To commemorate Waterloo Black Hawks Head Coach P.K. O’Handley setting a new record for career coaching victories in the United States Hockey League, the City of Waterloo proclaimed January 31st to be P.K. O’Handley Day during the City Council’s Monday meeting.

O’Handley broke the previous league record on January 18th as the Hawks edged the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 squad, 2-1, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  It was the 530th career win for O’Handley, surpassing former Omaha Lancers’ Head Coach Mike Hastings.  The Black Hawks added two more victories to their coach’s total last weekend, 3-1 and 6-2, on the road against the Fargo Force.

“It’s a very humbling experience, and none of this would be possible without a lot of good players, coaches and staff people,” O’Handley remarked to the large gathering in Waterloo’s council chambers.  “Waterloo is my home; it’s a great place to live and work.”

January 31st – this coming Friday – is the date of the Black Hawks’ first home game since the milestone win.  Waterloo will host the Muskegon Lumberjacks at Young Arena, beginning at 7:05 p.m.

“If you’ve never been to a Black Hawks game, you need to go,” noted Waterloo Mayor Buck Clark as he made the proclamation.

The Hawks will also spend the weekend celebrating the Cedar Valley’s enduring heritage as a John Deere manufacturing hub, by wearing special jerseys featuring the brand’s iconic logo Friday against the Lumberjacks and during Saturday’s matchup with the Sioux City Musketeers.  The jerseys will be auctioned after Saturday’s contest to benefit local youth hockey programs.  Tickets for Deere employees and their families will be just $7 when an employee badge is displayed at purchase or pickup.

For more information, call the Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 291-7680 or visit waterlooblackhawks.com.

Full text of the City of Waterloo’s Proclamation

WHEREAS, the Waterloo Black Hawks have brought fun, excitement and pride to Waterloo and the Cedar Valley; and

WHEREAS, under the tutelage of Head Coach P.K. O’Handley, many young hockey players have bettered themselves in hockey, including the NHL, and other careers; and

WHEREAS, passion and love for the sport of hockey has proved Coach O’Handley an excellent coach and fan favorite; and

WHEREAS, on January 18, 2014, P.K. O’Handley coached his team to his 530th victory, becoming the new USHL record holder with 530 wins and counting!

NOW THEREFORE, I, Buck Clark, Mayor of the City of Waterloo, do hereby proclaim Friday, January 31, 2014, in Waterloo as P.K. O’HANDLEY DAY and invite all to the Black Hawks home game this Friday, January 31, 2014, 7:00 p.m. at the Young Arena to experience exciting hockey and the ceremony honoring Waterloo Black Hawks Head Coach P.K. O’Handley.

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