Marshall University Athletics
Remembering Dr. Jose Ricard
7/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | General
July 6, 2008
Huntington, W.Va. - The Marshall University Athletics family is mourning the loss of long-time team doctor and Thundering Herd supporter Dr. Jose Ricard who passed away Saturday morning. Ricard dedicated his life to helping others and his years of service to Marshall University and the Tri-State region are unmatched.
"He ranks right up there with some of the finest coaches we have ever had at Marshall University," Director of Athletics Bob Marcum said. "He was more than a doctor. He was a friend."
He served as the team physician for Thundering Herd athletics since 1981 and in recent years was named Team Doctor Emeritus. He was a native of Cuba who fled communism and came to the state of West Virginia in 1963. A graduate of Havana University for both his undergraduate and degree in medicine (1960), Ricard fought in the war against Fidel Castro as a lieutenant in the Medical Corps from 1950-59.
Ricard worked as the Cuban Olympic Team Physician and was the Cuban Sports Medicine Director before escaping to the United States. He was a member of the Cuban Medical Association, in exile. Ricard worked at the Saint Joseph Infirmary Hospital in Atlanta, Ga., before coming to Huntington where he maintained his private practice as a family physician.
With Marshall University, Ricard held many positions in the Sports Medicine program and his impact will be felt for years to come. He was an Associate Professor in the Family Medicine Department in the MU School of Medicine, he was the director of the MU Athletic Department Sports Medicine program and Co-Chairman of the MU School of Medicine Family Practice Sports Medicine Department. He was also one of the driving forces that led to the establishment of a medical school at Marshall University and the MU Sports Medicine Hall of Fame. He and his wife Amy present a scholarship annually to the outstanding student-trainer at Marshall.
Ricard has been honored many times for his contributions to Thundering Herd Athletics over the years. He is a member of the school's Athletic Hall of Fame -- one of two sports medicine inductees to be in that hall and the only doctor --- and the MU Sports Medicine Hall of Fame. He was the recipient of a Lifetime Member Recognition Award from the Big Green Scholarship Foundation and he became an honorary alumnus of Marshall University in 1986. In addition, he was also honored as the "Doctor of the Year" for the West Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
"He was a giant among men and he dedicated his life to helping others. His contributions to Marshall and the Tri-State area will continue to make a positive impact for years to come," Marshall Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations Randy Burnside said.
Ricard was an active member of the Marshall Quarterback Club, the Victory Club (for men's basketball), Women's Basketball Locker Room Club, Tennis Booster Club and Soccer Booster Club. He was the proud father of two daughters, Raquel and Jacqueline, and was one of nine children himself.
Dr. Ricard's funeral will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Huntington.
Ricard's passing came on the same day that former Thundering Herd football player Donte Newsome, 25, had his life cut short following a tragic shooting and just weeks following the loss of Marshall football All-American Johnathan Goddard, 27, who passed away from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.
"Our thoughts and our prayers are with the Ricard and Newsome families," Burnside said.
