Emily McNamara, a decorated college hockey coach and former national championship player, has died six months after suffering critical injuries in a car crash. She was 42.
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Middlebury College announced that McNamara, an assistant coach for its women's hockey program, died Friday. She had been seriously injured in March when her SUV collided with a construction truck during snowy conditions on Route 74 in Cornwall, Vermont.
"We have been in touch with Emily's family to share our sorrow and our full support during this difficult time," Middlebury president Ian Baucom said in a statement. "Emily's husband Dave, all her family, her colleagues, the students on the team, and everyone who knew her are deeply in our hearts."
Tributes have poured in from across college hockey, including from Hamilton College, where McNamara spent 11 seasons as head coach before returning to her alma mater.
"Coach Mac's legacy lives on in every player she coached and every life she touched along the way," Hamilton's women's hockey program said.
McNamara was named Division III Coach of the Year for the 2022-23 season after leading Hamilton to the NCAA tournament.
Her connection to Middlebury stretched back decades. As a player, McNamara helped the Panthers win three consecutive national championships, with the program compiling a remarkable 100-13-3 record during her career.
She later returned as an assistant and helped Middlebury reach two national semifinals before taking the Hamilton job in 2012.
McNamara had rejoined the Panthers' coaching staff in 2025.
