Hall of Champions History
History of the Hall of Champions
The Hall of Champions made its debut in the fall of 2000 with the opening of the Taylor Center. It was designed to reflect the University's history as well as its vision for the future. Reflecting back to the school's founding in 1868, the Hall of Champions included memorabilia and documents associated with life on campus, academics, athletics, student organizations, and much more. Collecting and identifying content for the original cases was a challenge, because the University Archives did not have a tradition of collecting memorabilia. Much of the case content was donated specifically for the Hall of Champions by alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the University. The original design and implementation of this project was done by Kris Conners, Starr Kirklin, President Richard Rush, Shandwick International and their design firm Prospera.
Since 2000, the University Archives at Minnesota State University, Mankato has been responsible for maintenance of the exhibit. This has included routine cleaning of the cases, preservation of materials, updating of select materials, and other routine activities.
In 2011, under direction from President Richard Davenport, the Office of Integrated Marketing met with University Archives staff to develop a plan for significant updating of the Hall of Champions content and cases.
Under the direction of Archives Technician Anne Stenzel, the cases received a complete overhaul during the 2012 spring semester. This involved working with many campus departments and units. The ideas and content provided by offices such as Athletics, Student Activities, and Theater and Dance was invaluable to the success of the project. The Archives Graduate Assistant and student workers were also active participants in the "new" Hall of Champions. Their creative ideas and student point-of-view added significantly to the project.
While the cases still reflect the history of the University back to its time as a Normal School, there is much more emphasis on the University today. They reflect the "Big Ideas, Real World Thinking" that is occurring on campus.
The University Archives plans to update two cases each year to keep the exhibit more relevant to the University community.
Project Contributors (2011-2012)
University Archives - Library Services
Daardi Sizemore, Archives and Special Collections Librarian
Anne Stenzel, Archives Technician
Heather Harren, Archives Graduate Assistant
Derek Barlage, Student Assistant
Eric Perrine, Student Assistant
Jamie Olson, Student Assistant
Elizabeth Lohrenz, Student Assistant
Leslie Peterson, Assistant to the Dean of Library Services
Michele Throldahl, Department Secretary, Library Services
Integrated Marketing
Jeff Iseminger, Assistant Vice President for Integrated Marketing
Lucette Hurley, Advancement Operations
Sara Frederick, Director of Content-Publications/TODAY Magazine
Other MSU Contributors
Robert Harris, General Repair Worker, Taylor Center
Jen Guyer-Wood, Alumni Relations
Paul Allan, Athletics
Greg Wilkins, Student Activities
Carrie Uecker, Barnes and Noble - Campus Bookstore
Sheila Hughes, Barnes and Noble - Campus Bookstore
Eric Hoffmann, Graphic Services
Kris Higginbotham, Graphic Services
Wendy Johnston, Graphic Services
Mike Eccles, Sign Shop
Kevin Morgan, Electrician Supervisor
Matt Clay, Information and Technology Services
Damon Whitcomb, Information and Technology Services
Off-Campus Contributors
Brian Fowler, Quality 1 Hour Photo/Sport Pix, Mankato
Sign Pro Custom Signs and Graphics, North Mankato
Shane Anderson, South Central Glass, Mankato
Gary Harrington, Modern Plastics Designs, Madison, WI
Wendy Atherton, National Recognition Products, Mankato
Arin Barnett, National Recognition Products, Mankato
Project Contributors (1999-2000)
Kris Conners, Project Director
Starr Kirklin
President Richard Rush
Shandwick International
Prospera
