ranking in 1986
- Ranked 1st in USTA Northern: Men’s Open Singles & Doubles 4 times
- World Ranking of #482
- Won the Houston Open
- Won Northwest Tennis Association Player of the Year Award
- Tennis Director & Head Pro at the Edina Country Club for 38 years
- Won USTA Northern Bob Larson Media Award 2005
- Won Super Category II National Tournament - 50s Singles 2009
- Named USTA Northern Frank Voigt Pro of the Year 2010
- USTA Senior National Singles Champion in 2010
More about Greg's tennis history here
Bob Johnson
Sport: Coach, Hockey & Baseball
Years at Roosevelt: 1958-1961
Accomplishments:
- Coached Teddy Hockey to four Minneapolis City titles in six seasons
College:
University of Minnesota
Coaching:
Roosevelt Hockey
Colorado College Hockey 1963-1966
University of Wisconsin Hockey 1966-1982
Accomplishments:
- Earned seven NCAA bids in his 15 years at Wisconsin, NCAA titles in 1973, 1977, and 1981, as well as finishing second in 1982
- Named the NCAA Coach of the Year in 1977, as Wisconsin swept the WCHA regular season, playoff, and NCAA tournament titles
- These years cemented the "Badger" nickname, which he would carry with him for the rest of his career
U.S. Olympic Head Coach, 1976
Calgary Flames Head Coach, 1982
Pittsburgh Penguins Head Coach, 1991 - Won Stanley Cup
Fortune Gordien
Sport: Track & Field
Years at Roosevelt: 1938-1941
MN State Meet Record-Discus: 1941
State Champ: 1940 Discus, 1941 Discus, Shot Put
College:
University of Minnesota: 1946-48
Accomplishments:
- Led the Gophers to their first-ever NCAA track and field national championship, the follow-up to their third-place finish the previous year. In the successful team-title campaign, Gordien won his third consecutive NCAA discus title.
- four-time All-American and a three-time Big Ten champion
Career:
- An American discus thrower and shot putter who set four world records in the discus throw. He competed in this event at the 1948, 1952 and 1956 Olympics and placed third, fourth and second, respectively. At the 1955 Pan American Games he won a gold medal in the discus and a silver in the shot put.
- Domestically Gordien won six AAU and three NCAA titles. According to the Guinness Book of Track and Field: Facts and Feats, the smallest crowd ever to see a world record may have been 48, the number attending a Pasadena, California all-comers track meet in 1953 when Gordien set his last world record that stood for six years.
- In the 1950s, Gordien had a few minor roles in films and TV series, including The Cisco Kid (1950), The Egyptian (1954), Not for Hire (1959) and North to Alaska (1960).
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1948 London Discus throw
Silver medal – second place 1956 Melbourne Discus throw
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1955 Mexico City Discus throw
Silver medal – second place 1955 Mexico City Shot put
Gordien was inducted to the Helms Hall of Fame in 1953, and into the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1979
Ray Christensen
Sport: Broadcaster
Years at Roosevelt: 1941-1945
College:
University of Minnesota: 1945-49
Professional Career:
- Play-by-play announcer for the Minnesota Golden Gophers sports teams from 1951 until 2001
- Inducted into the Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame 2002
- Christensen also worked games for the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings, and Minneapolis Lakers.
Bill Kuusisto
Sport: Football
Years at Roosevelt:
College:
University of Minnesota: 1937-39
University of Wisconsin
Accomplishments:
National champion-1940
Second-team All-Big Ten-1940
Career:
- Drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the eighth round of the 1941 NFL draft
- Played professionally for six seasons
- NFL champion-1944
- Was also a professional wrestler
Ron Docken
Sport: Hockey
Years at Roosevelt: 1964-66
Accomplishments:
- 1966 - MN High School State Tournament - All State Tourney Selection
- 1966 Minnesota High School Athlete of the Year
College:
University of Minnesota 1967-1970
Career:
- Signed by a minor league professional team, the Johnstown Jets 1971, where he played over 200 games in the crease as the Jets 'goal robber'.
