The larger of the two rinks at Augsburg Ice Arena, Ed Saugestad Rink ("Rink A"), is the main competition rink for the Augsburg men's and women's hockey teams. It is one of only three on-campus ice rinks for colleges in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference; and one of only three on-campus ice facilities among all colleges and universities in the Twin Cities area (the other two are at the University of Minnesota).
Ed Saugestad Rink, like Si Melby Hall, was the subject of extensive work during the 2000 athletic facilities renovation project. The main focus of the renovation was the construction of new bleachers. The bleachers are fully compliant with current safety and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. A ramp takes you up to the bleachers, and there are several "cutouts" for our patrons using wheelchairs.
The ice sheet measures 200-feet long by 85-feet wide, the "NHL" standard for ice hockey ("Olympic" ice sheets are 200-by-100). The dasher boards and glass were replaced during the 2000 renovation project with new, NHL-standard boards and safety plexiglass.
In 2010, with the rededication of the rink in honor of Ed Saugestad, new graphics were installed throughout the rink, showcasing Saugestad's contributions to Augsburg, as well as the college's men's and women's hockey history.
In 2010, the rink was rededicated in honor of Ed Saugestad '59, the coach who built the school's men's hockey program to national prominence.
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.
There are three large murals on the north end of the arena depicting the rich history of Augsburg's men's and women's hockey programs, along with Ed Saugestad's history during his storied career at Augsburg.
Historic photos were acquired from Augsburg archives, and the murals were created by Stephen Geffre of the Augsburg Marketing and Communication department.
ike Si Melby Hall, Ed Saugestad Rink features two new Daktronics scoreboards, purchased and installed with assistance from the Pepsi-Cola corporation. The south-end scoreboard also has a two-line message board for in-event messaging.
There are two locker rooms for use by visiting teams and game officials in the main arena. The Augsburg squads have separate locker rooms outside of the arena.
The smaller of the two rinks at Augsburg Ice Arena, "Rink B," measures 200-feet by 70-feet, ideal for youth hockey. The small rink is the primary home of the
Figure Skating Club of Minneapolis, one of the largest figure skating clubs in Minnesota. The club uses the small rink for practices year-round, and holds several of its competitions and special programs on the main "Rink A" rink, as well as "Rink B." The FSCM office is in the small rink.
The small rink is also home to numerous community and college sporting events, including Augsburg intramurals in broomball and youth hockey. Both rinks also feature "open ice" hours for free use by Augsburg students, faculty and staff. There is also a locker room inside the small rink.
A new Daktronics scoreboard, purchased with assistance of the Pepsi-Cola corporation, is in the south end of "Rink B." Both rinks are served by an electric-powered, energy-efficient Zamboni ice resurfacer.
