Norwich University hockey star dies
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Michael Serba |
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Staff, wire report - Published: November 29, 2006
TORONTO — A former Norwich University hockey star who ended up on life support following a brutal attack in Toronto over the weekend died from his injuries Tuesday.
Michael Serba, 25, was allegedly struck in the head with an unknown object, possibly a brick, while out with friends early Saturday. Police said Serba was sucker-punched after leaving a bar. Rather than call 911, Serba and his friends left a bar in search of the culprit and Serba encountered his attacker in an alley.
Nicholas Crowdis, 22, has been charged with attempted murder, but the charge is expected to be upgraded at his next court appearance, which is set for Monday.
Serba, who received his undergraduate degree in 2006 and was captain of the 2005-06 hockey team, continued to live in Northfield with members of the hockey team and was taking graduate courses and working at the university. The native of Etobicoke, in suburban Toronto, had gone home for the Thanksgiving weekend.
"The thoughts and prayers of the entire Norwich community go out to the Serba family," Norwich spokesman Scott Miller said Tuesday. "Mike was an outstanding young man and leader, with a great future before him. He will be greatly missed."
Norwich University officials have been closely monitoring Serba's medical condition since the news of the attack spread on Saturday while Norwich was playing a hockey tournament. The team decided to play in his honor and because of Serba's passion for the game.
Norwich officials asked for a moment of silence before both the men's and women's basketball games played Tuesday evening in honor of Serba. Over the weekend at the PrimeLink Great Northeastern Shootout, Serba's old number 20 jersey was hung on the bench.
The Toronto star reported Tuesday that some teammates went to visit Serba in St. Michael's hospital. It quoted fellow player Mike Schmidt as saying, "I've never seen anybody in such a condition – besides all the tubes coming out of him, he's still in tremendously great shape. He was well-liked by everyone. He was such a character and people person."
Toronto police said Tuesday that an autopsy is scheduled to take place today.
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