Bowman, Thompson, 2001 Legends Inducted in Minnesota Hall of Fame

May 1, 2017

VADNAIS HEIGHTS, MN --- Elite player/manager Don Bowman and the 2001 Minnesota Legends team were inducted into the Minnesota Senior Sports Association Hall of Fame here on May 19.  In addition, Lowell Thompson was inducted for three sports: track, golf and softball.

They were inducted along with notable senior athletes in 18 sports. 

The 2001 Minnesota Legends team won two of the top tournaments in America that year: the World Championships in Las Vegas and the USSSA Nationals in Lakewood, Colorado.  The team won the USSSA tournament shortly after the Columbine High School shooting in that city and it won the World Championships in Las Vegas a few days before 9/11.

The players are now in their late 70s and 80s.

The team leader, Dick Anderson, has gone on to win a number of other titles – including the 85 Division World Masters last year in Las Vegas.  Another member of the 2001 Legends still plays with Anderson, Larry Herickhoff, and a third member of the 2001 team, Darrell Laschen, not only still plays, but has won the precision hitting contest at the Tournament of Champions a record 4 times in a row.

In introducing the team at the banquet, Terry Hennessy, SSUSA’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “These senior athletes prove that there is no age restriction on excellence.  They have thrown open the door to the lifelong competition at a high level.  Their example inspires younger athletes to strive to continue playing well into retirement, keeping their golden years active and memorable.”

Don Bowan, who has been a player and manager on 14 World Championship teams, was inducted for softball.  Bowman was named All World manager three times and All World Player 10 times.

In addition, Bowman is a National Qualifying Tournament Director for both SSUSA and SPA and is involved in both the Senior Olympics and the Senior Games.   Bowman and Bill Geisbauer are the tournament directors for SSUSA’s newest TOC Qualifier: the Steve Simmons Memorial Mosquitoland TOC Qualifier in June.

Lowell Thompson, a force in Minnesota sports for decades, was inducted for three sports – track, softball and golf.  Thompson won 10 National Softball championships and was named All Tournament 11 times.  In addition, he won 71 State Sprint Championships, holds 7 Minnesota Sprint records and won the Golf Club Match Play Championships twice.