Lundeen received the nomination via current BHS Activities Director Dave Niemi. He was inducted along with Ron Dobbs of New London-Spicer and Kathy Fredrickson of Moose Lake.

 

The banquet was held at the Best Western Kelly Inn and St. Cloud Civic Center and featured awards and presentations for region athletic administrators of the year, “A” and “AA” athletic administrators of the year, distinguished service, distinguished alumni, NIAAA state award of merit, MNIAAA student scholarship recipients and retiring ADs as well as HOF nominations.

 

Lundeen is a graduate of Cokato High School in 1965 and earned his bachelor’s of science degree from St. Cloud State University in 1969. He majored in physical education with a minor in coaching and social studies. His goal was to become an athletic director somewhere in Minnesota.

 

 Upon graduation Lundeen looked to find employment in the St. Cloud area and came upon the teaching and coaching job at Becker High School. 

 

Over the years, Lundeen has coached football, cross country, track, golf, basketball and wrestling in his nearly 45 years at the school. He held the AD job for 35 of those years until his retirement in 2005.

 

Lundeen currently serves as meet manager for the Minnesota State A golf tournament. He is also a charter member of the MSHSL AAA award selection committee.

 

In 2009, Lundeen was inducted into the Minnesota Football Coaches Hall of Fame.

 

Lundeen is very active in the Becker community, having served as chairman of his church’s governing board as well as a Sunday school teacher.

 

Some of Lundeen’s accomplishments include, building the Becker activities program from six programs to 28 programs and serving on two building committees for activities facilities. He has developed an award-winning sportsmanship policy for Becker public schools and has played a key role in writing criteria for the MSHSL AAA award.

 

Becker School Board Director Bryan Olson wrote a letter of recommendation to the  Minnesota State High School Activities Administrators selection committee praising Lundeen for all his service and abilities to the Becker schools and community. In the letter, Olson named four attributes Lundeen possesses including, consistency, compassion, commitment and character.

 

 Another letter of recommendation came in from Mark Solberg, AD of Cambridge-Isanti High School, who talked about Lundeen’s professionalism, his hard work and his tremendous abilities as a communicator.

 

Becker High School Assistant Principal Mark Kolbinger said in his letter, “Mr. Lundeen is a tremendous leader to his family, friends, players and fellow coaches.

 

He is also a leader of leaders, someone who is looked upon for advice, direction and guidance by many other ADs and conference officials.”

 

Lundeen was accompanied to the banquet Wednesday by his close-knit family.

 

“I am so honored to be selected to the MSHSLAA Hall of Fame,” Lundeen said. “Becker has been a great place to coach, teach and live. I’d like to thank my wife, Pam and my family for their support through the years as they allowed me to pursue my lifelong dream.”

 

Lundeen also was thankful to Niemi for the nomination, to the many letter writers and to Mike Beck, Executive Director of Minnesota’s chapter of the NIAAA (National Interscholastic Administrators Association).