Patrick Foley '04 and Brian Yandle '06
Catching Up with the 'Cats: Patrick Foley
7/27/2018 6:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey, Athletics Development
Patrick Foley discusses his career as a police officer and reflects on his time at UNH.
After 10 years of coaching hockey in stints with the National Development Program, at Harvard University and Northeastern University, Patrick Foley, a three-time captain of the UNH men's hockey team switched careers and became a Boston Police officer in 2015. We talked to the 2004 grad, father of four with his wife Kristin, and one of the best leaders in UNH history to kick off a new series: Catching Up with the 'Cats.
What's your best UNH athletics memory?
We went to two Frozen Fours. Going to the national championship game in 2003 was obviously a moment you never really forget. Unfortunately, we couldn't finish the deal. It's just a great year, looking back at the success we had in Hockey East and the NCAA Tournament and getting to the final game against Minnesota. It was just a special year. There were some really good players and a good team and great moments and since 1999, the last time we went to the finals, it was the next chapter. It was such an enthusiastic group with some real great support in the University and the community. I don't want to say we brought back 1999, but we definitely reignited the flame that 1999 brought to the program.
That was quite a championship game against Minnesota: 1-1 going into the third period.
It was a 5-1 final, but by no means did it feel like a 5-1 game. I think Thomas Vanek took his energy drink during the second intermission and came out in the third and took over. Some of the toughest memories were those hard-fought losses. We had some hard-fought wins, too. Wins in the Hockey East Tournament and a win in the league championship game.
What's your favorite memory from UNH away from athletics?
It's more a comment than a memory. I feel UNH is unique in the sense that unlike the Boston schools, where a lot of people from Boston end up going, we had guys from all over. We had guys from British Columbia, kids from the Midwest, Garrett Stafford was from California. Guys were from all over. That in itself was a challenge. You had to make a team out of us. We weren't friends when we got there. Looking back, with as strong a group as we had, we stay in touch now and when we do come back together it makes it that much more special. We remember where we left off when last we saw each other at a game or golf tournament or some other event. When we all came back for the weekend for coach Umile last year, that's what makes the place special.
Why'd you choose UNH?
Coach Umile was the deciding factor. Mike Souza referred to it at coach Umile's farewell event. I remember driving home after my first visit. I was so impressed with coach Umile. Not just his hockey knowledge: You felt a little stronger and a littler braver when you were around coach Umile. You knew you could go in and win under a guy like that and you were not only going to win but he was going to take care of you. I think that's lost in recruiting a little now. I think some kids are more geared toward, 'What can you do for me now? What scouts can you put me in contact with? What contacts do you have in the NHL? I wanted to be around blue-collar people like myself and a coach that was going to take care of his people and Coach epitomized that.
What's the best part of being a UNH hockey player?
It's the support in the community at UNH and in New Hampshire we always had. I was so proud to come down to Boston for the Hockey East finals and play Boston teams and we'd have more people from UNH and New Hampshire in the stands than they did. It showed how much the state of New Hampshire was behind us. My wife gets a kick out of it that I still have people who followed UNH hockey send things to the house. We get ornaments for the kids to put on the Christmas tree. Through the years I've had blankets and sweaters for the kids sent to me. It's a reminder of the whole culture of people behind us and that runs deep in the locker room, knowing those people are behind you on the ice.
You coached for 10 years and then changed course in your career into police work. Why the switch?
I've always liked to be involved with something bigger than myself and I always wanted to be a police officer. I also wanted to coach and coming out of playing the opportunity to coach presented itself right out of the gate and it was the right opportunity at the right time. I had an eye on police work while I was coaching at Northeastern and decided to take a chance on it later than most people do.
How has it been?
I come to work every day and love what I do. You're focused on police work every time you come in and it's fun and rewarding. To be honest, when you're coaching there's something about it that's not the same as playing. I loved what I was doing but I feel more like when I was playing now in my profession than I did when I was coaching. You have to be prepared, you have to be mentally into it every day. You can't take time off. There's a whole host of things that bring you back to your playing days. There's a new challenge every day.
What spurred your initial interest in being a police officer?
My father's a lieutenant. My older brother, Brendan, is a special agent with the Secret Service on President Trump's detail. My grandfather was a patrolman in Boston. My father's twin brother is a state trooper. It's definitely been in my family.
What do you like best about being a police officer?
I'm assigned to area B-2 in Roxbury, the busiest spot in New England. You learn something every single day. You see something every night you've never seen before. Some things make it a challenge, but the experience level is different here. Two years here is the equivalent of 20 years in other places in some ways.
What's the most satisfying part of being a member of the police force?
I think everyone here would tell you the most satisfying thing about being a police officer is the teamwork we have within the department. We patrol a dangerous part of the city. When people say it's the most dangerous, we say as police officers we're the most protected. When we go to one call, we get half a shift there to back us up. I know people have my back and will be there for me in my time of need. Our job is to go home every night and we know we have the troops behind us to make that a reality. That gives you confidence, knowing things are in place to help the public, help people in need. There are a lot of good people in these neighborhoods. Some people don't have a lot and it means that much more to them when we can come to their aid and help protect people who are not able to defend themselves.
