The University of Minnesota Duluth lost a valued member of the Bulldog community. Barbara Romano passed away on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. She loved watching all sports at UMD.
"She was a lifetime Bulldog. She held season tickets all the way up until her passing," said son Jeff Romano. "When Ralph was coaching, we used to have hockey players over at the house and she would get to know them not just as players but as people as well."
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"On behalf of all of Bulldog Athletics, I wish to express our deepest sympathies to the entire Romano family at the passing of Barb Romano. I was fortunate enough to get to know Barb well since my arrival at UMD in 2013. I was honored to have her, as well as the majority of the Romano family, assist in the dedication of Dave Goldberg Court at Romano Gymnasium in 2018," said UMD's Athletic Director
Josh Berlo. "Barb was an energetic, passionate and dedicated Bulldog. She was also a link to the legacy of Ralph Romano, the Romano family and all of their contributions to Bulldog Athletics, UMD and Duluth. Bulldog Country is stronger today because of Barb."
"It was very shocking to hear," said former UMD men's hockey coach Mike Sertich. "She was sort of the mother of UMD hockey. Her and her husband were instrumental in getting Bulldog hockey to division I. I knew her a long time, she was very loving and caring to everyone she met."
Romano graduated from UMD with a bachelor's degree in Art. She was the wife of Ralph Romano up until his passing. Ralph Romano was UMD's head hockey coach (1959-68) when the team moved into Division I, as well as head athletic director (1969-1983).
The Romano's have asked anyone looking to make a donation in Barb's name to please visit umdbulldogs.com/donate.Â
