New Hampshire head men’s hockey coach Richard Umile was taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital at approximately 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning after suffering a heart attack at his home in Portsmouth.
According to Nursing Supervisor Nancy Bruce, Umile was listed in fair condition as of 10 a.m. on Saturday.
“The athletic department was shocked to hear the news about Dick,” said UNH athletic director Dr. Judith Ray. “Coach Umile is a very important part of our athletic department team and we wish him a very quick recovery.”
On Friday night (March 7) Umile led his Wildcats to a 5-1 victory over UMass-Amherst in the quarterfinal round of the Hockey East championships.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with him and we are very concerned about his well-being,” said senior co-captain Tim Murray. “We want to rally behind this and it would be nice to win this one for him. He has done so much for us over the years.”
At this time, only immediate family is permitted to visit Umile. He will be moved on Sunday to the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Massachusetts.
“I sincerely hope Coach Umile has a quick recovery,” said UMass-Amherst coach Joe Mallen. “Dick is one of the finest gentlemen in the league. I’m proud to be associated with a guy like him.”