Season tickets are on sale now for the 2018-19 UNH men's hockey season. Season ticket members receive the best possible savings on tickets but also much more, including in-arena discounts, access to exclusive parking and invitations to special events with the team. Mini plans including the "6 OR 3" package as well as "The Holiday Hat Trick" will also be available. Season tickets can be purchased by calling the Whittemore Center Box Office at (603) 862-4000 or by visiting the men's hockey ticketing page.
Allen Lessels
@UNHInsider
Allen.Lessels@unh.edu
What's your best UNH athletics memory?
We went to two Frozen Fours. Going to the national championship game in 2003 was obviously a moment you never really forget. Unfortunately, we couldn't finish the deal. It's just a great year, looking back at the success we had in Hockey East and the NCAA Tournament and getting to the final game against Minnesota. It was just a special year. There were some really good players and a good team and great moments and since 1999, the last time we went to the finals, it was the next chapter. It was such an enthusiastic group with some real great support in the University and the community. I don't want to say we brought back 1999, but we definitely reignited the flame that 1999 brought to the program.
That was quite a championship game against Minnesota: 1-1 going into the third period.
It was a 5-1 final, but by no means did it feel like a 5-1 game. I think Thomas Vanek took his energy drink during the second intermission and came out in the third and took over. Some of the toughest memories were those hard-fought losses. We had some hard-fought wins, too. Wins in the Hockey East Tournament and a win in the league championship game.
What's your favorite memory from UNH away from athletics?
It's more a comment than a memory. I feel UNH is unique in the sense that unlike the Boston schools, where a lot of people from Boston end up going, we had guys from all over. We had guys from British Columbia, kids from the Midwest, Garrett Stafford was from California. Guys were from all over. That in itself was a challenge. You had to make a team out of us. We weren't friends when we got there. Looking back, with as strong a group as we had, we stay in touch now and when we do come back together it makes it that much more special. We remember where we left off when last we saw each other at a game or golf tournament or some other event. When we all came back for the weekend for coach Umile last year, that's what makes the place special.
Why'd you choose UNH?
Coach Umile was the deciding factor. Mike Souza referred to it at coach Umile's farewell event. I remember driving home after my first visit. I was so impressed with coach Umile. Not just his hockey knowledge: You felt a little stronger and a littler braver when you were around coach Umile. You knew you could go in and win under a guy like that and you were not only going to win but he was going to take care of you. I think that's lost in recruiting a little now. I think some kids are more geared toward, 'What can you do for me now? What scouts can you put me in contact with? What contacts do you have in the NHL? I wanted to be around blue-collar people like myself and a coach that was going to take care of his people and Coach epitomized that.
What's the best part of being a UNH hockey player?
It's the support in the community at UNH and in New Hampshire we always had. I was so proud to come down to Boston for the Hockey East finals and play Boston teams and we'd have more people from UNH and New Hampshire in the stands than they did. It showed how much the state of New Hampshire was behind us. My wife gets a kick out of it that I still have people who followed UNH hockey send things to the house. We get ornaments for the kids to put on the Christmas tree. Through the years I've had blankets and sweaters for the kids sent to me. It's a reminder of the whole culture of people behind us and that runs deep in the locker room, knowing those people are behind you on the ice.
You coached for 10 years and then changed course in your career into police work. Why the switch?
I've always liked to be involved with something bigger than myself and I always wanted to be a police officer. I also wanted to coach and coming out of playing the opportunity to coach presented itself right out of the gate and it was the right opportunity at the right time. I had an eye on police work while I was coaching at Northeastern and decided to take a chance on it later than most people do.
How has it been?
I come to work every day and love what I do. You're focused on police work every time you come in and it's fun and rewarding. To be honest, when you're coaching there's something about it that's not the same as playing. I loved what I was doing but I feel more like when I was playing now in my profession than I did when I was coaching. You have to be prepared, you have to be mentally into it every day. You can't take time off. There's a whole host of things that bring you back to your playing days. There's a new challenge every day.
What spurred your initial interest in being a police officer?
My father's a lieutenant. My older brother, Brendan, is a special agent with the Secret Service on President Trump's detail. My grandfather was a patrolman in Boston. My father's twin brother is a state trooper. It's definitely been in my family.
What do you like best about being a police officer?
I'm assigned to area B-2 in Roxbury, the busiest spot in New England. You learn something every single day. You see something every night you've never seen before. Some things make it a challenge, but the experience level is different here. Two years here is the equivalent of 20 years in other places in some ways.
What's the most satisfying part of being a member of the police force?
I think everyone here would tell you the most satisfying thing about being a police officer is the teamwork we have within the department. We patrol a dangerous part of the city. When people say it's the most dangerous, we say as police officers we're the most protected. When we go to one call, we get half a shift there to back us up. I know people have my back and will be there for me in my time of need. Our job is to go home every night and we know we have the troops behind us to make that a reality. That gives you confidence, knowing things are in place to help the public, help people in need. There are a lot of good people in these neighborhoods. Some people don't have a lot and it means that much more to them when we can come to their aid and help protect people who are not able to defend themselves.
Season tickets are on sale now for the 2018-19 UNH men's hockey season. Season ticket members receive the best possible savings on tickets but also much more, including in-arena discounts, access to exclusive parking and invitations to special events with the team. Mini plans including the "6 OR 3" package as well as "The Holiday Hat Trick" will also be available. Season tickets can be purchased by calling the Whittemore Center Box Office at (603) 862-4000 or by visiting the men's hockey ticketing page.
Allen Lessels
@UNHInsider
Allen.Lessels@unh.edu
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