50 years ago: 1964

• John Gray, head coach of the Albert Lea boys’ hockey team, greeted five returning letter winners at the start of practice: Bob Sorenson, Mark Peterson, Eric Peterson, Wayne Freemyer and Doyle Freemyer.

• Named to the North Iowa Conference All-Star football team from Northwood were Dick Holstad, Kary Paulson, Jim Whitcome, Bill Schlueter, Al Jasper, Lynn Groe and Bob Henderson. Wendell Brase and Ed Dahley from Lake Mills were also named to the team.

• Ellendale boys’ basketball head coach Bob Lietzau started practice with seven returning letter winners: Mike Spurr, Tim Thompson, Rick Loven, Paul Otto, Duane Nelson, Daryl Paulson and Tom Misgen.

• Named to the Southland All-Conference football team from Glenville were Paul Oakland and Ron Gayken.

• The Minnesota Gophers defeated Purdue 14-7 in a Big Ten Conference football game. Gophers quarterback John Hankinson completed 8-of-15 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns.

 

25 years ago: 1989

• Head coach Karol Hansen and the Albert Lea girls’ basketball team lost their season opener against Fairmont 53-39. Lori Coughlin and Pam Stoltz led the Tigers with 12 points each.

• The Minnesota Twins signed outfielder Kirby Puckett to a three-year $9 million contract. Puckett led the American League in batting average at .339.

• Lisa Sveen scored 18 points, Janean Flatness, 12, and Emery Steene, 11, to lead Glenville to a 51-36 season-opening basketball victory over Medford.

 

10years ago: 2004

• The Albert Lea girls’ hockey team opened the Big Nine Conference season with a record of 3-0 after defeating Austin 5-4. Laura Hillman scored three goals for a hat trick, Amy Leach and Jenna Christensen each scored a goal.

• The Alden-Conger girls’ basketball team defeated Glenville-Emmons 55-18. Leading Alden-Conger were Jenny Krueger with 15 points and 9 rebounds and Vanessa Politz and Danielle Jensen with 10 points each.

• The No. 14 Minnesota Gophers women’s basketball team won the Subway Classic with a 70-56 victory over Virginia Tech. Jamie Broback scored 22 points for the Gophers.