MITCHELL, S.D. — Dakota Wesleyan University Athletics has announced its inductees for the 2026 Tiger Hall of Fame class. This year’s group includes six total candidates, with five individuals being honored, alongside a historic DWU football team.
1992 Dakota Wesleyan Football Team – 10-1 Conference Champions
Under the guidance of legendary head coach Joe Kramer, the 1992 Dakota Wesleyan Football Team put together its most notable season to date, which culminated in winning the 1992 SDIC Football Conference Championship, and earning the only playoff appearance in the program’s history. The Tigers would put together a perfect 10-0 regular season in Mitchell and earn the right to host a first-round matchup in the 1992 NAIA Division II Football Playoffs, where they would fall to Minot State. On the field, the team was led by two-time All-American offensive tackle and 2012 DWU Athletics Hall-of-Famer Ron Bartels, alongside tight end Chris Twibell, who was also tabbed with All-American honors following the 1992 campaign. The historic 10-1 season stands as the program’s lone double-digit-win season in history and is included in DWU Football’s record of 18 consecutive regular season wins that spanned from 1991 through 1993.
Michael Lukkason, Baseball – Class of ’12 (Master’s ’14)
Standing as Dakota Wesleyan Baseball’s fourth-ever GPAC Player-of-the-Year, Michael Lukkason had a standout career during his time in Mitchell, South Dakota. The East Grand Forks (N.D.) native stood out at the end of his undergraduate studies both at the plate and as DWU’s shortstop on defense, being tabbed All-GPAC Honorable Mention at the end of the 2012 season. His senior campaign would see him slash .401/.458/.581 and contribute 67 hits, 43 RBIs, and five home runs throughout the year, earning him First Team All-GPAC and NAIA Honorable Mention All-American status alongside his Player-of-the-Year award. Lukkason appeared in 160 games for the Tigers and ended his career with 147 hits, 104 RBIs, eight home runs, and a .318 batting average.
Kim (Johnson) Dunn, Women’s Basketball – Class of ’14
Dunn served as a high-end, consistent scorer and athlete for the Tigers during her time as a Tiger and played a major role in helping revitalize Dakota Wesleyan Women’s Basketball under the then-fresh leadership of Jason Christensen. On the court, Dunn was a constant threat to opposing teams, racking up 1,345 total points during her career at DWU, placing her 17th on the program’s all-time scoring list. During the 2012-13 campaign, Dunn would average 18.5 points-per-game en route to earning First Team All-GPAC honors and was named NAIA Second Team All-American for her efforts. As a senior in the following season, Dunn was a bigger focus for opposing teams but was still able to average double-digit points-per-game and earn a spot on the 2014 GPAC All-Conference list as an Honorable Mention.
Brady Bonte, Football – Class of ’15
Bonte is a native of Garretson, South Dakota, and has been noted as one of Dakota Wesleyan Football’s top defensive players, both in recent memory and all-time history. The outside linebacker was a four-time All-GPAC competitor, earning Honorable Mention recognition as a freshman in 2012 before being named First Team All-Conference during his 2013, 2014, and 2015 seasons. In his four years as a Tiger, Bonte amassed 347 total tackles in his Dakota Wesleyan University career, alongside 71 tackles-for-loss, 23.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles, and three interceptions. He earned AFCA Second Team All-American honors to cap off his career following his senior season.
Trever DeVestern, Men’s Wrestling – Class of ’16
DeVestern stands as one of Dakota Wesleyan’s most successful student athletes in the 21st century. Out of Pearblossom, California, DeVestern almost immediately stood out in Mitchell as an explosive athlete that dominated opponents, reflected in his all-time program career falls record, recording 64 total pins as a Tiger, along with his career wins record, holding 120 overall with a winning percentage of 79.4%. He held steady as a feared opponent in the GPAC at the 157- and 165-pound weight classes and became a three-time All-American, placing seventh at the NAIA National Championships in 2013, fourth in 2014, and seventh again in 2016. DeVestern concluded his career as a two-time GPAC champion, three-time All-Conference performer, and holds the program’s single-season wins record with 41 recorded during his 2012 campaign.
Hailey Unger, Softball – Class of ’16
Unger was a crucial member of the Dakota Wesleyan Softball program during her four-year career, dominating both defensively as a catcher, and offensively as a hitter. The Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada native earned four consecutive First Team All-GPAC awards spanning from 2012 through 2016 and earned CoSIDA First Team Academic All-American honors to cap off her senior season. As a four-year starter, Unger tallied program career records of 172 hits, 102 RBIs, and 37 doubles, and had a notable 18 home runs in her DWU career. Behind the plate, she was able to catch 36 total runners during steal attempts in 158 games played. Unger served as one of the leading forces behind DWU Softball’s historic 2016 season that saw the Tigers finish third in the GPAC, marking the program’s then-best season in history.
The official induction ceremony for the Dakota Wesleyan Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will take place on Friday, October 9th, in the Sherman Center at 6:00 PM CST. The inductees will also be recognized at this year’s Homecoming football game against Concordia (Neb.), with kickoff scheduled for 1:30 PM on Saturday, October 10th, at Joe Quintal Field.