SAINT PAUL, Minn. --- Hamline University Athletics and the Hamline University Alumni Relations staff are proud to announce and honor the newest class of the Hamline Athletics Hall of Fame. Representing this years 2026-2027 Hall of Fame class are five outstanding individuals who have made their mark on Hamline Athletics. The purpose of the Hamline University Athletic Hall of Fame is to honor persons or teams who have made outstanding contributions within the Hamline University intercollegiate athletic program as athletes, coaches or athletic directors; and who have in their post-Hamline years contributed to their communities; and who have exemplified the finest ideals of Hamline University student-athletes.


JERRY ARTZ - HONORARY INDUCTEE
Jerry Artz is being honored as an honorary inductee for the commitment he has put forth as the Faculty Athletic Representative for Hamline Athletics for two decades. Dr. Jerry Artz, having received degrees in Electrical Engineering from Cincinnati and Stanford and then in physics from Florida State, has served as Hamline University's Faculty Athletic Representative to the MIAC and WIAC since 2006. In 2012, Jerry, along with Athletic Director Jason Verdugo, established the Faculty Sponsor program for Hamline University where every intercollegiate sport is represented by a faculty member. This is the only such program in the state of Minnesota and the surrounding region. Jerry has always emphasized how both athletic competition and academic performance require focused discipline. This is exemplified in his high school years in Trotwood Ohio where Jerry competed in football, basketball, and track and also served as valedictorian of his graduating class. Later, Jerry became an enthusiastic tennis player winning various Minnesota State Open tournaments in his age category, culminating in his #1 ranking in the Northwest Regional Section in the 55-and-over age division in 2001. Jerry was instrumental in bringing back intercollegiate tennis at Hamline. He initially served as club adviser/coach but then worked with Athletic Director Richard Tressell, Hamline alum John Alchemy'90 and others to bring tennis to MIAC status in 1992. Jerry worked on Hamline's "Take-the-Lead" Campaign Committee from 2019-2023.

JORDAN BUCK '13 - BASEBALL
Jordan came to Hamline for the 2011 baseball season after transferring from Des Moines Area CC. In his first season, the sophomore DH/OF set a school record starting all 44 games. The Pipers won a school record 29 games that season, captured the MIAC postseason title, and advanced to the NCAA D-III tournament for the only time in school history. Buck made his mark in the MIAC offensively, playing in 58 conference games over three seasons while compiling a .413 batting average and a .525 on-base percentage. He earned All-Conference recognition in 2011, 2012, and 2013, and in his senior year, he was named to the ABCA/Rawlings Midwest All-Region Team and received the Steve Lindgren Hamline Male Athlete of the Year Award. Across 115 career games for the Pipers, Jordan finished with a career .341 batting average and a .480 on-base percentage good for second best in school history. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration, Buck joined the Hamline baseball coaching staff as hitting and third base coach for nine seasons. He returned in 2025 as a volunteer coach and currently resides in Eagan with his wife Connie, and two sons Wyatt and Charlie.

CARL HIPP '11 - BASKETBALL
Carl Hipp was a standout men's basketball student-athlete at Hamline University from 2007 to 2011. During his senior season, he led Hamline to the conference playoffs and earned several honors, including All-American recognition, MIAC Player of the Year, All-Conference honors, and the William-Cloon Award. Carl was also honored with an invitation to the 2011 National All-Star Game. One of his most memorable moments came in a regular-season victory over St. Thomas, a team that went on to win the national championship that same year. Beyond basketball, he was active in the Hamline community through participation in Track & Field, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and other campus activities. Carl graduated with a degree in Business Administration before continuing his basketball career professionally, playing in Illinois, Germany, and Latvia. Today, he works in youth sports technology, supporting the next generation of athletes. His journey has been shaped by the support of his wife Heather and his parents, Shawn and Charlie Hipp. His mother Shawn served as Hamline's women's head track coach and had a formative influence throughout his life and college years.

SHAWN JOHNSON-HIPP - WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD, CROSS COUNTRY
Shawn Johnson-Hipp (aka "Coach Hipp") has had a lifelong passion for track and field that accumulated with a 37 year stint as a teacher/coach at Hamline University. As an athlete, she excelled in track and field in both high school and college — winning four state titles in the hurdle events along the way. After earning a Physical Education & Health degree from Mankato State University in 1979, she taught and coached at University of Nebraska – Omaha while getting a master's degree in Exercise Science. In 1983 she was hired as Hamline's first full-time head women's track and field /cross country coach, remaining at Hamline in various roles until retiring in 2020. During that time she earned several accolades, including MIAC Coach of the Year honors, Breaking Barriers Award from Girls & Women In Sports Day. She coached numerous conference champions, 21 All-American performances and 37 national qualifiers. Hurdles was her specialty and 8 hurdlers won conference titles under her tutalage. Hamline's top team finishes in the MIAC for both women's cross country (4th) and track & field (2nd) have been under Coach Hipp. In addition to her coaching duties, Shawn also taught in Hamline's teacher prep program and supervised Physical Education & Health student teachers. Shawn & her husband Charles ('81) are retired, living in Little Canada. They enjoy travel and family dinners with their 2 sons Ryan Hipp & Carl Hipp ('11 – also being inducted this year!) She dabbled in master's hurdling, and won several state titles & one national title in 2013. She continues to stay involved with alumni events for Hamline, and takes pride in co-developing the Schmaedeke-Hipp Fund to support the current track and field/cross country teams.

DREW LUKAS '09 - SOCCER
Drew Lukas '09 was a standout forward and three-year captain for the Hamline University men's soccer team from 2006 through 2009, serving as captain during his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. A three-time MIAC All-Conference and two-time NSCAA All-North Region selection, Drew finished his career with 34 goals and 72 points, both Hamline career records that still stand. In 2009, Drew received Hamline's William Cloon Award, recognizing excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, and community engagement. His service included work with Minnesota Thunder Plus, where he mentored inner-city youth, using soccer as a vehicle to teach life skills. Drew graduated from Hamline in 2009 with a degree in Business Management and later earned an MBA in Finance from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. He currently serves as a Director of Compliance at RBC Wealth Management. Hamline was part of Drew's story long before he became a student. He spent much of his early childhood in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood in a home just three blocks from campus. Years later, Hamline became the place where he built a record-setting soccer career, met his wife, Dee, and formed lifelong friendships that remain an important part of his life today.

This new Hall of Fame class will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame during Homecoming and Alumni Week on Saturday, October 3.