The time is now for area youth to sign up for the 2002 Austin Youth Football League. All youths who will be in grades 5-8 as of September 2002 are eligible to register.

This is the 29th year of Austin Youth Football, and registration is open now until August 17. If you did not receive a registration form in the mail, stop into the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, 121 4th Ave. NE, or South Central Athlete, 209 N. Main, in Austin.

Registration fee is $25 per family, or $35 per player if submitted after the registration deadline. Anyone registerting after August 17 will be charged the late fee and will not be guaranteed a spot on a team in their area.

Youth soccer starts August 14

The Austin Park and Recreation Department is offering Fall Outdoor Soccer starting August 14.

Deadline for sign up is Aug 2. All soccer will be played at the Todd Park Soccer Complex.

Players ages 5-11 will be separated into three different divisions for practices, which begin Wednesday, Aug. 14, for all age groups.

Players will need to provide some of their own equipment: shin guards, tennis shoes, water bottle, Park and Rec reversible tank-top.

Cost is $10 to participate.

Coaches are also needed. Call the Austin Park and Rec office at 433-1881 for more information.

AWBA meeting next Saturday

The Austin Women's Bowling Association will hold its annual fall meeting at Echo Lanes on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 1 p.m. The meeting will be followed by a no-tap tournament. All bowlers in the tournament will have their names in a drawing for two free membership dues.

The rules for the City Tournament will be voted on at this meeting. Also new information for the secretaries will be presented.

The 600 Club will meet August 10 at noon at Echo Lanes.

For further information, or if you are unable to attend, call Jean Burke at (507) 437-7946.

Alumni Challenge in two weeks

The 2002 Austin High Alumni Challenge is scheduled Saturday, August 17.

The tournament will be played in

Ove Berven Gymnasium at Austin High School.

Called "The Quest for the Scarlet Crest," the tournament's promoters are inviting former AHS Packers basketball players to return for a day of hoops in the gym they revered as high schoolers.

Eliot T. Christensen and Ryan R. Bonorden, members of the 1993 AHS graduating class, are sponsoring the tournament.

Proceeds will go to Austin Public Schools student-athlete charities, such as the Austin Packer Backer Booster Club and Austin Public Education Foundation, as well as the Wescott Athletic Field renovation project.

The promoters are seeking teams of five players from the same graduating class.

All players from pre-1980 graduating classes will be assigned to an all-star team.

Each team's entry fee is $150. The money will be used to cover expenses with any proceeds going to the student-athlete organizations or Wescott project.

For more information and an entry form, contact Christensen at 320-763-4296 or write The Quest for the Scarlet Crest, I-C-O Eliot T. Christensen, 603 Victor Street, Alexandria, Minn., 56308.