In Memoriam: Emily McNamara ’07
Middlebury women’s ice hockey coach Emily “Mac” McNamara ’07, who won three national championships as a Middlebury student athlete, died Sept. 11, 2026, following injuries she suffered in a March automobile accident.
“Our community deeply mourns Emily’s loss,” said President Ian Baucom. “She had a profound impact on our women’s hockey program and all our community—as a student, player, coach, mentor, and friend—and she exemplified the qualities we hope for in every student, coach, and colleague. Her husband, Dave, all her family, her colleagues, the students on the team, and everyone who knew her are in our thoughts and in our spirits. We ache for them and with them.”
After returning to Middlebury in 2023 following an enormously successful tenure as head coach at Hamilton College, McNamara was slated to become head coach following the retirement of Bill Mandigo, for whom she was a standout player during her years as a Middlebury student. Over the past years, the two worked closely together to coach the women’s hockey team. The College will honor her with a posthumous appointment as Middlebury’s fifth head coach of the women’s hockey team during Homecoming Weekend.
“I knew Mac for nearly 30 years,” said Mandigo. “During that time, I had the privilege of coaching her, coaching alongside her, and even coaching against her. Besides being one of the most competitive people I have ever known, she was fiercely loyal, deeply compassionate, and totally devoted to the people she loved. She loved her family, her players, and her teammates with her whole heart. This is a tremendous loss for the program: past, present, and future. Every player who has ever worn the ‘M’ has felt her impact, and every player who comes through this program will carry forward her legacy.”
McNamara was born July 12, 1984, grew up in North Hampton, New Hampshire, and was a three-sport varsity athlete—soccer, ice hockey, and lacrosse—at Phillips Exeter Academy, being voted captain and MVP of all three during her senior year. She graduated from Middlebury College in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in English and went on to earn her MA in coaching and administration from Concordia University, Irvine, in 2015.
As a Middlebury student, McNamara played for the women’s hockey team during an unprecedented era of success. Her team won three consecutive NCAA championships from 2004 to 2006 and two NESCAC championships from 2005 to 2006. She served as team captain and was voted team MVP by her teammates during her senior year in 2006–2007, winning the Captain John Owen Memorial Award, which is given to a player who exemplifies dedication and support of the Middlebury women’s ice hockey team. She was named 2007 All-NESCAC Academic selection, 2006 Second Team All-NESCAC, 2005 First Team All-NESCAC, and 2005 NCAA All-Tournament Team.
Following her graduation from Middlebury in 2007, she joined the women’s hockey coaching staff. In 2011, she left to coach the Mid-Fairfield Connecticut Stars and then was hired as head coach of the Hamilton College women’s ice hockey team, where she led a highly successful program from 2012 to 2023. In 2023, she led her team to a 22-win season, making it to the NCAA Final Four. Over the course of her Hamilton career, she was named both the American Hockey Coaches Association Division III National Coach of the Year and the U.S. College Hockey Online Division III National Coach of the Year. She was twice named the NESCAC Coach of the Year, in 2017 and 2023.
She rejoined the Middlebury women’s hockey coaching staff in the summer of 2023. During her overall coaching career at Middlebury, McNamara helped lead the team to three NESCAC championships and four NCAA semifinalist appearances. She coached nine All-Americans, a NESCAC Player of the Year, and two NESCAC Rookies of the Year.
“In my brief time working here, it has become clear to me that Emily’s greatest impact was on people,” noted Director of Athletics Todd Phelps. “Her loss is heartbreaking, and her legacy will forever be a part of Middlebury Athletics and Middlebury women’s hockey.”
Ellen Sargent ’07, a close friend and former teammate, described McNamara as “small but mighty as a player, and the ultimate competitor, with a toughness that made her seem much bigger than she was. Mac was the same person everywhere: on the ice, in the locker room, in a room full of friends, and on the bench as a coach. She made people feel included, she showed up fully, and she made the people around her better.”
The Middlebury women’s hockey team has dedicated its upcoming season to Coach McNamara, and will add a graphic stencil to the ice reading “4Mac.”
The family will host remembrance events for family and friends October 11–12. Visitation will be Sunday, October 11, 1–6 p.m., Remick & Gendron, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton, New Hampshire.
A memorial Mass will be held on Monday, October 12, at 11 a.m., at St. Theresa Church, 820 Central Road, Rye Beach, followed by a celebration of life reception at Wentworth by the Sea, 588 Wentworth Road, New Castle, New Hampshire.