One of the most recognizable family names in the historic history of Albert Lea Wrestling is the name "Skaar." The leader of this proud and successful wrestling family is Neal Skaar. To know Neal Skaar is to know an extremely modest and humble individual who always displays great integrity and sportsmanship. He's the kind of coach an opposing coach can talk to after a meet concludes and it never gets personal, no matter what side of the victory or defeat you might be on. In Neal's own words, "I consider myself to be very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be involved with many great individuals during my tenure at Albert Lea as a wrestler, coach, teacher and wrestling official. I do not consider myself to be extraordinary or worthy of fame. All I have done over the years is to show up. When that happens there is a good chance that good things will happen." Neal's interpretation of the above statement would no doubt be: "I was in the right place at the right time." However, his opposition would rather interpret it as: "Neal's coaching and wrestling made good things happen!" The Skaar name has been long connected to the success of the Albert Lea Wrestling Program. Neal's sons, Alex and Nate were State Placewinners for Albert High School. They went on to capture All-American honors in college too, both wrestling at their father's Alma Mater, Luther College in Decorah, Iowa . Alex was a NCAA III National Runner-up at 158 lbs in 1992. Brother, Nate, placed 5th in the NCAA III National Tournament in 1995 at 142 lbs. Their father, Neal, was a 3-time All-American, placing 5th in 1966, 6th in 1967 and 3rd in 1968 in the then NCAA "College Division." Neal Skaar also wrestled for Albert Lea High School under Hall of Fame Coach Paul Ehrhard. In college he was also an AllLutheran Tournament Champion in 1967 and 1968, and an Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Champion in 1967 and 1968. He sported an impressive college career record of 107-28 back when matches were not as plentiful as you see today. 100+ wins was a lot of wins in those days! After graduating from Luther College in 1968, Neal returned to Albert Lea High School as a teacher and assistant wrestling coach, serving under his former high school Hall of Fame Coach Paul Ehrhard. Neal taught English and Math. He also has maintained his hand in farming, living in nearby Hayward, Minnesota where he grew up. Neal took over the Albert Lea Head Coaching position from his former high school Coach Paul Ehrhard in 1979, he served in that position until 1991. He was assistant coach from 1968 to 1978. After stepping down as head coach, Neal has continued as a volunteer assistant to this day. During Neal's half a century involved in Albert Lea Wrestling the Albert Lea Tigers have won State Team Championships in 1971, 1976 and 1981. Neal was Head Coach for the '81 State Championship Team. During all this time Albert Lea has won 25 Big Nine Conference Titles, eight ('79, '80, '81, ''85, '86, '87, '90, '91) of those under Neal's Head Coaching reign. Skaar's overall head coaching record was an impressive 232-28. Skaar's Albert Lea's teams produced numerous State Champions and future collegiate All-Americans. For Neal's success as a coach and athlete he has been awarded with several honors over the years. He was voted Big Nine Wrestling "Coach of the Year" in 1991 and Albert Lea Tribune "Coach of the Year," also in 1991. Hall of Fame honors include the Luther College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1979; The Dave Bartelma-Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1998; The Mayo Civic Center/Region One Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2011: The Albert Lea High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016; and now the 2019 National Wrestling Hall of Fame-Minnesota Chapter. Neal, in his modest way has stated (Albert Lea Tribune-June 7, 2016): "We teach commitment, focus, and instill the proper attitudes into wrestlers, " he says. "Our job (as coaches) is to assist the athletes in applying the technique that works best for them. We teach them how to prepare and accomplish goals. Winning is just a byproduct of that." Neal's supportive family includes his wife Jean and four adult children in Alexander, Nathaniel, Katherine and Rebecca. The National wrestling Hall of Fame-Minnesota Chapter proudly recognizes Neal Skaar as a most deserved 2019 inductee. Congratulations to Neal on a tremendous career as a wrestler and coach!