Leroy Maas, coach: wrestling, track:

As the first coach of Albert Lea’s wrestling program, Leroy Maas established the program and set the table for coaches that followed. As the creator of that program, Maas exhibited the rare talent of finding young student athletes and turning them into competitive District, Regional and State Champions. In addition, his success as early as coach of ALHS athletes has resulted in the creation of the Leroy Maas Wrestling Scholarship. Maas is appropriately known as, “The Water that Primed the Pump of Thousands.” Since 1996, his former students have raised nearly $120,000 and provided $52,000 in educational scholarships to 42 ALHS athlete scholars.

Maas understands that records are set and surpassed, however, he believes beyond the importance and value of the accomplishments of the moment. It is the life lessons learned that serve athletes over the course of their life that are most important. To that end, he is deeply proud of the numerous accomplishments of the student athletes he enjoyed the privilege to coach.

Gary DeRoos, class of 1978; swimming, track:

In 1975, DeRoos began an impressive career as an Albert Lea swimmer.

At Big Nine, he finished third and fifth in the 100-meter back stroke and 200-meter medley relay. He was an named All-Big Nine and became the school’s record holder in the 100-meter back stroke.

His second year of high school, DeRoos became a Big Nine champion, finishing first in the 100-meer back stroke and 200-meter medley relay. He also finished third in the 100-meter freestyle. He qualified for the state meet in the backstroke and medley relay and was an All-State swimmer. He broke school records in the backstroke, medley relay and the 100 and 50-meter freestyle.

His junior year, DeRoos continued his impressive swimming career. He again won the Big Nine championship in the 100-meter backstroke, 200-meter medley relay and the 50-meter freestyle for the first time. He finished second at state in the backstroke and freestyle and fourth in the medley relay.

During his senior year, DeRoos was conference champion in three events and state champion in two. He was again Big Nine champion in the backstroke, medley relay and freestyle, breaking conference records in each event in the process. He was state champion in the 100-meter backstroke and 200-meter medley relay and record the second fastest time in Minnesota state history in both events. Deroos was named an All-American, All-State and broke seven school records.

During his junior and senior years of track, was two time All-Conference, two time finalist in the 110-meter high hurdles and 300-meter intermediate hurdles and broke the school record in the intermediate.

Greg Shoff, class of 1972; football:

At Albert Lea High School, Greg 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 named Big Nine All-Conference. He was named an All-State football player by the Minneapolis Tribune, WCCO All-State team, and All America Sunkist All-American and Scholastic Coach Magazine All-American. He was also 1973 tri-captain in football.

After graduating from ALHS, Shoff was a three year letter winner and starter at the University of Minnesota and played in the 1976 Blue-Gray College All-Star game.

After starting 33 games for the Gophers, he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons.

He went on to become football coaches at Minneapolis West, North Hennipin Community College, Hill Murray and Augsburg.

Ben Woodside, class of 2004; basketball:

Woodside is considered the best basketball player in Albert Lea Tiger history.

He was three-time Big Nine All-Conference, three-time Albert Lea Tribune Player of the Year, two-time Minnesota Associated Press All-State, Minnesota Basketball News 3A Player of the Year in 2004 and Pioneer Press First Team All-State in 2004.

Woodside holds the school record for most points in a career with 1724 and most points in a game with 41. During his senior year he averaged 24.5 points per game.

Woodside continued to have an impressive career after high school at North Dakota State University.

There, he broke several school and Summit League records becoming NDSU’s all-time leading scorer, free throw leader and second all-time in assists. He holds the Summit League record for most points in a single game with 60 and is tied with Pete Maravich for most free throws made in a game with 30. In his last game as a Bison, Woodside scored 37 points against Kansas in the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

Woodside spent last season in France playing with BCM Gravelines. He averaged 14.5 points, 4.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game and was named an All-Star during his rookie season.

Clayton (Bumper) Westrum, class of 1952; golf, basketball:

Bumper Westrum was an individual state co-champion in golf in 1950 and state champion in 1952; he also led the Tigers to a team state championship that year. He was a five year letter winner in golf.

In addition to golf, Westrum was also a three-time letter winner in basketball and two-time letter winner in football.