- 1971-78 - Johnstown Jets - (Minor League Professional
- 1977 - Charlestown Chiefs - Backup Goalie for the Chiefs
- 1978-80 - Long Beach Sharks and Johnstown Wings
- Was an extra in the movie Slapshot, starring Paul Newman
Sheila O'Dougherty
Sport: Table Tennis
Years at Roosevelt: 1971-1975
College:
University of Minnesota 1976-1980
Accomplishments:
- National College Champion table tennis player 1976, 1977, 1978
Career:
- National College Champion table tennis player 1976, 1977, 1978
- Member of USA Table Tennis Team, #1 player
- Represented the US in Novi Sad at the 1981 World Championships as the top qualifier
- Won Gold Medal (Table Tennis) in 1983 Pan-American Games
- Served on US Olympic Board of Directors
Sports Governance and Management:
- 1984-1992: first table tennis athlete representative to the US Olympic Committee Athletes Advisory Council
- 1984-1992: Member of US Olympic Committee Board of Directors, Olympic Foundation Board of Trustees, Budget and Audit Committee, and Ethics Committee
- 1986-1992: Treasurer of the U.S Table Tennis Association
- 1987: Head of Delegation for the US National Junior Team friendship tour of China.
- 1991: Athlete representative for U.S. Team at Winter World University Games in Sapporo, Japan
- 1991: International Olympic Academy Contributor in Olympus, Greece
Honorable Mention
Minneapolis Roosevelt Athletes with Noteworthy Accomplishments
Al Gowans, Coach - Football
Coached Teddy football 1937-1953, Won three Mpls City Championships and the Minnesota State
Championship in 1956. Al Gowans Field named for him at Roosevelt High. Was a standout football player at Cornell College. Third team All State Guard, 1920, All Conference Guard, 1921 and 1922, Second team All State Guard, 1921 and 1922, Captain of football team, 1922. He served as the head football coach at Des Moines University in Des Moines, Iowa from 1926 to 1928 and Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota from 1930 to 1936.[1] Gowans was also the head basketball coach at Macalester in 1936–37
John C "Jack" Wells, Principal, Coach
Was Roosevelt's principal for 17 years. Was also a teacher and coach during his career. He served on the Minnesota State Athletic Commission. Jack Wells Gymnasium at Roosevelt was named after him.
Dennis Stockmo, Athletic Director
A long-time Athletic Director at Roosevelt responsible for building and expanding the sports programs for 39 years, 1982-2021. Before becoming Athletic Director coached Football, Basketball and Baseball. A Teddy graduate (1978) and athlete (football & basketball). Played basketball for Augsburg University.
Bob Lindberg, Hockey
An American retired ice hockey left wing and coach who was a two-time All-American for Colorado College and played in three separate World Championships. Graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1963. He was a member of Bob Johnson's first recruiting class and began playing with the varsity club the following year. He played for the following teams: Johnstown Jets, Fort Wayne Komets, Lausanne HC, EHC Biel, ZSC Lions.
Lloyd Hollingsworth, Football, Baseball, Gymnastics
Attended Gustavus Adolphus, where he earned 11 varsity letters in football, baseball, and gymnastics. After graduating in 1936, he coached as high schools in Clinton, Madison, and Waseca, Minnesota. He returned to Gustavus Adolphus in 1942 as athletic director and head coach in football, basketball, and baseball.
He served three stints as the head football coach at Gustavus Adolphus College, in 1942, from 1946 to 1950, and from 1952 to 1960, compiling a record of 94–33–5.
Frank Kleckner, Tennis.
Won MN State High School Tennis Singles in 1960. Played for the University of Minnesota Gophers where he became Big Ten tennis champion. Roosevelt Class of 1961.
Ron Naslund, Hockey
Led Roosevelt to the 1961 State Tournament. First team All-State hockey player who starred for Denver University and won a Silver Medal at the 1972 Olympics in Japan. Class of 1961.
Bart Larson, Hockey
Played on the 1959 North Dakota team that captured the school's first national championship. Coached Edina High School leading them to the State Championship in 1982 and 1997.
Earle Solomonson, Basketball, Football, 1965
Starred in basketball and football for Roosevelt, earned Top Scorer in Mpls City Conference Basketball, 1965. He served as the head football coach at North Dakota State University from 1985 to 1986 (won NCAA Division II Championship 1985 & 1986) and at Montana State University from 1987 to 1991, compiling a career college football head coaching record of 39–42–1. More
Steve Lundeen, Basketball, Football, 1965
A member of the Gopher Big Ten championship team in 1967 after a great career at Roosevelt.
Wayne Courtney, Coach - Basketball
Coached Roosevelt to back-to-back state basketball championships in 1956 and 1957. In Minnesota High School Basketball Hall of Fame.
John Werket, Speedskating
Inducted into the National Speedsakers Hall of Fame. From 1948 to 1950, Werket was a top 1,500-meter speed skater in world skating championships. In 1952, John won silver in both the 500m and 1500m, giving him ten World Championship medals in all. In 1967 he served as the World Team coach for the US national team. He coached world-class athletes Diane Holum and Anne Henning (two gold medal-winning skaters at the 1972 Olympics in Sapporo, Japan).
