As some of you know, my wife Heather was the manager for Plattsburgh
in 1991-92 and was on the Plattsburgh bench when this incident
occurred, so we had a definite interest in seeing the Rescue 911
story. We didn't know it was on, but fortunately, two different
people called us to tell us as it started and we did not miss much. :-)
This was at least the second time it was on; the first was last season
sometime and we missed it then. BTW, there was a re-enactment done
during the 1992-93 season when Elmira made its next trip to Plattsburgh.
That must have been very strange.
The Plattsburgh player who delivered the check was (then) senior
captain Steve Ashe, whose brother Tommy is the top defenseman for
Boston College this season and scored the Beanpot-winning goal for the
Eagles last year. I have had a chance to meet Steve several times
through Heather, and he is a very nice kid. It is easy to see how, as
Heather always tells me, Steve was really torn up by what happened.
I wonder now whether he was there for the re-enactment, since he had
graduated by then - I could see how it would have been very difficult
for him to be involved in it (not to mention McNamara). I'll have to
ask Heather.
The story was well done, although I did wish they had at least
mentioned Ashe's reaction and the fact that the Plattsburgh team and
community responded by rallying around McNamara, especially
considering how the two schools are such bitter rivals. I thought
that the added aspect of how a rival group of people put their
differences (some would say hatred) aside to help one of the opponents'
own, was something that would have added a lot to the story. But
maybe you have to know a little about the rivalry to understand this.
And the show's focus on his family's reaction and so on was very nice
at any rate.
I did a SEARCH on the HOCKEY-L archives to get the past articles on
this story, and below I have included some for a flashback of sorts.
It is interesting to note how Plattsburgh wore McNamara's number on
their helmets the next week, held a mass at the school's chapel for
him, and so on - I remember Heather being very concerned at the time.
Back then, HOCKEY-L (hockey3 did not exist) posters did their part
in keeping us all updated on the case and wishing the best for Mike.
And as the show said, McNamara was back in uniform for Elmira's first
game the next season. It is truly a great story that he came back
from such a devastating injury.
On the other hand, for every Mike McNamara who seemingly makes a
miraculous recovery, there is a situation like the awful tragedy with
Mark Messing of Quincy (Mass.) HS, who suddenly suffered a heart
attack and died right after receiving a solid upper-body check in a
game last week. BU held a moment of silence before their game with BC
on Saturday in the memory of Messing. My thoughts were that no player
nor his (or her) family should ever have to go through that experience
again, but at the same time, somehow I know it's not the last. That's
why it is so important to have competent medical personnel on hand at
every game. (I don't recall whether this was the case last week.)
- mike
(flashback to 1992)
Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1992 09:07:55 EST
From: Mark Middagh <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Serious Injury
From Monday night's Elmira (NY) Star-Gazette:
"Elmira College hockey player Mike McNamara, who suffered a
serious head injury in Saturday's NCAA tournament game at
Plattsburgh, was upgraded to serious but stable condition Sunday.
McNamara, an Elmira College sophomore was hit head on at
center ice by Plattsburgh State defenseman Steve Ashe 5:28 into
the second period. He landed on his back and momentarily went
into convulsions. Team trainers and medical personnel on hand
rushed to the fallen player who became motionless.
A crowd of 3,500 which had initially cheered the hard check,
became silent as McNamara needed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on
the ice. He was carried off on a stretcher and taken directly to
the hospital.
A Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital spokeswoman said late
Saturday that McNamara was being looked at by Plattsburgh
neurosurgeon Soham Patel, who was not available for comment on
Sunday. The results of a CAT scan performed Saturday were
negative.
Elmira College trainer John Oliphant said head injuries are
rare in hockey.
"Merritt Spear, the Plattsburgh team physician said he had
never seen an injury like this and he has been involved with
hockey for more than 20 years," Oliphant said.
"The blow that did the damage was not the player hitting
Mike, but Mike's head hitting the ice," Oliphant said. "Mike did
not see the other player coming so he was not tensed up and when
he got hit, his feet went up and his head came down on the ice
very hard."
Mike McNamara is a sophomore from Potsdam, New York,
majoring in education.
----Excerpted from articles by Mark Houck and George Hawke
of the Star-Gazette.
Mark M.
Cornell U.
Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1992 08:37:00 EST
From: THAD MARSH <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: ELMIRA: McNamara condition
I thought I'd just like to upadate the network as to the condition
of Mike McNamara's injury sustained during Saturday's Quaterfinal NCAA
Div III game between Elmira and P-burgh State.
