MN Senior Sports Association Inducts Long-Time SSUSA Player in Hall of Fame

May 1, 2026

By Nic Francois
Softball News Report

     FRIDLEY, MINN. – The Minnesota Senior Sports Association (MSSA) has inducted 10 senior athletes into their Hall of Fame. Lon Stole, long-time Senior Softball USA player, was their senior softball honoree.

     Stole started with SSUSA in the early 2000s and was inducted into the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame in 2023. Recently, he’s played with the Minnesota River Bats 70s and Team Minnesota 75s teams at the Major and Major Plus levels.

Lon Stole's 2026 National Senior Softball Hall of Fame photo.

     The banquet’s program pointed out that Stole plays about 100 games per year at 75 years of age and has played on teams that won 20 National and World Championships.

     MSSA was found by the late Bob McNamara, and SSUSA’s Dick Anderson, manager of Team Rehab, player and coach for the World Championships’ 90+ East Team and SSUSA Hall of Famer, class of 2023. Don Bowman, manager of the Minnesota River Bats 70s, is the current vice president of MSSA.

     MSSA inducts several senior athletes across several different sports at their annual banquet. They are a non-profit association created to encourage and support participation in amateur sports activity by men and women age 50 and older.

     Proceeds from the banquet are donated to the Special Olympics.

     Other inductees this year include:

•  Elaine DeVries (Marathon)
• Michael Koppy (Ultra Running)
• Randy Moselle (Baseball)
• Brenda Dockendorf (Power Lifting)
• Patsy Lillehei (Swimming)
• Betsy Murray (Track)
• Pat Worley (Karate & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu)
• Jackie Faegre (Pickleball)
• Chris Middlebrook (Bandy)
• Mud Ducks Hockey (Team of the Year)

     If you live in Minnesota, consider attending their 2027 Hall of Fame banquet. MSSA can be contacted from their website: https://www.mnseniorsports.com/contact.html.