The Algona Community Schools Wall of Fame Committee is excited to announce the Class of 2021 Wall of Fame inductees. This year’s selections are as follows:
Howie Stephensen: Coach Stephensen coached the AHS boys’ basketball teams from 1960 to 1977, compiling a record of 282 - 159. Stephensen took four teams to the State tournament. During his tenure, the AHS boys’ basketball teams won six NCC Conference titles. In 1988, Coach Stephensen was inducted into the Iowa High School Coaches Hall of Fame.
Dave Rosonke: Coach Rosonke coached various levels of basketball from 1968-69, and then again from 1974-1997, following military service with the US Army Rangers from 1969-1971. Rosonke then returned to coach after a one year hiatus to finish his career during the 1998-99 season. During his time as head coach from 1993-1997 and again in 1998, Rosonke led the Bulldogs to a pair of State tournament bids, including a runner-up finish in 1996. His career record as the head coach at AHS was 81-28, a winning percentage of 74%! During his years as head coach, Rosonke’s teams never finished worse than 4th in the NCC, winning the championship during the 1996 campaign.
Tom Claude: Tom Claude, from the class of 1967, has been involved with AHS athletics since he was a student athlete here. As an athlete, Claude was a multi-sport athlete who excelled in football, basketball, baseball, and golf. On the basketball court, Claude played on the 1966 team that qualified for the State tournament, a season that saw him lead the NCC in scoring. Following his career at AHS, Claude went on to play baseball and basketball at Luther College. Once his playing career was over, Claude continued his involvement with athletics through officiating. During a career spanning 50 years, Claude officiated football, baseball, basketball, and softball. As an official, Claude worked four State football championships, 17 football playoff games, 8 State basketball games, including 2 title games each for boys’ and girls’ basketball. In March of 2003, Claude was selected for the Iowa High School Athletic Union’s Hall of Fame.
2005 Volleyball Team: The 2005 AHS Volleyball team put together a magical season as they compiled an overall match record of 40-1. This group won the NCC title with a perfect 9-0 record (a game record of 27-1!), and qualified for the State tournament. The Bulldogs made it to the State championship game, finishing the season as the State runner up. This team included four players who received All-State recognition and nine who were recognized as Conference selections!
1996 Boys’ Basketball: The 1996 boys’ basketball team at AHS put together an incredible season that saw them win the Conference championship with a 17-1 record. This group carried their winning ways to the State championship game where they finished as State runners-up. This group included five members who were named to All-Conference teams and also boasted the 1996 All-Tournament team captain.
The Algona High School Wall of Fame Committee will hold an induction ceremony this coming fall, dates and times are to be determined. The committee welcomes nominations for future recognition, nominations close each year on March 1st. Nomination forms can be obtained through the “Wall of Fame” tab at www.algona.k12.ia.us, or in person at the Algona Community Schools Central Administration office.
Pictured: 2020 Wall of Fame inductees