It is fitting that South St. Paul, Doug's boyhood home, and city where Doug's hockey future had its genesis, honor Doug by renaming the ice arena in appreciation of the honor and recognition he has brought to the city. The name "Wakota" was adopted when the arena was built, but has no real meaning as it is simply a contraction of Washington County and Dakota County. Since the arena has no affiliation with Washington County, nothing is lost and no slights should be felt with the change to the more appropriate renaming.
A brief review of Doug's hockey career and contributions, as compiled by the U of M Athletics Media Relations Contact John Romo, willleave no question as to the appropriateness of this renaming:
A three-time All-State selection as a prep at South St. Paul, he became an All-American at Minnesota under head coach John Mariucci. He then followed his playing days with an illustrious coaching career which took him from junior hockey to high school to the University of Minnesota. Heavily involved with USA Hockey throughout his career, Woog was also an assistant coach with the 1984 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team
Woog had a spectacular run as head coach of the Golden Gophers. In his 14-year coaching career, Woog led the Golden Gophers to an NCAA-record 12 consecutive tournament appearances, including six trips to the NCAA Final Four. He amassed a staggering 389 wins during his tenure, more than any other head coach in the history of the hockey program to that time.
His connection with Golden Gopher Hockey remains strong as he is in his second year as analyst for Fox Sports Net. He appreciates the opportunity to keep preparing for an upcoming opponent and offering his unique and often colorful insight into the game.
He was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002.
Perhaps better than anything that can be written about Doug's illustrious career, Doug's own words convey the mettle of the man,
"I never coached for money," Woog said. "I'm pretty lucky. Not a lot of people get the opportunity to stay in the same community, the same state, within a mile for over 30 years. Every morning you wake up, you're not thinking about going to a job. The game of hockey was never a job for me and that's a very fun way to live."*
Renaming the arena is an honor Doug is due, but the real tribute with this change is to the City of South St. Paul, which will be honored to have the name of Doug Woog grace our facility.
*Athletics Media Relations Men's Hockey Contact John Romo
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
April 16, 2015
March 12, 2015
I really never expected to see one hundred names on this list so quickly. This is entirely because of you and your love for Coach Woog.
Reached 100 supporters
March 11, 2015
757 Comments
Class act. Doug was my fuidance counselor in high school. He is also oir neighbor down the hill. A fantastic athlete, teacher and coach who would always lead by example.
Coach Woog helped me start my Hockey career at his Woog Hockey Camps, and now I am working in the NHL. He is a wonderful family man and great hockey mind! Well deserving of this.
Mr Woog was a fantastic teacher at SSP who really cared about his students. He was a great role model for the community not just the rink rats. I definately think Wakota should be renamed in his honor. It is the very least SSP can do for a man who never lost his small town roots.
This is something that should be done. when my family first moved to So St Paul Doug was one of the first to welcome us to the community. He has always been a great spokesperson for the community and its opportunities not only hockey but the many benefits of the South St Paul Community. This recognition is long overdue.
This arena should be named the "Doug Woog Ice Arena" not just for the contributions Doug has made to the city and State for hockey, but his dedication to the people of SSP. He was a great advisor and mentor at SSPHS, and I will never forget his words of wisdom and help and love and support he gave me.
This would be so fitting to name it after Doug.
South Saint Paul hockey IS Doug Woog.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
It is fitting that South St. Paul, Doug's boyhood home, and city where Doug's hockey future had its genesis, honor Doug by renaming the ice arena in appreciation of the honor and recognition he has brought to the city. The name "Wakota" was adopted when the arena was built, but has no real meaning as it is simply a contraction of Washington County and Dakota County. Since the arena has no affiliation with Washington County, nothing is lost and no slights should be felt with the change to the more appropriate renaming.
A brief review of Doug's hockey career and contributions, as compiled by the U of M Athletics Media Relations Contact John Romo, willleave no question as to the appropriateness of this renaming:
A three-time All-State selection as a prep at South St. Paul, he became an All-American at Minnesota under head coach John Mariucci. He then followed his playing days with an illustrious coaching career which took him from junior hockey to high school to the University of Minnesota. Heavily involved with USA Hockey throughout his career, Woog was also an assistant coach with the 1984 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team
Woog had a spectacular run as head coach of the Golden Gophers. In his 14-year coaching career, Woog led the Golden Gophers to an NCAA-record 12 consecutive tournament appearances, including six trips to the NCAA Final Four. He amassed a staggering 389 wins during his tenure, more than any other head coach in the history of the hockey program to that time.
His connection with Golden Gopher Hockey remains strong as he is in his second year as analyst for Fox Sports Net. He appreciates the opportunity to keep preparing for an upcoming opponent and offering his unique and often colorful insight into the game.
He was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame in 2002.
Perhaps better than anything that can be written about Doug's illustrious career, Doug's own words convey the mettle of the man,
"I never coached for money," Woog said. "I'm pretty lucky. Not a lot of people get the opportunity to stay in the same community, the same state, within a mile for over 30 years. Every morning you wake up, you're not thinking about going to a job. The game of hockey was never a job for me and that's a very fun way to live."*
Renaming the arena is an honor Doug is due, but the real tribute with this change is to the City of South St. Paul, which will be honored to have the name of Doug Woog grace our facility.
*Athletics Media Relations Men's Hockey Contact John Romo
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
April 16, 2015
March 12, 2015
I really never expected to see one hundred names on this list so quickly. This is entirely because of you and your love for Coach Woog.
Reached 100 supporters
March 11, 2015
757 Comments
Doug is the "Poster Boy" for youth hockey in MN. I saw all of the games he played in the H.S. Hockey Tournament. He deserves this honor. It's a tribute to him and to South St. Paul hockey as well.
Class act. Doug was my fuidance counselor in high school. He is also oir neighbor down the hill. A fantastic athlete, teacher and coach who would always lead by example.
Coach Woog helped me start my Hockey career at his Woog Hockey Camps, and now I am working in the NHL. He is a wonderful family man and great hockey mind! Well deserving of this.
Mr Woog was a fantastic teacher at SSP who really cared about his students. He was a great role model for the community not just the rink rats. I definately think Wakota should be renamed in his honor. It is the very least SSP can do for a man who never lost his small town roots.
This is something that should be done. when my family first moved to So St Paul Doug was one of the first to welcome us to the community. He has always been a great spokesperson for the community and its opportunities not only hockey but the many benefits of the South St Paul Community. This recognition is long overdue.
This arena should be named the "Doug Woog Ice Arena" not just for the contributions Doug has made to the city and State for hockey, but his dedication to the people of SSP. He was a great advisor and mentor at SSPHS, and I will never forget his words of wisdom and help and love and support he gave me.
This would be so fitting to name it after Doug.
South Saint Paul hockey IS Doug Woog.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 1,500 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
Doug is the "Poster Boy" for youth hockey in MN. I saw all of the games he played in the H.S. Hockey Tournament. He deserves this honor. It's a tribute to him and to South St. Paul hockey as well.