Well-Respected New Haven Register Sports Columnist Dies

Hamden CT

13 August, 2020

2:10 PM

Description

NEW HAVEN, CT — Longtime New Haven Register columnist and sports journalist Chip Malafronte died Wednesday after a battle with cancer. Malafronte was widely respected by the coaches and athletes he covered, as well as his sportswriting peers. Many recalled him as a talented writer who treated everyone with kindness and respect. Malafronte chronicled the 2013 NCAA men's hockey championship between Quinnipiac and Yale universities both in news articles and his book Hockey Haven: How Yale and Quinnipiac Made It to the Top of the College Game. He covered Yale and Quinnipiac hockey and also covered Yale football and lacrosse. He wrote a popular Sunday column for Hearst Connecticut Media called "Sunday Gravy." Malafronte's impact on the sports community in Connecticut can be found in the tributes that have poured in all across the state, including from several competing publications and colleagues. There will be tears in my Sunday Gravy. I got the heartbreaking but expected news tonight that Chip Malafronte passed. Chip was a great sports columnist for Hearst, a wonderful dad and a special person who cared about everyone. He will be missed dearly around Yale events.— Steve Conn (@YaleSID) August 13, 2020This is a crushing loss for all of us here at @nhregister, greater New Haven, Hearst CMG and CT sports media. Chip was a wonderful co-worker, writer and friend. He is gone too soon and will be sorely missed by all of us. Our deepest sympathies to his family and friends. https://t.co/tc5aqQ7gyv— Sean Patrick Bowley (@SPBowley) August 13, 2020 Like so many, I am heartbroken to hear about the passing of Chip Malafronte. Chip was as good as they come in sports journalism, but an even better person. My thoughts are with his loved ones. He will be truly missed.— Andy Dunn (@AndyDunn19) August 13, 2020 We are heartbroken to learn that Chip Malafronte has passed away. He was a gifted writer who truly loved what he did and he was one of the best people you'll ever meet. He will be missed by all of us at Quinnipiac and we send our condolences to his family.— Quinnipiac Men's Ice Hockey (@QU_MIH) August 13, 2020 Chip Malafronte did his job without bias, without fanfare and without ego. It is not easy to do that day in and day out in this business and maintain a calm exterior, but he managed to do it. You also won't find many nicer human beings than Chip Malafronte. RIP.— Joe Morelli (@nhrJoeMorelli) August 13, 2020 Saddened to learn Chip Malafronte, longtime New Haven Register/Hearst sports reporter, has passed. He covered college hockey during a fascinating time for the sport in our state, and so much else over the years. Heartsick for his family, co-workers and his many, many friends. pic.twitter.com/9E5hlET6bi— Mike Anthony (@ManthonyCourant) August 13, 2020 RIP, Chip Malafronte. A gifted writer, a well-respected and connected reporter, one of the best in our business. More importantly, a genuinely kind person. It was always a good day when you sat next to Chip in a press box. Just a heartbreaking loss.— Paul Doyle (@PaulDoyle1) August 13, 2020 We are saddened to learn of the passing of Chip Malafronte. Our deepest condolences to his family. He covered Yale and Quinnipiac and college hockey regularly and I always enjoyed our conversations and appreciated his knowledge of the game and professionalism. - Coach Cavanaugh— UConn Men's Hockey (@UConnMHOC) August 13, 2020 The journalism and sports scene in our area is less today after the death last night of @ChipMalafronte of the @nhregister. Chip loved hockey, covered @QUAthletics, wrote a book on QU-Yale and did both with professionalism and flair. Sunday gravy will never be the same. #RIPChip pic.twitter.com/IvW9jPnjML— QU Journalism (@QUJournalism) August 13, 2020