2016 Hall of Fame Inductees

Jim Augustin: Jim graduated from St. James High School in 1972 as part of one of the most decorated and known athletic years in Saints history. As a Saint, Jim excelled in wrestling and football. On the mat, he contributed to two separate state finishes during the Minnesota State High School Wrestling Tournament. He was a team member of the 1969 state runner-up team and a major contributor to the 1972 state championship team. Individually he placed fifth in 1971 and grabbed a silver medal taking second place during the 1972 state championship run. Jim was also able to have the great opportunity and experience to wrestling internationally on the first Minnesota Cultural Exchange Team in Sweden and Finland during the summer of 1972. After high school, his wrestling career continued at Mankato State University as a three-year letter winner for the Mavericks.

Eldon Peterson: Eldon graduated from St. James High School in 1954. Eldon was a three-sport letter winner in football, basketball and baseball. As an athlete at St. James, Eldon had the opportunity to contribute on arguably the greatest Saint football team in history. The team went undefeated that year and was named the consensus state champion in 1953. For his outstanding football season, part of one of the greatest Saints backfields of Norm Anderson, Gerald Kintzi and Eldon Peterson was named honorable mention All-State in Minnesota. Eldon also starred on the state basketball team for Judge Veglahn going 17-8 on the season. In the spring of 1954, he led the baseball team through Districts as champions but ended just a region final game victory away from making another state tournament that year.

Jim Chalin: During the early 1970s, the Saints athletic programs were hitting full stride in the gymnasiums and fields across the state of Minnesota. One of the main contributors to that success in baseball and basketball was Jim Chalin. Jim graduated from St. James High School in 1972. The 1971-72 school year has gone down as one of the most successful athletic years in our great storied past of athletic prowess. Jim lettered and starred in baseball and basketball most likely because he wore out many hoops in his day practicing his shot in Godahl, basketball was his place to shine. Arguably having the greatest outside shooting accuracy in Saints history cannot be seen in a record book. Unfortunately for Jim and the basketball teams of the past, the rules of the game did not allow for the famous three-point shot of today's game. If there was a three-point line in Jim's time on the court, he would still hold many of the basketball records to this day. Even without the extra point, Jim was a key contributor to the greatest team in our history, the undefeated 1972 state champions.

Julie Plumhoff: Julie graduated from St. James High School in 1976. Julie was given the opportunity to show off her talents on the courts in volleyball and basketball along with on the track because the laws finally after many years of work for women equality in our country. Title IX laws in 1972 gave girls across the country the opportunity to compete in athletics opening the door for great athletes like Julie to compete just like the boys had been able to do for years. This allowed the Saints faithful fans the opportunity to watch and cheer on our first great female athlete in action. Julie shined for fellow Hall of Fame member from the Class of 2014, Coach Sharon Euerle in both volleyball and basketball. Julie was a major contributor to the early success of the Saint volleyball program on District championship teams of 1974 and 1975. Her captain leadership also showed on the basketball court. As captain for Coach Euerle's squads during the 1974-75 and 1975-76, Julie lead those teams to a 20-5 record in those early years of girls' basketball program for the Saints. Julie was awarded second team All-State to honor her outstanding talents on the basketball court.

Dwight Burman: If you were at a St. James wrestling match throughout these many years of success on the mat, you probably have many memories seeing Coach Burman barking out "Cornell" or "Bar it up" to countless wrestling from 1976-2013. But what many people do not realize, Coach Burman also helped Saint athletes improve in football, volleyball, track and softball. He spent a total of fifty-three separate seasons coaching for our Saint athletes. Dwight would also volunteer his talents to build countless amounts of sets for all of the differenct plays and musicals during his time teaching at St. James High School. But wrestling was where Dwight helped Head Coach Gene Hildebrandt the most. The two combined for a record of 386-114 (.772 winning percentage), two-time state champion (1989 and 1998), eight trips to the state tournament, and eighteen South Central Conference team championships to dominate the area wrestling mats. Coach Burman is a three-time section assistant coach of the year, state assistant coach of the year and received the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.

