ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - Augustana College is proud to announce the 2027 inductees to the Tribe of Vikings Hall of Fame. This newest class includes four athletes, one coach, and one team.

 

John Benedetti '00, Melissa (Rindler) Dichsen '91, Glen Heiden '79, and Gary Fairchild '74 are the four athletes to be inducted. Benedetti was a dual-sport athlete, playing baseball and men's basketball, who went on to be drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2000 MLB Draft. Dichsen was a two-time All-CCIW selection for the women's basketball team who still ranks top-10 in the record book in career field goals made and blocks. Heiden starred for the men's basketball team during his tenure, earning two CoSIDA/CSC Academic All-American honors and remains fourth in career points-per-game. As for Fairchild, the football alumni and his 1,912 career receiving yards ranks second in the record book and he left Augustana as the all-time leader in receptions. 

 

Dennis Riccio is the coaching selection for this year's class. At Augustana, he served as both an assistant coach for the football team during their run to four straight championships as well as the head men's wrestling coach, where he compiled 63 wins. 

 

The class is rounded out by the 1975 men's track and field team, which placed second in that season's NCAA Outdoor Championships and featured two national champions, four All-Americans, and seven CCIW champions. 

 

The 2027 Tribe of Vikings Hall of Fame induction event takes place on January 31, 2027, at 1 p.m. at the Gerber Center.

 

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