50 years ago: 1968

• Four players were vying for the starting quarterback spot for the upcoming Lea College Lancers football team including Dan Erck, Tim Labatt, Joe Campanie and Dan Meyers.

• Ellis Bennett shot a 71 to pace the early qualifiers at the Albert Lea Country Club’s Shortstop tournament.

• Tigers football coach Jim Gustafson prepared for another season with his son Jay quarterbacking the offense. Behind him in the backfield were Greg Sainsbury, Larry Weller and Chuck Sherman.

25 years ago: 1983

• Bob Oothoudt shot a 1-under 72 to take first place in the championship flight of the Albert Lea City Golf Open.

• The Glenville-Emmons Wolverines football team was preparing for their first season of nine-man football.

• Local P-6 Squirt baseball team defeated Southern Minnesota Oil 18-0 to win the Albert Lea Parks & Recreation playoffs. The team was coached by Brian Wacholz and Dan Maher.

10 years ago: 2008

• Chris Baas of Albert Lea captured his fifth Shortstop golf title with a 1-Up win over Phil Schmidt.

• The Albert Lea girls’ soccer team defeated Austin, 6-2. Morgan Stadheim and Chelsey LeBrun each scored twice for the Tigers.

• The Alden-Conger girls’ volleyball team defeated Glenville-Emmons, 3-0. Megan Miller led the Knights with 24 assists.

Going on now

• Ben Madison, who caught the eyes of Albert Lea Lakers fans in his only start by striking out 15 batters over six innings, is now a member of the San Francisco Giants Orange team in the Arizona Rookie League. The 20 year old, who was drafted in the ninth round by the Giants, has started nine games and struck out 23 batters over 16 innings pitched with an ERA of 3.38.