Longtime Vermont supporter ‘Mac’ passes away

The University of Vermont athletic department lost a dear friend on Monday when Frank McIntosh passed away.

“Mac,” as he was known, was associated with the Vermont men’s hockey program for 31 years.

A native of Burlington, Vt., McIntosh graduated from Burlington High School and attended UVM. His involvement with the Catamounts began in 1978 during Jim Cross’ coaching tenure and extended through Mike Gilligan’s 19 years and continued into current head coach Kevin Sneddon’s campaign.

“Mac devoted 31 years of his life to Vermont hockey,” said Sneddon in a statement. “Players and coaches, past and present, owe Mac a debt of gratitude beyond words. On a personal level, Mac was instrumental in helping me become acclimated to Vermont and helping me run a successful program. All of us brothers of the Gut will miss him dearly.”

“There has been no other person involved with UVM hockey during the past 30-plus years who has so selflessly devoted so much of his life for the support and enjoyment of our student-athletes,” added Gilligan. “Mac’s love for the program and the players was unconditional.”

In 2006, the AHCA honored McIntosh with the Jim Fullerton Award, which is named in honor of the former Brown University hockey coach. The award recognizes “an individual who loves the purity of our sport. Whether a coach, administrator, trainer, official, journalist or simply a fan, the recipient exemplifies Jim Fullerton, who gave as much as he received and never stopped caring about the direction in which our game was heading.”

The UVM hockey team also presents the annual Frank “Mac” McIntosh Most Improved Player award at the end of each season. The 2011 honor was given to Ben Albertson.

Services are incomplete at this time, but in lieu of flowers, donations in McIntosh’s name can be made to Turning Point Center of Chittenden County, 191 Bank Street, Suite 2, Burlington, VT 05401.