Happy Bob McDonald Day in Minnesota!

Chisholm boys basketball coach Bob McDonald won his 1,000th game Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013. PHOTO: Minnesota State High School League

Gov. Mark Dayton proclaimed today, Feb. 11, 2014, Bob McDonald Day in Minnesota, a tip of the cap to the legendary Chisholm high school boys basketball coach during his final season at the helm of the Bluestreaks.

Tony Sertich, commissioner of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, will declare the proclamation at tonight’s Chisholm home basketball game. Sertich played for McDonald back in the ’90s (and perhaps serves as an example that even marginal bench players on McDonald teams learn valuable life skills). Chisholm will play rival Hibbing, the neighboring town, which is coached by McDonald’s son Joel.

That should be a pretty good ticket tonight at Chisholm High School.

Here’s the governor’s press release:

Governor Dayton Proclaims “Bob McDonald Day” in Minnesota, Celebrating Six Decades of Extraordinary Achievement
Over 59 seasons, Chisholm basketball coach first in state history to achieve 1,000 victories

ST. PAUL, MN – This year marks Bob McDonald’s 59th season as a beloved basketball coach in Minnesota. To honor Bob McDonald as a legend and icon in his community and across the state for his accomplishments as both a player and a coach, Governor Mark Dayton has proclaimed February 11, 2014, to be “Bob McDonald Day” in the State of Minnesota.

“I deeply regret that my recent hip surgery prevents me from attending Tuesday night’s game and personally presenting this proclamation to Bob McDonald,” said Governor Dayton. “Bob has more than earned ‘Bob McDonald Day in Minnesota,’ with over 1,000 victories and three state titles in his 59 years of coaching. During these almost six decades, he has coached boys and developed those boys into men. The entire State of Minnesota honors him for his phenomenal achievements.”

McDonald will be presented with an official proclamation in his honor at the Boys’ Varsity basketball game in Chisholm, Minnesota, on Tuesday February 11, 2014. Bob McDonald’s Chisholm Bluestreaks – the team McDonald has coached for 53 years – will take on neighbor city rival Hibbing, which is coached by Mr. McDonald’s youngest son Joel. Tuesday’s game will also mark the second-to-last home game for Chisholm this season.

Chisholm native, IRRRB Commissioner Tony Sertich – who also played for Coach McDonald in the early 90s – will present the proclamation on behalf of Governor Dayton. The game will be one of Coach McDonald’s last, in a career spanning six decades.

A copy of Governor Dayton’s proclamation declaring February 11, 2014, to be “Bob McDonald Day” in Minnesota can be found on the Governor’s website.

Bob McDonald – Winningest Basketball Coach in Minnesota History

Bob McDonald has coached high school basketball for 59 years, spending his last 53 seasons with the Chisholm Bluestreaks. Coach McDonald has achieved more than 1,000 victories, becoming the first Minnesota coach to do so, and remains the winningest coach in state history. McDonald led his team to the state tournament 11 times between 1973 and 2011, and won the state championship in 1973, 1975, and 1991.

Before his coaching days, Bob McDonald was an accomplished basketball player himself. Mr. McDonald played for Hibbing Junior College with the great Dick Garmaker, who played for the Minnesota Gophers and the Minneapolis Lakers.

Coach McDonald’s love of basketball is shared by his whole family. McDonald’s first wife, Darlene, kept statistics for the Chisholm Bluestreaks. Darlene’s seat in the gym’s balcony is now dedicated in her memory. McDonald’s six children, following in their father’s footsteps, were all outstanding players and many now coach other Minnesota high school basketball teams. Coach McDonald lives in Hibbing, Minnesota with his wife Carol.