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2014 USA Bandy Hall of Fame Inductee - Bob Kojetin

By staff, 10/03/14, 12:00PM CDT

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The Father of USA Bandy...

Bob Kojetin was the Park and Rec Director in Edina, MN in the 1970s and was also Commissioner of the Minnesota Softball Association. He not only organized a softball/bandy exchange between the International Softball Federation and International Bandy Federation but also built the first outdoor bandy rink, Lewis Park, in the United States in Edina, MN arranging an exhibition game in the late 1970’s between top level Swedish bandy clubs. Kojetin then established the American Bandy Association, becoming the ABA's first President in December 1980 and created the first USA bandy league at Lewis Park in January 1981. Under Kojetin's leadership USA bandy grew and flourished in the 1980s. He made sure the City of Edina not only maintained the ice at Lewis Park but also that the ice was the finest natural ice rink in the State of Minnesota. Kojetin also convinced the cities of Bloomington and Roseville to build and maintain bandy rinks. Bob was ABA President from 1981 to 1992 and continues to be an ambassador to USA Bandy. Without Bob Kojetin there would be no bandy in the USA-- he is truly the Father of USA Bandy.