A group of Albert Lea High School alums have created the Albert Lea High School Hall of Fame, which will induct its first group of athletes this summer.

Al Arends and Craig Ludtke make up part of the group set to honor past Albert Lea athletes and help future athletes.

“I think we’re way overdue,” Ludtke said.

Most schools in the Big Nine Conference have established a hall of fame, but Albert Lea’s desire to start a hall of fame extends beyond recognizing the past great athletes.

The group has plans to raise funds to help offset rising activities fees at Albert Lea High School.

Ludtke remembers when he played football he didn’t have to pay for anything, in fact he went home with equipment.

“When I played it cost us nothing and they actually gave us shoes and socks,” Ludtke said.

The inaugural hall of fame class will include all state championship teams and 10 individual inductees, which will be introduced at a banquet.

The banquet will serve as the main fundraising mechanism and will feature a prominent guest speaker. The group plans to have a golf tournament in addition to the banquet.

“We’re hoping we can raise $30-40,000 dollars,” Arends said. “I think this can trigger off more than that that can help each kid.”

Each inductee will receive a plague, which will go on display in the high school.

In order to receive consideration for the hall of fame, an athlete or coach must be nominated and also meet several requirements. An athlete must be five years removed from participating in athletic events at Albert Lea High School. Coaches must have been retired or moved to a different position from which they are nominated for a period of seven years.

Ballots will be available at the high school, Martin’s Cycling & Fitness, Tiger City Sports, HyVee, Motor Inn, Albert Lea Chamber of Commerce, Wedgewood Cove Golf Club, the Albert Lea Family Y, and online at http://es.albertlea.k12.mn.us/hsfame/default.aspx.

All fees are tax deductible through the Albert Lea Education Foundation.

The featured speaker will be Vinny Cerrato, former ALHS standout athlete, Iowa State athlete and former Washington Redskins executive.

The banquet will be held July 9 at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club at 6 p.m. Dinner will begin at 7 p.m. with inductions and the speaker to follow. There will be a silent auction from 6 to 7 p.m. Tickets are available on the Web site where nominations are available.

A golf tournament will be held July 10 at Wedgewood Cove Golf Course. The shotgun start tournament will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will be a four-person best shot tournament with prizes and food. Golf entries are also available on the hall of fame Web site. Links to the hall of fame website can be found on the Albert Lea High School Web site, Albert Lea Chamber of Commerce Web site and the Albert Lea Tribune Web site.