UMD unveils plaque dedicating Amsoil press box to Bob Nygaard

The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) honored long time Bulldog Assistant Athletic Director of Communications Bob Nygaard on Saturday.

With a permanent plaque and signage installed outside the press box, located on the main concourse of AMSOIL Arena.

Nygaard, a Duluth native, was one of the longest serving members in UMD athletic staff history overseeing all public and media relations efforts from 1983-2019.

“I’ve always said that having something named after you be it a building, an arena, a street, scholarship, or an award is one of the greatest ways I think to be remembered. I spent a lot of time here. Never expected this kind of honor, to be thought of by UMD athletics this way is pretty cool. It wouldn’t have been 37 years without them,” said Nygaard after unveiling his plaque.

A release from UMD stated that during that time he oversaw “day-to-day production and operations of the Bulldogs’ website, social media strategy and historical statistics, and coordinated promotional campaigns that culminated in a NCAA-record six Bulldogs (Scott Perunovich in 2020, Jack Connolly in 2012, Junior Lessard in 2004, Chris Marinuci in 1994, Bill Watson in 1985 and Tom Kurvers in 1984) winning the Hobey Baker Memorial Award.”

He currently serves as the Duluth Amateur Hockey Association’s executive director, a position he’s held since July 2020.