Augsburg University Athletics

For parts of five decades, Saugestad taught hockey and educated Augsburg students. He began his Auggie coaching career while still a student at school, in 1958. Graduating from Augsburg with a double major in physical education and biology, he then went on to earn his master’s degree from the University of Minnesota in 1964. Saugestad was the men’s hockey coach at Augsburg from 1958-1996. During his tenure, his career mark was 503-354-21, second only to Gustavus’ Don Roberts (1964-67) record of 515-278-25 (MIAC play, 340-190-12). The two Minnesota coaches are the lone Division III coached ever to win more than 400 games, and only four coaches, across all NCAA Divisions, have won more games at just one institution. In Saugestad’s 37 years of coaching, he had only 11 overall losing seasons and just nine in MIAC play. Augsburg made nine appearances in the NAIA national tournament and one in the NCAA Division III national tournament under Saugestad. Augsburg appeared in 1971, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, and 1982, winning the national title in 1978, 1981, and 182, finishing third in 1971 and fourth in 1975 and 1977. Compiled a 12-10 record in nine NAIA tournaments and Augsburg’s nine NAIA tournament appearances is fourth-most among any college in the 17 years (1968-84) the NAIA sponsored hockey. Saugestad was named NAIA Coach of the Year after each of the national championship seasons and was named MIAC Coach of the Year six times. Saugestad’s Auggies won the MIAC title six years in a row (1977-82) and only one other team in the MIAC has won more consecutive conference hockey titles. Augsburg’s 16-0-0 MIAC team in 1981-82 compiled the most conference wins in a single season by an MIAC team and also set a league record for scoring, amassing 121 goals in 16 games. Only four teams since 1966-67 have gone unbeaten in conference play. Saugestad coached 22 players who were named All-Americans while at Augsburg.   In addition to coaching hockey for parts of five decades, he also served as Augsburg football coach from 1959-70 and 1972-84; he was men’s athletic director from 1981-87; and during his entire Augsburg career served as an instructor in Health and Physical Education department. February 17, 1996 was declared Ed Saugestad Day by the State of Minnesota.