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University of New
Hampshire
Throughout his career at UNH, Foley has quietly gone
about donating his time to various projects while balancing
academic work, practice, games, and his duties as the
captain of the UNH hockey team.
During his senior season, Foley has worked to establish
Team 25, a fundraising foundation that will continue
at UNH after his graduation. In the spring, he will
begin organizing the foundation’s first annual
silent auction and dinner to raise approximately $10,000.
In addition, he works in partnership with New Horizons,
a Portsmouth Regional Hospital program that helps children
who are recovering from illness.
Last summer, Foley assisted and organized the street
hockey portion of the State of New Hampshire Special
Olympic Summer Games, while also helping with setup
of the other events in the games.
A native of Boston, Mass., Foley’s community service
began as soon as he arrived in Durham. As a freshman,
he became a mentor to the local youth in the Big Buddy
Program. His junior year, he volunteered with the Northeast
Passage Group, a nationally recognized program that
athletically challenges the physically handicapped.
At the same time, he volunteered as assistant coach
of the Oyster River High School hockey team.
This season, Foley participated in "Write Around
the Community" at Centre Middle School, where he
spoke to second graders about the emphasis of writing
skills in everyday life. He also contributed significantly
to the first National Student Summit on Riots, a conference
on sport-related rioting and responsible student celebrations
hosted by the University of New Hampshire.
In addition, Foley has spent time volunteering and donating
blood with the Megan DeColfmacker Memorial Blood Drive.
In association with the blood drive, he has made personal
appearances on behalf of the UNH hockey team, helped
voice radio public service announcements, and co-hosted
a live radio show before the drive. Furthermore, he
spends time with the local D.A.R.E. program and visits
Dover Middle School to educate children about the dangers
of drugs and alcohol.
His numerous contributions to the New Hampshire community
led Foley to receive the 2003 "Create Your Own
Story at UNH" Award, presented to 10 students at
the University for outstanding community involvement,
leadership, and character.
After undergoing reconstructive surgery on both knees
after his freshman year, Foley spent a year rehabilitating
and could be seen in the stands at every game. The following
year, he was voted an alternate captain and will leave
UNH as only the second three-time captain in the history
of the Wildcat hockey program.
"He was truly one of the best human beings with
whom I have ever worked and I have not coached a player
with better character," said New York Islanders’
assistant coach Jeff Jackson, who coached Foley in the
U.S. National Team Development Program in 1998-99. "Patrick
never turned down an opportunity to do something in
the community, or to work with those less fortunate
than him."
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