Sports Memories by Tom Jones

 

50 years ago: 1969

• First National Bank of Albert Lea was promoting a chance to win a Super Bowl holiday for two in New Orleans by registering at the bank. The winner would eventually see the Minnesota Vikings play the Kansas City Chiefs.

• At the 14th annual Albert Lea Quarterback Club’s fall sports banquet, captains for two teams for the 1970 season were announced. Clay Cameron and Paul Wendorff were named for cross country and Dave Bonnerup, Kirk Nolander and Mike Pappas were named for football.

• Former Minnesota Gopher All-American basketball player Lou Hudson, who played for the Gophers from 1963 to 1966, tied an Atlanta Hawks record when he poured in 57 points in the Hawks 133-132 win over the Chicago Bulls.

 

25 years ago: 1994

• Ginny Veldman, Donna Boom, Eric Nelson and Marcus Ludtke represented Albert Lea High School at the Big Nine Conference sportsmanship meeting in Albert Lea. “Be A Good Sport” T-shirts highlighted the theme of the meeting.

• After leading the Minnesota Vikings on a winning drive against New Orleans with time running out, quarterback Warren Moon was named NFC Player of the Week. He completed 33 of 57 passes for 420 years and three touchdowns.

• Kirby Puckett was named as the Minnesota Twins’ Most Valuable Player of the strike-shortened season by the Twin Cities Chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. He hit .317 with 20 home runs and 112 runs batted in.

 

10 years ago: 2009

• The Albert Lea girls’ swim and dive team had three events advance to the state meet after a strong showing at the section meet in Austin. Qualifying for the state meet were Galen Schulz in the 50 freestyle, Morgan Field in the 100 breastroke and the 200 yard medley relay team of Kemma Bergland, Gracie Thomas, Amy Horejsi and Schulz.

• Brett Favre passed for a season-high 344 yards, including 201 to Sidney Rice as the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Detroit Lions 27-10 at the Metrodome.

• NRHEG sophomore outside hitter Anna Schlaak was named the Albert Lea Tribune Area Volleyball Player of the Year.

 

This year

• Former Albert Lea High School football coach Kevin Armbrust recently completed his third year as head coach of the Milaca Wolves. His team finished 5-5, which included a Section 5 win over Pine City.