2023 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME RECEPTION
The 2023 Albert Lea High School Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, Coach Roy Nystrom; Lindsey (Horejsi) Kozelsky-2015; Chad Adams-1989; Jerry Brandt-1974; Emily (Bartusek) Zanon-2004; Jim Pappas (1973); Robbie (Vander Waal) Woodside-1984; and Robert Hatch-1966 were recognized at the Athletic Hall of Fame reception held at The Wedgewood Cove on Friday, July 28. The reception was well attended and the evening provided a wonderful opportunity for the renewal of old acquaintances. Pictures and descriptions of the inductees may be found by scrolling to the bottom of this page.
We Are A Community Committed To Its Children
Our Mission
Mission Statement
The mission of the ALHS Athletic Hall of Fame is to acknowledge outstanding athletes, coaches, and teams that have made significant historical contributions to the athletic program at Albert Lea High School.
Honorees are recognized by the posting of a plaque on a wall of honor at Albert Lea High School and/or by presentation on the Touch Screen Digital Display in the same area.
Selection Criteria
Selection Criteria
Throughout the long history of Albert Lea High School athletics, numerous individuals have made a significant and lasting positive impact on advancing the recognition of Albert Lea’s educational community. They deserve to be nominated for induction into the Albert Lea High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Selected individuals will represent all ALHS sports and will be recognized as an ALHS Athletic Hall of Fame Athlete or Coach who has met the rigid selection criteria of promoting athletics at the ALHS. The ALHS Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes and pays tribute to both living and deceased outstanding individual athletes and coaches, as well as all state championship teams as a team.
Nominations will close on April 1st each year and will be reviewed annually. In addition, the Selection Committee will welcome any additional supplemental factual history and statistics supporting any nominee.
Criteria for Eligibility:
A. Athlete members of the ALHS Hall of Fame must have:
1. Participated in athletics while attending Albert Lea High School.
2. Graduated from ALHS a minimum of five (5) years prior to his/her nomination selection.
3. Candidates must, during and following their high school graduation career, exemplify behavior that is a credit to the Albert Lea High School and community.
4. The Selection Committee will use the following achievements as “guidelines” for ALHS Athletic Hall of Fame selection purposes:
a. Number of Years as an All-District, All Region, or All-Area selection as a 1st or 2nd team(s) selection and/or;
b. Number of years as an All-Big Nine Conference selection, number of teams as an All-Big Nine selection, the level of the All-Big-Nine team(s) selected to (i.e. 1st, 2nd, 3rd team, honorable mention all-conference) and/or;
c. All-State selection(s), number of years, and number of sports and/or;
d. State placer, top 6 medalist, number of times, number of sports, top 6 state placing relays participated on and/or;
e. Statistical leader or record holder at ALHS, Conference, Region, State (list) and/or;
f. Earned an MVP award or elected a Captain or Co-Captain in a selected sport and/or;
g. The committee reserves the right to consider whether he/she contributed to society in a positive or negative way following graduation from ALHS as a qualification for induction.
B. Coach members of the ALHS Hall of Fame must have:
1. Coached at the Albert Lea High School at least seven (7) years prior to nomination. He/she must have retired or moved on to a different position.
2. Distinguished him/herself by demonstrating exceptional leadership, character, and athletic coaching achievement that is a credit to the Albert Lea High School and community.
3. The Selection Committee will use the following achievements as “guidelines” for ALHS Athletic Hall of Fame selection for purposes:
a. Coached a team that won a Big 9 championship, and/or;
b. Coached a team or an individual in state competition, and/or;
c. Had a minimum winning percentage of 50%, and/or;
d. Earned a conference, region, state, or national coaching award, and/or;
e. Was instrumental in developing and building a successful athletic program, and/or;
f. Demonstrated exceptional leadership, character, and athletic coaching achievement that was a credit to the Albert Lea High School and community.
Additional Instructions:
1. Please note that the information supplied about this candidate will be the basis for the Hall of Fame Selection Committee’s decision. It is not the role of the Selection Committee to do further research into this individual’s accomplishments. Please be as thorough and complete as possible.
2. All nominations will remain on file indefinitely, and additional information can be added to the nomination at any time.
3. Clippings or further details can be attached to this application. Photocopies are encouraged. Any attachments will become the property of the ALHS Athletic Hall of Fame and will not be returned.
