Sports

Community rallies around UGA hockey coach hospitalized after hitting head on ice

Hockey community is rallying behind a UGA club hockey assistant coach in the hospital.

ATHENS, Ga. — The hockey community is rallying behind a University of Georgia club hockey assistant coach and equipment manager who was involved in an accident.

Steve “Benny” Beneke suffered a serious head injury when his head hit the ice while refereeing a game Thursday, according to the team. Beneke was hit in the chin and fell backward as he tried to break up a fight during the game.

Beneke hit his head hard on the ice and collapsed as he tried to get off the ice. An ambulance took Beneke to Gwinnett Medical Center, where he was placed in the intensive care unit.

The hockey community around metro Atlanta started a GoFundMe page to support Beneke and his family with his medical expenses. The donations so far have almost passed $54,000

“For those that don’t know Benny, he is one of the most selfless people and would give his shirt off his back to anyone that needed it,” the team posted on its Facebook page. “He has been with the organization since almost the beginning and would do anything for it or anyone on the team!”

An update posted Monday on the GoFundMe page said Beneke has been moved out of the ICU but remains in the hospital.