Charles E. Holt, an 18-year head coach of the University of New Hampshire men’s ice hockey program, died early Friday morning in his Durham home at the age of 77 following a long bout with cancer.
“Charlie Holt’s achievements as a superb and universally respected hockey coach at UNH are well known,” said UNH President Joan R. Leitzel. “In addition, he left a great legacy on the ways student-athletes, coaches and citizens, in general, should conduct themselves and treat one another. His high ideals for perfection, professionalism, mutual respect, discipline and excellence will always be remembered and he will continue to serve as a role model for us and posterity.”
Described as an innovator and a visionary by innumerable players and peers, Holt was a three-time recipient of the Spencer T. Penrose Award as the nation’s top college hockey coach. He was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997.
“As great a hockey coach as he was, Charlie Holt was an even greater human being,” UNH Senior Associate Athletic Director and former longtime assistant men’s hockey coach David O’Connor said.
In his 18 years at the helm of the Wildcats, Holt compiled a 347-232-18 overall record and guided the team to the 1978-79 ECAC championship and three NCAA Tournament appearances. Prior to his tenure at New Hampshire, Holt recorded 65 victories as the head coach at Colby College.
Former UNH players Andy Brickley, Gordie Clark, Bobby Gould, Dave Lumley, Norman Lacomb, Bruce Crowder, Cap Raeder, Jamie Hislop, Bob Miller, and Rod Langway were some of Holt’s many student-athletes who went on to play in the NHL. Other players, such as UNH’s own head coaches Richard Umile and Bob Kullen, Mike McShane of Providence College, Bill Beaney of Middlebury College and Bob Francis of the Phoenix Coyotes, have followed in Holt’s footsteps behind the bench.
“Most people think of Charlie Holt as the legendary coach from UNH,” Umile said. “I knew him as a coach and mentor, but mostly as a dear friend whom I will deeply miss.”
Holt is survived by his wife, Nancy, and his children, Brad and Brenda.
Services will be announced at a later time. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the Charles Holt Scholarship Fund, University of New Hampshire, Field House, 145 Main St., Durham, N.H. 03824.
Charlie Holt’s year-by-year record at UNH
Year ECAC Record Overall Record
1968-69 10- 5-1 .656 22- 6-1 .776
1969-70 9- 6-2 .588 19-10-2 .645
1970-71 11- 9-0 .550 20- 9-0 .690
1971-72 13- 6-0 .684 20-10-0 .667
1972-73 11- 8-0 .579 16-10-3 .603
1973-74 15- 5-0 .750 22- 9-0 .710
1974-75 17- 7-1 .700 21- 9-1 .694
1975-76 22- 6-0 .786 24- 7-0 .774
1976-77 21- 6-0 .778 27-12-0 .692
1977-78 14-11-0 .560 18-12-0 .600
1978-79 17- 5-3 .740 22-10-3 .671
1979-80 9-15-0 .375 12-18-0 .400
1980-81 13-10-1 .563 19-13-1 .591
1981-82 15- 7-0 .682 22-14-0 .611
1982-83 15- 5-1 .738 22-11-2 .657
1983-84 13- 8-0 .619 20-17-1 .539
1984-85 12-21-1 .368 16-26-1 .384
1985-86 5-27-2 .176 5-29-3 .176
Total 242-167-12 .589 347-232-18 .596
First game at UNH: Nov. 30, 1968 (UNH 7, Merrimack 3)
First win at UNH: Nov. 30, 1968 (UNH 7, Merrimack 3)
Last win at UNH: March 1, 1986 (UNH 7, UMass-Lowell 4)
Last game at UNH: March 8, 1986 (Boston U. 4, UNH 3)