All applications must be postmarked by April 1 to be considered for induction into the ALHS Athletic Hall of Fame.
Mail the completed Nomination Form and any attachments to:
Albert Lea High School Athletic Hall of Fame
% Education Foundation
P.O. Box 828
Albert Lea, MN 56007
Or:
Email to: TigerHallofFame@gmail.com
Nomination Form
Event Schedule
Reception Reservation Form
Hall of Fame
ALHS Hall of Fame Team History
In the inaugural year 2010 there were eleven state championship teams from 1919 through 1982 honored as inductees including:
1919 |
State Basketball Championship |
1952 |
State Golf Championship |
1966 |
State Gymnastics Championship |
1966 |
State Wrestling Championship |
1967 |
State Football Championship |
1968 |
State Football Championship |
1970 |
State Football Championship |
1971 |
State Wrestling Championship |
1976 |
State Wrestling Championship |
1981 |
State Wrestling Championship |
1982 |
State Golf Championship |
2010 Inductees
Vinny Cerrato
Class of 1977
VINNY CERRATO was a three-year letter winner in football, hockey and track. He was an all-conference performer in hockey and currently ranks in the top-10 in ALHS scoring history. He was also an all-conference and all-state performer in football. Read More…
Gary DeRoos
Class of 1978
In 1975, Gary DeRoos began an impressive career as an Albert Lea swimmer. At Big Nine, he finished third and fifth in the 100-yard back stroke and 200- yard medley relay. He was named to the All-Big Nine team and became the school’s record holder in the 100-yard back stroke. Read More…
Jeri Domes
Class of 1981
During her sophomore year of high school, Jeri placed second at state in the 4×100-yard relay in a photo finish. Her junior year, Domes placed first at state in the 100-yard, second in the 200-yard and fifth in the 4×100-yard relay. Read More…
Jay Gustafson
Class of 1969
As a football player, JAY GUSTAFSON had more wins than any, ALHS quarterback, and was undefeated at 22-0. He’s the school’s all-time career passing leader, named an all-state player in 1968 and led the team to two state championships in 1967 and 1968. Read More…
Tom Jean
Class of 1972
Tom Jean was a three time state wrestling champion, winning the title in 1970, ’71, ’72. He went undefeated in 1970 and 1971 and during his senior year he pinned all four opponents in the first period at the state tournament. Read More…
Greg Shoff
Class of 1972
At Albert Lea High School, GREGG SHOFF was a two-time letter winner in football, basketball and track; but it was on the field where he found the most success. During his senior year, in 1972, Shoff was selected Big Nine All-Conference. Read More…
Clayton Westrum
Class of 1952
CLAYTON “BUMPER” Westrum was an individual State co-champion in golf in 1950 and state champion in 1052; he also led the Tigers to a team state championship that year. Over his five years at ALHS he recorded 72+ stroke average and received a full four-year scholarship at the university of Florida. Read More…
Ben Woodside
Class of 2004
2011 Inductees
Traci Bergo
Class of 1982
TRACI BERGO was a 1982 graduate of Albert Lea High School who broke many school and Big Nine Conference girls’ swimming records. As a ninth grader Trace broke seven school records during the first five meets of her high school career. Read More…
Donna Boom
Class of 1995
Jeff Brook
Class of 1962
Jeff Brooke graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1962 where he was an accomplished football player, wrestler and track and field athlete. As a 175 pound and heavyweight wrestler, Brooke compiled a 59 – 9 record, which included 39 pins. Read More…
Craig Dahl
Class of 1971
Craig Dahl was a 1971 graduate of Albert Lea High School where he was a standout football and hockey player and hurdler. As a football player, Dahl was named Big Nine All-Conference and All-State, and led the Big Nine in total passing yards. Read More…
Roger Neist
Class of 1966
ROGER NEIST graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1966 and won 5 state championships in gymnastics. Neist began competing in gymnastics as a ninth grader when the sport was first started in Albert Lea. Read More…
Rich Oliphant
Class of 1961
RICH OLIPHANT graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1961 where he led the Tigers football team to its first Big Nine title since 1934. Oliphant joined the football team in 1957 as a ninth-grader and was named All-Conference in both his junior and senior years. Read More…
Pete Veldman
Class of 1951
Pete Veldman was a three-sport athlete at Albert Lea High School and graduated in 1951. On the track and field team, Veldman was a three-time letterwinner and competed in the high hurdles, 440- yard dash, shot put and discus throw. He qualified for the state meet in the high hurdles in 1951. Read More…
Rich Wendorf
Class of 1976