Ken Exel, Basketball, 1939
Was an American professional basketball player. He played for the Oshkosh All-Stars, Syracuse Nationals, and Minneapolis Lakers in the National Basketball League during the 1940s. More
Curtis "Wally" Kersten, Football
Is a former American football tackle. He played for the Los Angeles Rams in 1982. NFL draft: 1982 / round: 5 / pick: 117
Don Riley, Sportswriter
Was an American sportswriter at the St. Paul Pioneer Press newspaper covering Minnesota sports, from 1943 to 1988 through his "Eye Opener" column. He joined the Pioneer Press after high school. During his time there, he gained a reputation of agitating Green Bay Packers fans.
Bill St Mane, Hockey
Was a fixture in the south Minneapolis athletic area, providing teams with uniforms and equipment, often at cost as his store (St Mane Sporting Goods) since 1958. He is in the Minneapolis Hockey Hall of Fame and was past president of the Lions Club.
Dave Mona, Public Relations, Writer
Class of 1961. He set the standard for over 30 years as a radio, television and newspaper reporter, public relations rep, media personality and community leader. He brought major sports events to Minnesota and served as President of the U of M Alumni Association.
Sammy Morgan, Wrestling
A retired American mixed martial artist. A professional from 2001-2008, he competed for the UFC, was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 2 and also fought in the Strikeforce, EliteXC, King of the Cage, and Shooto promotions. Made his professional debut in 2001 and compiled a record of 16-6 with notable wins over Aaron Riley and Duane Ludwig before becoming a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 2. Nicknamed the Squeeze.
Pat Westrum, Hockey & Football
A stand out hockey and football player at Roosevelt. Was an All State football player for Roosevelt. Played hockey for the Teddies from 1964-1966, made it to the State Tournament 1966. Attended the University of Minnesota - 1967-1970 and was Captain of the hockey team - 1970, and the team won the WCHA Championship - 1970. Played on the USA National Team - 1970-71 & 1978. Professional Hockey Career - Birmingham Bulls (WHA), Calgary Cowboys (WHA), Minnesota Fighting Saints (WHA). Minnesota Hockey District 6 Coach in Chief, USA Hockey Educational Program, NHL Scout - Montreal, 2016 Minnesota Hockey Ted Brill Award.
Roosevelt Baseball
Members of the Roosevelt Baseball varsity team were part of the 1987 Minnesota VFW Baseball State Championship team (VFW Post #1149 - Minneapolis). They defeated Mankato marking the only time in its history wherein a team from Minneapolis won the Minnesota State title in VFW Baseball. That year the team went undefeated, 23-0 and was comprised of RHS graduates from 1988-1990. Most went on to play Varsity baseball for RHS and some played Division II & III collegiate baseball.
Eugene Sandvig, Speed Skating, 1949
Skated in the Olympics (1952, 1956, 1960), U.S. National Champion (1958), North American Champion (1959). Appointed to U.S. Olympic Congress (10 years), served as general manager of the 1976 U.S. Olympic team.
Flenn Seidel, Football, 1932
Started as quarterback on four successive Golden Gophers national championship football teams that were undefeated in 1933, 1934, and 1935, and was captain of the 1935 football team.
