HUNTINGTON -- Funeral services will be held Wednesday in Huntington for Dr. Jose Ricard, the longtime team doctor for Marshall University who fled Cuba after fighting against Fidel Castro.

Ricard's daughter, Rachel Smith, says he died Saturday from heart complications. He was 81.

Ricard served as the team's physician since 1981 and was named team doctor emeritus in recent years. He is credited with starting Marshall's sports medicine program.

"He loved the university, the community, his players and his patients," Smith said of her father. "Alan Meeks said that his heart didn't give out, he gave his heart away."

Smith is a Huntington radio personality for WDGG 93.7 FM, a country music station better known as The Dawg. She also is a sideline reporter for the ISP Thundering Herd Network.

"It was special for me to be able to share the Marshall experience with my dad," she said. "I truly believe he'll be forever watching the games from up high."

Before coming to the United States, Ricard worked as the Cuban Olympics team physician and the Cuban sports medicine director.

In 1963, he moved to Huntington, where he maintained a private practice as a family physician.

Ricard also helped to establish the Marshall University Medical Center and the MU Sports Medicine Hall of Fame.