Rich Wendorff graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1976 where he was a star basketball player and three sport athlete. During his senior basketball season, the 6-foot-4-inch Wendorff was named an All-State performer by WCCO Radio, The Minneapolis Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Read More…
2012 Inductees
Ross Dahl
Class of 1976
ROSS DAHL is one of the best hockey players in Albert Lea history. He was a three-year starter for the Tigers and set the all time career scoring record. One of the highlights of his hockey career was getting a hat trick against the number one team in the State, Bloomington Lincoln. Read More…
Bobby Dolan
Class of 1949
BOBBY DOLAN exemplifies the multi-sport athlete. During his high school career he earned 13 letters in five sports: football, basketball, baseball, track and boxing. Bobby was the area Golden Gloves champion for his weight class. Read More…
Darrel Gavle
Class of 1967
DARREL GAVLE was an outstanding all around athlete who was co- captain and played both offensive and defense line in football. Darrel was named to the First Team Big 9 Conference, First Team All-State WCCO Radio, First Team All State Minneapolis Tribune and Honorable Mention Prep All-American Football Team for the Coach & Athlete Magazine. Read More…
Chuck Jean
Class of 1967
CHUCK JEAN is a legend within the wrestling world and considered as one of the best wrestlers that Albert Lea has ever produced. He was dominant in his high school wrestling career and finished his senior year as State Champion as an individual and also helped Albert Lea win the Team Championship. Read More…
Lewis Kennedy
Class of 1960
Truly one of Albert Lea’s all time Greats, LEW KENNEDY excelled in three sports. He was a star halfback averaging 7.3 yards per carry. Lew Wrestled for the varsity for four years and was a three time Big 9 Conference Champion and a three time District and Regional Champion in wrestling. Read More…
Mike Pappas
Class of 1972
In his senior year in football, Mike Pappas set the school rushing record and the record for the most points scored. He captained and outstanding football team to an undefeated season and a State Championship. Read More…
Jack Woodside
Class of 1954
Jack Woodside is known as one of the finest basketball players in Albert Lea history. He captained his team to an outstanding 14-3 record in his senior year. As an individual he set the career scoring record at 322 career points and averaged 18.5 points per game his senior year. Read More…
2013 Inductees
Ben Berhow
Class of 2006
Jon Breuer
Class of 2005
Clay Cameron
Class of 1971
Clay Cameron’s life was cut short due to a tragic car accident while he was a freshman at Southwest Sate University in 1971. He left behind a tremendous list of accomplishments. As a senior in 1971, he was all-state in track and field, finishing fourth place in the two-mile event at the state meet while establishing a new school record. Read More…
Adam Elseth
Class of 2004
Gary Neist
Class of 1965
Gary Neist graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1965, where he participated in football, wrestling and track. He participated in the state wrestling championships three years where, as a sophomore, he finished third at 95 lbs and as a junior, he was crowned champion at 112 lbs. Read More…
Mike Petersen
Class of 1987
Mike Petersen graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1987, holding many accomplishments as a member of the Albert Lea Tigers boys’ basketball team. His junior season he averaged 20.15 points per game, and 20.27 points per game his senior season with both numbers led the Big Nine Conference. Read More…
2014 Inductees
Doyle Freemyer
Class of 1967
Doyle Freemyer graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1967, where he lettered four years in hockey, four years in track and field and three years in football. Read More…
Mollee Ludtke
Class of 1994
Clay Lyon
Class of 1956
Clay Lyon graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1956, where he lettered in basketball, football, baseball and tennis. His prolific scoring as forward on the varsity basketball team produced 224 points as a junior and 358 points as a senior. Read More…
Tricia Reichl
Class of 1984
Tricia (Reichl) Cyr graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1984. While in high school she was a three time letter-winner in volleyball. She was named to the Big Nine All-Conference team twice in volleyball and was a two-time captain for the Tigers. Read More…
Jon Schmitz
Class of 1979
JON SCHMITZ graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1979. While in high school, Schmitz lettered four times in swimming, where he achieved All-Conference and All-State honors. He also lettered twice in track & field. Read More…
Pam Stoltz
Class of 1991
2016 Inductees
Lowell Brady
Class of 1956
