MINNEAPOLIS -- Augsburg College will honor Ed Saugestad '59, the coach who built the school's men's hockey program to national prominence, by naming the main competition rink at the Augsburg Ice Arena in his honor during a ceremony this Saturday.

As part of the school's Homecoming weekend, Augsburg will rename the main rink at the Augsburg Ice Arena as Ed Saugestad Rink. The ceremony will begin on Saturday at 6 p.m., with a reception in the Si Melby Hall gymnasium. After a program in the gymnasium, the event will move to the Augsburg Ice Arena, where the formal dedication will take place. A set of three large murals, illustrating Saugestad's career, the Augsburg men's hockey program's history and the Augsburg women's hockey program's history, will be unveiled.

A 1959 Augsburg alumnus, Saugestad began his coaching career during his senior year, 1958, and coached the Auggies until 1996, compiling a 503-354-21 record. His Auggies won Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles six straight years (1977-82), qualified for national tournament play 10 times and won the NAIA national championship in 1978, 1981 and 1982. He coached 22 All-Americans during his Augsburg career. Saugestad was named NAIA National Coach of the Year three times and MIAC Coach of the Year six times.

Saugestad was awarded the American Hockey Coaches Association's John MacInnes Award in 2002 to honor his contributions in the growth of amateur hockey in the United States, and was named as the Hobey Baker Legends of Hockey honoree in 2007. The MIAC christened its playoff championship trophy as the Ed Saugestad Trophy in 1998. He was inducted into Augsburg's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1978.

In addition to his hockey coaching duties, Saugestad also served on the Augsburg football coaching staff from 1959-84, including two years (1970-71) as head coach. Now recognized as a Faculty Emeriti, Saugestad taught in the Health and Physical Education department throughout his career, and served as the college's men's athletic director from 1981-87. The Augsburg athletic department has named its academic awards for male student-athletes as the Ed Saugestad Academic Award.

For more information on Saturday's event, contact the Augsburg Alumni Relations office at 612-330-1085. Click on this link (www.augsburg.edu/homecoming) for a full schedule of events during Augsburg's Homecoming week this week.