Hall of Fame
Art Hass, Class of 1941, played in the Coe football line in 1938, 1939 and 1940. He was a tough, durable, defensive lineman in the best tradition of teams coached by Moray Eby and Forest Rittgers. But, his real niche in athletic accomplishment came as coach after graduation at Coe. He began his coaching career at smaller Iowa towns, including Fayette, Grundy Center and Decorah. These assignments prepared him for a long-term high school coaching career at Austin, Minnesota, a school that played in southern Minnesota's Big Nine Conference, one of the state's most competitive athletic groups. His overall football record at Austin was 158 wins, 57 losses, and 11 ties. During his tenure his Austin team won the Big Nine championship six times. In addition, they won the Minnesota State Championship three times. From 1969 through 1981, Art Hass also served as athletic director at Austin High School. Generations of Austin athletes had outstanding coaching in football skills and consistent examples of positive character traits from their coach, Art Hass. His fellow coaches in Minnesota recognized him through selection to the Minnesota Football Coaches Hall of Fame. In light of their recognition, and to express our appreciation on behalf of the hundreds of young men who learned football and living from Art Hass, we induct him this morning into the Kohawk Athletic Hall of Fame.