Notable School Accomplishments
State Titles
2025 MN State Champion-Mountain Biking JV2D1: Jonah Holliday
2024 MN State Champions-Adapted Soccer
2023 MN State Champions-Adapted Soccer
2023 MN State Champion-Mountain Biking 8thD2: Ben Tesch
2022 MN State Champions-Adapted Bowling
2020 MN State Champions-Adapted Track
2019 MN State Champions-Adapted Track
2004 MN State Champions-Adapted Soccer
2003 MN State Champions-Adapted Soccer
2000 MN State Champion-Wrestling: Marcus LeVesseur
1999 MN State Champion-Wrestling: Marcus LeVesseur
1998 MN State Champion-Wrestling: Marcus LeVesseur
1991 MN State Champion-Wrestling-275: Billy Pierce
1990 MN State Champion-Wrestling-275: Billy Pierce
1988 MN State Champion-Wrestling-112: Jerry Martin
1988 MN State Champion-Wrestling-145: Derek Jones
1987 MN State Champion-Wrestling-98: Jerry Martin
1987 MN State Champions (team comprised of RHS athletes): VFW Baseball
1987 MN State Champion-Track-Triple Jump: Kris Medlock
1985 MN State Champion-Track-Long Jump: Terri Mayfield
1969 MN State Champion-Track-High Hurdles: Danny Carpenter
1966 MN State Champion-Badminton: Shirley Dahl
1965 MN State Champion-Track-High Jump: John Gipner
1964 MN State Champion-Track-Pole Vault: George Mitshulis
1964 MN State Champion-Track-440 yard dash: Tom Christenson
1963 MN State Champions: Boys Golf
1963 MN State Champion-Golf: Tom Huber
1962 MN State Champion-Track-High Jump: Warren Scamp
1962 MN State Champion-Track-Pole Vault: John Dyjack
1962 MN State Champion-Track-Shot Put: Mike Chadwick
1960 MN State Champion-Tennis-Singles: Frank Kleckner
1960 MN State Champions: Boys Golf
1959 MN State Champion-Swimming-100 Breast Stoke: Virgil Luken
1959 MN State Champion-Tennis Singles: Frank Kleckner
1959 MN State Champion-Track-Half Mile: Dick Uphoff
1958 MN State Champions: Boys Golf
1958 MN State Champions: Boys Cross Country
1957 MN State Champions: Boys Basketball
1957 MN State Champion-Golf: Rolf Deming
1956 MN State Champions: Football
1956 MN State Champions: Boys Basketball
1956 MN State Champion-Golf: Rolf Deming
1955 MN State Champion-Swimming-Freestyle Relay: Kruger, Schwartz, Morreim, Diede
1954 MN State Champion-Track-440: Dick Larson
1954 MN State Champion-Track-880 Relay: Sievers, Jackson, Folven, Larson
1953 MN State Champion-Swimming-100 Back Stroke: O'Niel Sween
1952 MN State Champion-Cross Country: Saxe Roberts
1952 MN State Champion-Swimming-100 Back Stroke: O'Niel Sween
1952 MN State Champion-Swimming-150 Medley Relay: Sween, Botko, Fox
1946 MN State Champion-120 yard Hurdles: Jim Nielsen
1945 MN State Champion-120 yard Hurdles: Jim Nielsen
1945 MN State Champion-Golf: Charles Stenvig
1944 USGA MN State Prep Champion: Charles Stenvig
1944 USGA MN State Junior Champion: Charles Stenvig
1944 MN State Champions: Boys Cross Country
1941 MN State Champion-Discus: Fortune Gordien
1941 MN State Champion-Shot Put: Fortune Gordien
1940 MN State Champion-Discus: Fortune Gordien
1938 MN State Champion-120 Hurdles: Lenny Hegle
1936 MN State Champion-Long Jump: Lloyd Parsons
1936 MN State Champion-Javelin: Lloyd Parsons
1933 MN State Champion-Track-880: Clifford Anderson
1926 MN State Champion-Track-440: Arnold Anderson
1926 MN State Champion-220 yard Low Hurdles: Floyd Edridge
1926 MN State Champions: Boys Cross Country
1925 MN State Champion-Track-880: Arnold Anderson
1925 MN State Champion-Cross Country: Arne Olson
1925 MN State Champions: Boys Cross Country
Basketball
Minneapolis Roosevelt 1,000 Career Point Scorers
Obie Esparza - 2025
Calvin Peterson - 2025
Cady Davis - 2023
Olivia Wren - 2022
Jaida Walker - 2022
Elijah Hannah Jr - 2018
Tyneka Cage - 2012
Tyesha Wright - 2010
Suriya McGuire - 2010
Kiara Strickland - 2007
Stavon Williams - 2006
Rob Mestas - 1995
Anessa Brittain - 1993
John Thomas - 1993
Don Phillips - 1991
Al Coleman - 1974
Cady Davis 1,000 point scorer - 2023
Elijah Hannah Jr 1,000 point scorer - 2018
Suriya McGuire 1,000 point scorer - 2009
Rob Mestas 1,000 point scorer - 1995
Don Phillips 1,000 point scorer - 1991
Calvin Peterson 1,000 point scorer - 2025
Jaida Walker 1,000 point scorer - 2022
Tyneka Cage 1,000 point scorer - 2012
Kiara Strickland 1,000 point scorer - 2007
Anessa Brittain 1,000 point scorer - 1993
Al Coleman 1,000 point scorer - 1974
Obie Esparza 1,000 point scorer - 2025
Olivia Wren 1,000 point scorer - 2022
Tyesha Wright 1,000 point scorer - 2009
Stavon Williams 1,000 point scorer - 2006
John Thomas 1,000 point scorer - 1993
2025 Athena Award winner Ana Cecilia Walker
2024 Athena Award winner Cady Davis
2023 Athena Award winner Ava Maly
2022 Athena Award winner Maya Riechert-Giron
