Ed Saugestad, who took Augsburg’s hockey program to the heights of small college hockey, died Thursday morning after a short battle with cancer. He was 77.
Saugestad had a 503-354-21 record in a 37-year coaching career. He started as a player-coach in 1958-59 and, with the exception of taking a sabbatical year, stayed on the job until the end of 1995-96 season. In the process, he guided the Auggies to three NAIA titles (the predecessor to the NCAA Division III tournament).
Saugestad’s teams won six straight Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles. They appeared in 10 postseason tournaments and produced 22 All-Americans.
Saugestad was the conference coach of the year six times and the national coach of the year three times.
The larger of two rinks at the Augsburg Ice Arena is named after Saugestad.
– Pioneer Press, http://www.twincities.com
