Becker football coach Dwight Lundeen will be one of 12 people inducted into the Minnesota State High School League’s Hall of Fame Oct. 11 in St. Paul.

 

Two former University of Minnesota standouts are also on the ceremony’s list including Darrell Thompson and Krissy Wendell-Pohl — who achieved success at the collegiate levels and left their marks in Minnesota State High School League athletic programs.

 

Lundeen is the only football coach that Becker High School has ever had. He began the program in 1970 and has been on the sideline for 47 seasons.

 

During his tenure, he has built the Bulldogs into a Minnesota State High School League power. He has compiled a 329-145-3 record and ranks third all-time in victories, trailing only Ron Stolski of Brainerd and Verndale’s Mike Mahlen, both of whom still coach. 

 

Lundeen’s teams have captured 22 conference championships, made 15 state tournament appearances, played in seven Prep Bowls and won state crowns in 2005, 2014 and 2015. 

 

In 2015, he was selected the “Man of the Year” by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association (MFCA). 

 

Lundeen, a 1965 graduate of Cokato High School, was Becker’s activities director for 34 years. During his leadership, Becker grew from a school that offered seven activities to 35. He was inducted into the Minnesota Activity Director’s Association Hall of Fame in 2014. 

 

In addition to serving with the MFCA, Lundeen has held roles with the MSHSL, including Board of Directors president in 1998-99. He also is the longtime site supervisor for the Class A golf tournament at Pebble Creek.

 

The others selected for induction are: Minnesota prep track legend Heather Van Norman, who led Windom to two state titles; high school officiating pioneers Larry Gallagher of Crystal, Richard  Eldridge of St. Paul and Harry Kitts of Bloomington; former Wayzata cross country and track coach Bill Miles; administrators Marv Peters of Rochester and Kevin Merkle of Mahtomedi; Eastview speech and debate coach Todd Hering and choral music icon Bruce Phelps of Shoreview.

 

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony for this outstanding group is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel. The event is open to the public. 

 

For event tickets, contact the league office at 763-560-2262 or visit the league’s website at www.mshsl.org and click on the 2017 Hall of Fame Invitation link on the home page.

 

The league’s Hall of Fame, sponsored by Wells Fargo, started in 1991. The 2017 class is the 22nd group to be inducted. With this class, there now are 220 individuals in the hall.