LOWELL BRADY graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1956, where he participated in football, basketball and track, lettering seven times. His senior year in football he totaled 987 overall yards, gaining All-Conference recognition. Read More…
Jon Christian
Class of 1983
JON CHRISTIAN graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1983, where he participated in golf four years and was a member of the varsity hockey team for two years. In 1982, he was a part of the team from Albert Lea that captured the state golf championship. Read More…
Ron Dahlen
Class of 1960
RON DAHLEN graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1960 where he was a four-sport letter winner in track and field and a three-year letter winner in football. As a sophomore he was the Big Nine 120-yard high hurdles champion and competed in the state meet in this event along with the 180-yard low hurdles. Read More…
Stacy Gildner
Class of 1982
STACY GILDNER TORMAN graduate from Albert Lea High School in 1982. She was two‐time letter winner in volleyball and basketball and a three‐ time letter winner in track. She still holds the Albert Lea girlsʹ track and field records in the 100‐meter hurdles and long jump and is part of the record‐ holding team in the 400 and 800 meter relays. Read More…
Logan Kortan
Class of 2009
Ronal Vander Waal
Class of 1980
RONALEE VANDER WAAL graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1980 where she competed three years in track and field and volleyball. She was All-Conference in volleyball two years and was the first sophomore to overplay varsity volleyball for the Tigers. Read More…
2018 Inductees
Mike Callahan
Class of 1963
MIKE CALLAHAN graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1963 where he participated in wrestling. He completed his career with a record of 48-2-2 in an era where twenty wins in a season was considered extraordinary Read More…
Chris Hall
Class of 1988
CHRIS HALL graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1988 where he lettered in cross country, track and field, and swimming. Read More…
Laura (Hillman) Wangen
Class of 2006
LAURA (HILLMAN) WANGEN graduated from Albert Lea High School in 2006 where she participated in hockey, soccer, swimming and diving, track and field, and golf. Read More…
Mark Indrelie
Class of 1982
MARK INDERLIE graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1982 where he lettered in wrestling and gymnastics. As a sophomore, he finished second in the state wrestling tournament. As a junior, he captured the state individual championship title as well as being a part of the 1981 state championship team. Read More…
Steve Nelson
Class of 1988
STEVE NELSON graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1988 where he lettered in baseball and hockey. He was the captain of the hockey team his senior year and earned All-Conference honors for his junior and senior seasons. Read More…
Amber (Sickels) Schewe
Class of 2001
AMBER (SICKELS) SCHEWE graduated from Albert Lea High School in 2001. While in high school she lettered three years in basketball, three years in softball, and one year in volley ball and cross country. Read More…
Nora (Turner) Weismiller
Class of 1979
NORA (TURNER) WEISMILLER graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1979 where she participated in basketball, volleyball and track. She lettered four years on the varsity basketball team and served as captain during her junior and senior years. Read More…
2021 Inductees
John Goodmanson
Class of 1963
Long before the current trend to specialize in one high school sport, there were many that would compete in all three seasons. Read More…
Karli Kriewall
Class of 2013
It’s good for an athlete to be extremely talented. It’s also good for an athlete to be a very hard worker. Once in awhile, you have someone like Karli Kriewall who was both. Read More…
Charles "Chuck" Schneider
Class of 1956
Chuck Schneider was not only a multi-talented athlete, he was a multi-talented person. Read More…
Bill Dress
Class of 1978
Way before the Milwaukee Bucks recently claimed the title, the Albert Lea Tigers basketball program had the original Greek Freak. Bill “Billy” Dress graduated in 1978 Read More…
1978 State Championship Boys’ Swim Relay Team
The swimming program was only five years old when the team of Gary DeRoos, Ray Keating Jr., Jon Schmitz, and Jim Wendorff won the 1978 State Championship in the Boys 200 yard medley relay event. Their winning time, just a fraction shy of the state record, also qualified them for All-America status in 1978. This group is given a lot of credit for helping raise the visibility of the program and giving it important momentum. The team also would like to acknowledge the positive impact that coaches Jim Lang, Dale Shuldes, and Andy Sanders had on them and the swimmers.
Gary DeRoos
Class of 1978
As a varsity swimmer since 9th grade, Gary was named All-Big Nine in each of his four years. Read More…
Ray Keating, Jr.