Floyd Wilkening: Floyd graduated from St. James High School in 1945. Floyd graduated with a total of eleven athletic letters as a Saint in baseball, basketball, football and track. As a Saint sprinter, Floyd participated in the 100, 220 and 440 races and qualified for state as part of the 880-yard relay team in 1942. Also in the spring, he played shortstop for the baseball team until joining the Navy in May of 1945 at the end of World War II. In the winter months, he captained the basketball team as their guard. The success he shared on the football team with fellow Hall of Fame - Class of 2014 - Ward Buchanan, as Floyd played quarterback and tailback for Coach Woerhle. Floyd went on to play some baseball and football at South Dakota State University.

Jane Dalen Miller: Jane graduated from St. James High School in 1982. As an athlete at St. James, Jane earned thirteen total athletic letters in volleyball, basketball, track and golf. Jane showed her leadership skills as co-captain in volleyball, basketball and track. In basketball, she was named oustanding defensive played and named to the All-South Central Conference team. She would then go on to excel in the spring in track and golf. Jane was apart of track team conference, districts and region championships. She was also a major contributor to the third place finish in the state tournament. Individually, she was a member of the three-time state champion relay team. As a senior, she was also named the most valuable athlete as she ended one of the best female athletic careers in school history.

Kory Andersen: Member of the 2001 sub-section champion team and 2002 baseball team as a first-baseman. Led the team in fielding percentage and most offensive categories as a senior. Member of the 2001 and team captain of 2002 track and field team. Conference champion, 2-time section champion, state runner-up and broke section record and still holds the Saint record in shot put. Also competed in discus and the 4 X 100 relay. Member of the 2001 conference and section champion and team captain of the 2002 conference champion wrestling team. Conference champion and 2-time section champion individual placing 4th place in the state as a junior and achieving the gold as a state champion in 2002. Kory was only taken down three times in his wresting career making him a dominant heavyweight for the Saints. He was the team captain for the 2002 football team playing defensive tackle and in the offensive line as he finished off his football career at Illinois State University.

Len Dalen: When Coach Dalen retired to his home in St. James, he stepped away from a long successful career as the long time boys golf coach for St. James High School. His thirty-year coaching career brought the Saints a South Central Conference title in 1971, regional championship, and numerous district championships.

Dennis Johnson: Awards and Honors: April 4, 1981 - City Council proclaimed Dennis Johnson Day for improving the recreation facilities of St. James and name the new field at the Fairgrounds Dennis Johnson Field. Received an award for organizing and operating the St. James Independent Basketball League from players and sponsors. April 3, 2003 - Received Distinguished Service Award from the Minnesota State High School Athletic Administrators Association for service to our school and community. December 15, 2006 - St. James High School official scorer award for 1,001 consecutive games scored. August 15, 2010 - Entered International Softball Congress (ISC Fastpitch) Hall of Fame for twenty-three years serving as commissioner of the Gopher State Softball League. 2010 - Inducted into the Minnesota Hall of Fame in recognition of superior performance and contribution to the sport of softball. 2013 - Entered Hall of Honor by Minnesota Basketball Coaches for long-term commitment and outstanding service to Basketball in Minnesota. From his time in St. James High School as a student manager, his love of sports such as football, basketball, baseball, fast pitch softball, wrestling and later girls sports never died. Dennis graduated from St. James High School in 1959. He graduated from Mankato State College in 1967 and spent six years in the Minnesota National Guard. He worked forty-nine years in their family hardware store. He has been able to travel and see all forty-eight contiguous states and seven Canadian provinces, through his softball travel to national and world tournaments. The most exciting sporting event for Dennis was the 1972 basketball team winning the Minnesota State Tournament. He has spent his retirement days being the caretaker of the Dennis Johnson Field at the Fairgrounds for thirty-five years.