UNK Inducts Magnuson Into Athletic Hall Of Fame

Five former student-athletes will be inducted into the Nebraska-Kearney Athletic Hall of Fame during ceremonies on Homecoming weekend this Oct. 11-12.

The 2024 Hall of Fame members are golfer Jen (Deines) Hansen ('02), runner Tom Magnuson ('95), wrestler Kurt Karjalainen ('01), outfielder David Pratt ('77) and setter Cola (Svec) Henderson ('11).

An O'Neill native, Magnuson joins former teammate and Hall of Fame inductee Bobby Brindamour as the only Lopers to be a three-time cross country All-American. On the track, he was part of four school records.

One of just 10 NCAA Division II UNK men's cross country All-Americans, he was part of one of the most successful team runs in school history. The Lopers finished national runner up in 1991, was third in 1992 and fourth in 1994. Part of the school's transition from independent status to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), Magnuson helped the 1994 team finish as region runners up and had the opportunity to run the NCAA Championships at Kearney Country Club that fall.

He still ranks in the UNK top five in the mile with the time (4:08.24) the school record for 18 years. Magnuson also held marks at two miles (9:27.40) and the 1,500 (3:52.20), is currently tied for seventh in the 1,000 (2:30.16) and was eighth in the 800-meter run at the 1995 NCAA Indoor Championships in Indianapolis.

While at O'Neill High School, Magnuson had an illustrious career as a four-time state medalist in Cross Country. His senior year in 1989 he finished as the Class B State Champion in Cross Country. In Track & Field, Magnuson was the 1989 and 1990 class B state champion in the 3200. He also finished 5th in the 1,600 in 1989 and was 4th in the 800 and 3rd in the 1,600 at the 1990 state track and field meet. He is a 1990 graduate of OHS and still holds the school record in the 3,200. Magnuson is also tied for the school record in the 800.

Magnuson resides in Omaha with his wife, Amy, and their children, Nolan and Laney. Amy also is a UNK graduate. Magnuson is President and General Manager of a K&M Telephone Company.

The Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, in the new Regional Engagement Center (Gala Rooms). 

(0) COMMENTS

Welcome to the discussion.