Meet The 2026 Athletics Hall Of Fame Inductees
September 3, 2026
Launched in 2023, the Mounds Park Academy Athletics Hall of Fame celebrates the people whose talent, leadership, dedication, and support have helped shape MPA’s rich athletic tradition. Each year, the Hall of Fame honors outstanding alumni athletes, coaches, and Panther supporters by sharing their accomplishments and preserving the stories and moments that have defined MPA Athletics across generations.
The 2026 Hall of Fame class continues that tradition, recognizing individuals whose impact reaches well beyond wins, records, and competition. Their stories reflect the character of MPA Athletics and the lasting connections formed among teammates, coaches, families, and fans.
Please join us for the MPA Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Dinner on Friday, September 25 at 5:45 PM during Homecoming Weekend as we celebrate these remarkable Panthers and the lasting impact they have had on our school community. RSVP here!
MPA is proud to introduce the 2026 Athletics Hall of Fame inductees:
Nate Bander '09, Panther Athlete and Coach
Nate Bander has been part of MPA for much of his life. He attended MPA from 1996–2009 and later returned to coach from 2015–2021.
As a student, Nate was part of the growth of the boys cross country program, helping the Panthers reach the state meet during his senior year as captain. He credits coaches Bev Docherty, Dan Ethier, and Dan Haase for teaching him how to compete, work hard, lead, and enjoy the process.
Nate later had the opportunity to pass those lessons on as a coach. One of his favorite memories was coaching Yahya Madar to the 2019 state championship in the high jump, where Yahya tied the Class A state record. For Nate, watching an athlete he had worked closely with grow and accomplish something so special is what coaching is all about.
MPA has remained an important part of Nate’s life. The experiences he had as a student, athlete, and coach helped shape his love of learning, athletics, leadership, and community, and eventually his decision to attend law school and become an attorney.
Nick Gardner '14, Panther Athlete and Coach
Nick Gardner competed for MPA from 2008-2014 and returned years later to coach Nordic skiing from 2020-2023.
Nick had an outstanding athletic career. He was a section champion and state runner-up in Nordic skiing, finished in the top 10 at a national competition, and was part of MPA’s state championship 4x800 relay with Kethan Dahlberg, Nolan Ferlic, and Evan Ferlic. He also finished 24th individually at the state cross country meet and helped MPA earn a state runner-up team finish.
What makes Nick’s story especially meaningful is that success didn’t come right away. He remembers finishing last in races when he was younger. Instead of walking away, he kept working. Over time, he learned that being good at something isn’t always about where you start; it’s about being willing to practice, struggle, improve, and keep going.
Nick brought that same perspective back to MPA when he became a coach. Alongside Chrissy Snider, he worked to make Nordic skiing a fun and welcoming program where kids wanted to be.
His advice to today’s MPA athletes is simple: try things. Play different sports, take an art class, explore different interests, and don’t feel like you need to specialize too soon. That opportunity to do a little bit of everything is one of the things Nick values most about his time at MPA.
Stacey Geiser '90, Panther Athlete
Stacey Geiser’s time at MPA was filled with athletics, leadership, friendships, and plenty of school spirit. A three-sport athlete in volleyball, downhill skiing, and golf, Stacey’s biggest athletic accomplishment came in her senior year when she won the 1990 Minnesota State Girls Golf Championship.
But when Stacey talks about MPA, she doesn’t focus only on winning. Some of her best memories are of supporting teammates, cheering for others, and working with classmates to make MPA a fun place to be.
She credits Robert Kreischer, Richard Meacock, Maureen Conway, and golf coach Joe Kordosky as people who had a lasting impact on her. Their support and belief in her helped her develop the confidence to take on challenges and become a leader.
Stacey hopes she is remembered as someone who cared about others and brought positive energy to the community. And before becoming a state champion, she even spent some time as the MPA Panther mascot, something that seems pretty fitting for someone who has always carried a lot of Panther Pride.
Chris Jensen, Teacher and Coach
Chris Jensen was a beloved science teacher and longtime boys soccer coach at Mounds Park Academy. He started the boys varsity soccer program in 1984, when MPA didn’t even have a senior class. MPA’s first junior class had just five students, three girls and two boys. Both boys, Danny Kaplin and Dave Gigerich, played on the soccer team and served as captains.
Chris coached the boys varsity team from 1984-2004 and played an important role in building the soccer program at MPA. In 1992, he was named Minnesota High School Coach of the Year by the Minnesota State High School Soccer Coaches Association.
Chris led MPA to state tournament appearances in 2001 and 2002. The 2001 team was especially significant, becoming the first team in MPA history to participate in a state tournament.
Along the way, Chris coached and mentored many MPA students, including alumnus Ben Jacobson ’94, who later returned to assist Chris with the soccer program.
Chris made an impact on MPA both in the classroom and on the soccer field. He cared about his students and athletes, built lasting relationships, and helped create a soccer tradition that continues to be an important part of MPA athletics.
