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LeRoy Maas stands by a tree in Morin Park, one of many
Albert Lea parks he helped oversee during his 17 years as the city's
recreation director. With another 37 years as a teacher and coach, his
legacy in town in secure.
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Photo by Jeff Mulfinger
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By Jim Lutgens
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The
Albert
Lea Tribune
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Published Sunday, July 08, 2001 3:24 PM CDT
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Some
people
sit around and wonder what kind of legacy they'll leave when all
is said and done.
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Not
LeRoy
Maas.
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His
legacy
in Albert Lea is undeniable, dating back nearly six decades and
certain to continue many more. From the programs he founded as the
city's recreation director to the thousands of lives he reached as a
teacher and coach, Maas will be remembered for his dedication to youth.
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Maas
is
not young anymore, but he's still going strong. He and his wife,
Lillian, celebrated their 65th anniversary in June, and they spend the
winter months in Arizona. Their Albert Lea condominium overlooks
Fountain Lake and the city beach, which only seems appropriate given
Maas' years of service to the community's parks.
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At
88,
he's the oldest living city employee, dating back to 1943 when he
was head life guard at the beach. He's also the oldest employee of
School District 241.
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To
list
all of Maas' accomplishments, involvements and awards is not
possible here. You can, however, access the information on his web site
at www.lmaasscholarship.org.
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There,
you'll
also learn about the LeRoy Maas Wrestling Scholarship, which was
established in Maas' name by some of his former wrestlers several years
ago.
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It
awards
at least one scholarship to an Albert Lea High School graduating
senior every year.
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It's
the
kids Maas influenced that he's most proud of. They're adults now of
course, some of them retired like he is, and they won't let people
forget the positive impact Maas had on their lives.
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On
the
web site, you'll find a logo created by former Albert Lea Mayor
Marv Wangen with an old-fashioned pump and an inscription reading: "Roy
Maas: He is the water that primed the pump for thousands."
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Accompanying
it
is a testimonial by Dr. Manny Steil, one of Maas' former wrestlers
and a founder of the scholarship. It reads: "The pump is symbolic as
LeRoy Maas is the water that primed the pumps of thousands for more
than 40 years. As a teacher, coach, mentor and friend, LeRoy Maas has
helped Albert Lea youth fulfill their optimal promise. The LeRoy Maas
Scholarships will continue to honor LeRoy Maas and prime the pump of
Albert Lea students forever."
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An
athlete
since his days as a boy in Lauderdale - a speck on the map
between Minneapolis and St. Paul - Maas decided as a young man to
pursue a career involving kids and sports.
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"This
is
something I have never shared before," said Maas. "When I was in
college, I dedicated my life to working with youth and being involved
in sports. I loved kids, I loved sports, I loved working with people,
and I knew that is what I wanted to do with my life."
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Maas
grew
to love sports - particularly hockey and football - as a kid
attending Ramsey County's District 17 grade school. The third of six
children, Maas remembers finding positive role models in athletics.
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"My
dad
was a magazine salesman, and we never saw much of him," said Maas.
"But there was a fellow in Lauderdale, Mike Schultz, and he loved
sports. He hauled us around to games - baseball, softball, hockey."
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He
wanted
to go to college but figured he couldn't afford it. After
countless odd jobs and a year off, he eventually earned both a
bachelor's and master's degree and took post-graduate courses.
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It
was
after his freshman year at St. Cloud State, where he lettered in
football, hockey and golf, that Maas almost quit college for good. He
was getting up at 5 a.m. for a construction job and working nights
bartending at a "road house."
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He
returned
to school two years later at Bemidji State upon the urging of
his friend Herb Keller, captain of the football team.
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"There
was
no hockey program," said Maas, who paid his way working at the ice
arena and at restaurants around town. He starred on the football field,
making the all-star team as a junior, but broke his leg the second game
of his senior year.
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"Some
guy
cut across and clipped me," said Maas.
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But
it
started a tradition that continues to this day.
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"Because
I
was laid up, they elected me homecoming king - the first time they
ever elected a homecoming king," said Maas. "They've had one every year
since then."
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Though
he
couldn't play collegiately, Maas remained heavily involved in
hockey, playing in three different leagues. He also helped organize an
adult city team, started a grade-school hockey program and the high
school hockey team. All as a student.
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It
set
the tone for his professional career, which included brief stops in
Onamia and Tracy, Minn., before beginning his long Albert Lea tenure in
1943. It included 37 years as a teacher and coach and 17 as recreation
director.
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Maas
said
it wouldn't have been possible without Lillian, whom he met at
Bemidji State.
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"Any
success
I have achieved must be shared with by my "help mate" - my wife
Lillian," said Maas. "Without here, none of this could have happened."
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What
happened
in ALHS physical education classes when Maas came to town was
a bit of a shocker for the students. The superintendent, J. John
Halverson gave Maas brief instructions: The physical education programs
were out of control, and he wanted discipline.
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Maas
was
happy to provide it, first instituting the "spanking machine" for
disobedient students. This was replaced a couple years later by the
"duck walk," a lap around the gym while squatting. That, too, also
eventually faded into memory, though Maas isn't quite sure when.
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"I
was
probably one of the strictest teachers in the district," said Maas.
"And it's strange. These kids come back to me and say, 'Well, at least
you taught us discipline."
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A
testimonial
to this hangs on the wall of Maas' office, signed by dozens
of former students and presented at his retirement party in 1980. It's
a caricature of a young Maas, whistle in hand, saying: "All right you
joker. Duck walk!"
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Former
student
Chuck Anderson said Maas was tough but compassionate.
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"Roy
was
the track coach in 1955 during my one year of participation," said
Anderson. "I did run in one 440-yard race and finished seventh out of
nine runners. After the race, he told me I had a great stride but the
problem was that it was all behind me. The way he told me inspired me
instead of humiliating me.
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"Roy
was
a strict teacher, and too much goofing off usually meant duck
walking around the gym," added Anderson. "Roy was and is deeply
respected by his former students, which can be attested by the
scholarship set up in his name. The biggest thing about Roy is the
respect people had for him - after they got out of high school. He's a
guy everybody liked and respected."
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Maas
has
no regrets.
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"I
believe
my dreams have been fulfilled," said Maas. "In have served the
youth of the state of Minnesota, the county of Freeborn, the city of
Albert Lea to the best of my ability.
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"I
believe
they are better places to live because I passed through on my
journey of life."
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Story courtesy of the Albert
Lea Tribune, Published Sunday,
July 08, 2001
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Legacy enhanced
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The
legacy
of LeRoy Maas was already well established.
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This
just
enhanced it a bit.
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In
recognition
of Maas' positive 40-year impact on thousands of Albert Lea
High School students, a bronze sculpture was commissioned and donated
by Frank F. Gallagher and the families of Todd Gallagher, Carolee
(Gallagher) McCormick, and Timothy Gallagher on behalf of the ALHS
class of 1956.
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The
sculpture
of Maas was created by California artist Ethel Reeble, who
studied with world famous sculptor Bruno Lucchesi.
