General | 07/20/22 | 11:30 AM

HELENA, Mont. – The Carroll College Athletic Department is proud to announce the newest cohort of members to be inducted into the Carroll Athletics Hall of Fame, as well as the 2022 recipient of the Warren L. Nelson Award. The group will be honored at the annual induction ceremony on Saturday, September 24 as part of homecoming weekend festivities.

"The Hall of Fame induction ceremony is always one of the most special events at Carroll each year," Said Charlie Gross, Carroll College Athletic Director. "I'm very excited to recognize this outstanding group of inductees. The Hall of Fame induction is always a highlight of each homecoming week."

Nominations have been received over the course of the past year, reviewed, and voted on by the Carroll Athletics Hall of Fame committee. This year's Hall of Fame class of inductees includes six individuals, as well as two teams and are listed below in alphabetical order.

Andy Fjeseth – Football: Fjeseth is one of the most decorated players in Carroll Football history. He was named All-Conference for the Frontier Conference, as well as an NAIA All-American. Fjeseth was named the 2010 Rimington Award winner for the NAIA, presented annually to the premier center in each division of collegiate football.

Chad Vaculin – Men's Basketball: Vaculin finished his Carroll career as one of the top scorers in Saints MBB history. He was a valuable Freshman on the 2005-06 team that won a program-best 30 games. Vaculin was twice named as a Frontier Conference All-Conference selection, as well as being named an NAIA All-American Honorable Mention.

Christina Eichler (Smetana) - Volleyball: Eichler is one of the most decorated spikers in Carroll history. She was named to the All-Frontier Conference team three times, and in addition was named the 2009 Frontier Conference Player of the Year. In 2009 she was named to the NAIA All-American team.

Gary Wagner – Football: Wagner was a 3-year starter at quarterback for the Saints. He led Carroll to a semifinal appearance in 2009, and an undefeated NAIA National Title in 2010. He was named offensive MVP of the National Championship game in 2010, Frontier Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year, and was a finalist for the NAIA Player of the Year.

Shannon Flynn – Track, Cross Country, Volleyball, Basketball: Flynn, the current Cross Country and Track & Field Distance Coach for the Saints, was a multi-sport standout during her college years. After playing volleyball and basketball for her first four years, she qualified for the national meets in both cross-country and indoor track & field, where she was named an All-American for her performance in the 800 meters.

Tom Dolan – Football: Dolan is one of the best Linebackers to ever step on the field as a Saint. He was part of four Frontier Conference Champion teams, and two NAIA National Champions. In back-to-back seasons in 2009 and 2010, Dolan was named First Team All-Conference and Frontier Conference Defensive Player of the Year. In addition to the conference honors, he was named First Team NAIA All-American in 2010.

2001 Volleyball Team: The 2001 Saints Volleyball Team goes down as one of the most dominant in program history. Led by Hall of Famers Natalie Horne (Conroy), Mary Lester, and Michelle Mattson (Bisch), the team won both the Frontier Conference regular season and conference tournament titles en-route to a final ranking of 13 in the NAIA.

2009 Football Team: The 2009 Football Team boasted one of the best offenses in Carroll history, averaging nearly 36 points per game. They finished the Frontier Conference season as the undefeated conference champions, led by 2022 Hall of Fame inductees Wagner, Fjeseth, and Dolan, and advanced to the NAIA Semifinals.

The Warren L. Nelson Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Carroll College Athletic Department. The award was established in 1986 to honor Mr. Nelson for his support of Carroll Athletics. The award is intended to recognize individuals who have exemplified the unselfish goodness of Warren Nelson in assisting, promoting, and otherwise supporting Carroll Athletics.

2022 Warren L. Nelson Award recipient – Grant Hanson: Grant Hanson has provided many years of service to the Carroll Athletic department, capturing many of the most memorable images in school history. Countless hours spent photographing and documenting moments that will last a lifetime for fans and athletes alike. Mr. Hanson truly embodies the spirit of Mr. Nelson, and will be recognized for his great contributions to Carroll College Athletics.

Further information about the 2022 Hall of Fame ceremony, including detailed biographies on each inductee, as well as ticket information to the event will be available in August. To nominate future Hall of Fame candidates, please click this link.