"The big left hander" Al Abrahamson, was voted into the Minnesota Handball Hall of Fame as a contributor by the MSHA Board of Directors during their winter meeting. Al has been playing handball since he started with a tennis ball against two walls outside on the playground at St. Paul’s Lindwood Grade School in 1941 at the age of 13. He has won nearly 50 local club tournaments at the old St. Paul Downtown YMCA, St. Paul Athletic Club, St. Paul Jewish Community Center, Midway YMCA, Roseville Kings Court, McCarthy Gym, St. Anthony Club, Minneapolis Athletic Club and the Minneapolis YMCA — South 30 Club.

While he was a member at the St. Paul AC and the Minneapolis AC, he helped run and organize several Pro Stops and USHA Masters events. He has always been available to referee the opening rounds of any tournament. Those MSHA players who have played in our state events over the past 15 —20 years surely remember the cows on the shirts, shorts, and gym bags and the yogurt!

In 1992, Al was presented with the Magee Award at the Minneapolis Athletic Club. That award is "presented annually to the MAC handball player who has demonstrated leadership, commitment and enthusiasm to the sport of handball as chosen by his fellow handball players." Who better to go into the MSHA Handball Hall of Fame?

Al stopped playing in 2000 due to his bad knees. Just before the holidays, Al had his second knee replacement. We all certainly hope Al will be back after rehabilitation to grace us with his presence at future handball tournaments. His contributions to the MSHA of his time, energy, enthusiasm, product, and money, as well as his cows, will be fondly remembered by all MSHA members. Al will be inducted into the Minnesota Handball Hall of Fame on Friday May 10, 2002, at Wabasha Street Caves in St. Paul by Jack Rogers and Ben Kristensen. Congratulations Al!