Former Austin high school softball head coach Al Eckman will be inducted in to the Minnesota High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame Oct. 9 at the Sheraton in West Minneapolis.

The banquet will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. and will be preceded by a social hour from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Family, friends and former players are invited to attend and help honor these outstanding coaches. Tickets for this event may be obtained by contacting Jim Baker at (651) 357-2937 or by email at jbad154@hotmail.com The MSHSCA will also honor all of the 2009-2010 championship coaches, coaches of the year, assistant coaches of the year and officials.

Joining Eckman in the hall will be Debbie Driscoll, gymnastics coach at Mahtomedi High School, James Reinhardt, football and basketball coach at Rushford/Peterson High School, Walt Weaver, volleyball coach at Apple Valley High School, and Warren Keller, football and basketball coach at Stephen Argyle High School and Warroad High School.