Today's Plattsburgh Press Republican reports that he remains in
serious condition, but unconcious, something I was previously un aware
of. According to Elmira Head Althletic Trainer McNamara suffered from
severe trauma to his head resulting in mild epidural hematoma. This
basically bleeding between the brain and skull. Doctors have decided not to
operate and think the swelling and bleeding has stopped.
This tragedy has had great affect on this community of some
30,000. Hundreds of people have responded by sending money, cards, and
a variety of other gestures. The community is doing all it can to help
the parents during their trying stay here. The Comfort Inn, a long time
supporter of Cardinal Hockey has offered free room and board to McNamara's
family and at CVPH, the local hospital a fund has been set up to offset the
cost of the injury.
The Press Republican writes:
"The people of Plattsburgh are truly loving and
caring people. ... We are deeply grateful to anyone
who has taken a seconed to think of Michael or maybe
say a prayer for him. It is our greatist wish and
hope that one day, Michael will be able to tell you
all of these things himself"
written statement from the
McNamara's
As we all sit here prayering for the Mike the team tries to focus
on this weekends games. It was evident that the falling of a brethern has hurt
the teams concentration. As coach said last night we will continue to
pray. And try to prepare.
I once again offer my prayers and hope all of you will join
us in prayering for Mike and his family.
Thad Marsh
"The everlasting Birdmaster"
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1992 14:18:00 EST
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Mike McNamara
To all:
Cautiously optimistic news. A nurse here in Plattsburgh reports that
Mike has regained consciousness, is laughing with his parents as they sit with
him reading the hundreds and hundreds of get well messages from the area's
school children. Doctors are now saying that they are hoping for 100% recovery.
There is a God!
Tim
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1992 14:36:04 EST
From: "Bob Gilreath" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Mike McNamara
Tim or anybody else out there:
How bout an address so the rest of us Hockey-l people can send along
our wishes also. Think he might enjoy hearing from across the country.
Bob
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1992 14:48:00 EST
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Address
Bob and anyone else interested:
You can probably get mail to Mike McNamara
c/o Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital
Beekman St.
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Yes, indeed, let's keep Mike laughing.
Tim
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1992 23:35:38 EST
From: Beth Weise <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Mike McNamara
Our local news (WNYT) just showed a video of the hit when McNamara was
injured. They replayed it a couple of times and from the angle we saw,
it looked like any other hard hit. You never know.
They also reported that he was awake now and the prognosis is good.
Finally, they said that Plattsburgh will be wearing his number 18 on
their helmets this weekend.
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1992 08:42:52 U
From: Tom Tseng <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Mike McNamara
RE>Mike McNamara
Beth Weise wrote:
>Our local news (WNYT) just showed a video of the hit when McNamara was
>injured. ... I believe this is the first time the injury has been mentioned
on >this station.
This morning, WENY (Ch 36, Elmira, Corning, Ithaca) reported that McNamara is
out of coma, still in intensive care, but out of critical condition. It seems
that Mike has improved quite a bit in his condition and by the relaxed tone of
the news anchor's voice, I take that to mean the worst has passed for Mike
McNamara. Let's hope he will recover quickly and come back healthy.
WENY also treated the report as a news item, at the end of the five-minute
local news slot at 7:25am during "Good Morning America."
Tom
Date: Sat, 21 Mar 1992 11:35:53 U
From: Tom Tseng <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Update on McNamara
Update on McNamara
Just thought some of you would still like to know this:
Last night, WENY (Ch 36, ABC) reported in its 6pm news that Elmira College
hockey player Mike McNamara has been moved out of intensive care unit, and is
doing fine.
That was good news for the first day of spring.
Tom
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1992 08:33:09 EST
From: Bill Fenwick <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Mike McNamara updat (fwd)
Here's a bit of good news on Mike McNamara, forwarded to the list from Brian
Farenell:
A co-worker of mine who happens to be the aunt of Mike McNamara, the Elmira
player who was injured seriously in the game with Plattsburgh St, told me that
Mike was doing well and that he would be returning home sometime this week.
I'll post any other info if I get any.
Date: Tue, 31 Mar 1992 21:58:00 EST
From: THAD MARSH <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Mike McNamara updat (fwd)
Mike was able to return home today with his parents to
repotably do some fishing with Dad !!!
GOOD LUCK to Mike and his family!
----(end)----
To see all of the messages on this topic, send the following search
command to [log in to unmask] (what's between the "+++"):
+++
// job echo=no
database search dd=rules
//rules dd *
search McNamara in hockey-l from 1 mar 92 to 31 apr 92
index
print all
/*
+++
--- ---
Mike Machnik [log in to unmask]
Cabletron Systems, Inc. *HMM* 11/13/93
|