Class of 1978
Ray was a four-year varsity letter winner. He was All-Conference, All-Region, All-State and an honorable mention All-American for the Tigers. Read More…
Jon Schmitz
Class of 1979
Jon was a four-year letter winner while earning All-Conference and All-State honors. Read More…
Jim Wendorff
Class of 1978
Jim was a three-year letter winner for the Tigers as a swimmer, and competed in track and cross-country. Read More…
Chrissy Monson
Class of 2013
Most athletes work and wait to become a team leader. A rare few, Like Chrissy Monson, start there. Read More…
Marilyn Claassen
Class of 1976
Athletes are typically known for their dedication, but how about foregoing a school trip to England as it would involve missing too many practices and interrupting training? Read More…
2023 Inductees
Chad Adams
Class of 1989
Chad was a three-year letter winner in golf and hockey and was a captain for each team. Read More…
Emily (Bartusek) Zanon
Class of 2004
Emily was a letter winner starting in 7th grade in track! Read More…
Jerry Brandt
Class of 1974
Jerry was a three-time Track & Field participant…twice qualifying as All-State. Read More…
Bob Hatch
Class of 1966
Bob was a three-year letter winner in wrestling and voted Most Valuable on the 1966 State Championship Wrestling Team. Read More…
Lindsey (Horejsi) Kozelsky
Class of 2004
A case could be made that there has never been an athlete more dominate in a sport at ALHS than Lindsey. Read More…
Jim Pappas
Class of 1973
Jim was a three sport letter winner and captain in both football and wrestling. Read More…
Robbi (Vander Waal) Woodside
Class of 1984
My favorite memory has to be playing volleyball our senior year in the State Tournament. Read More…
Leroy Maas
Inducted 2010: Wrestling Coach
As one of the first coaches of Albert Lea’s wrestling program, LEROY MASS established his program and set the table for coaches that followed. With his program, Mass exhibited the rare talent of finding young student athletes and turning them into competitive District, Regional and State champions. Read More…
Jim Gustafson
Inducted 2010: Football Coach
JIM GUSTAFSON began coaching football in Albert Lea in the fall of 1956. His record from fall 1956 until his first retirement in 1971-72 was 99-40-3. Gus won 46 of his last 48 games and had an undefeated string of 27 games in a row. Read More…
Paul Erhard
Inducted 2011: Football & Wrestling Coach
Paul Ehrhard was head coach of the Albert Lea wrestling program from 1957 to 1977. Ehrhard graduated from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul and had only two years of coaching experience prior to arriving in Albert Lea. In his first year, in addition to coaching wrestling, Ehrhard was an assistant football coach. Read More…
Lois Fagerquist
Inducted 2011: All Girls Sports
Lois Fagerquist coached varsity volleyball, softball, basketball, track and field, gymnastics and cheer team over 15 years at Albert Lea High School. As volleyball coach her teams won nine out of a possible 10 Big Nine championships and were Region 1AA champions in 1983. Read More…
Jerry Kaphers
Inducted 2012: Cross Country & Track and Field Coach
Jerry Kaphers may have coached and influenced as many athletes in the history of Albert Lea as any coach. The track & field teams were always large in numbers and talent and the cross country teams consisted of dedicated and determined runners who put in a lot of miles running around Albert Lea. Read More…
Orrie Jirele
Inducted 2014: Basketball & Tennis Coach
ORRIE JIRELE after coaching Rochester Lourdes to three state high school basketball championships and spending five years in Green Bay, Jirele came to Albert Lea in 1973. He was a long-time counselor in Albert Lea and a successful basketball coach through the 1987 season. Read More…
Neal Skaar
Inducted 2016: Wrestling Coach
NEAL SKAAR graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1964. After an outstanding high school career for the Tigers, he wrestled at Luther College. While at Luther, he finished fifth, sixth and third in NCAA Division II wrestling tournament and is in Luther’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Read More…
Mary Beese
Inducted 2021: Girls Track and Field
Mary Beese moved to Albert Lea in 1977. She was asked to help that same spring with the Girls Track and Field Team as an assistant coach.. Read More…
Don Kropp
Inducted 2021 Boys Track and Field Coach
50, as in 5-0. 50, as in five decades. 50, as in a half century. Don Kropp actually coached 53 years for the Albert Lea Tigers starting back in 1967. Read More…