2008-2009 Women's Division 1 Harrow Coach-of-the-Year

The 2009 American Collegiate Hockey Association [ACHA] Women's Division 1 Coach-of-the-Year Award, presented by Harrow Sports, goes to Vince O’Mara of Lindenwood University, as selected by the ACHA Women’s Division 1 Competition Committee.  This is the second ACHA Women's Division 1 Coach-of-the-Year Award for Vince, who also won the award in 2006.

 

Vince will be presented his ACHA Women's Division 1 Coach-of-the-Year Award at the American Hockey Coaches Association Coach-of-the-Year Celebration on Saturday, April 26, 2008, at The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club in Naples, FL.

 

Last summer, Head Coach Vince O’Mara was staring in the face of a rebuilding year, so everyone initially thought.  The Lions were fresh off their second national championship, but they were graduating 2/3 of their team’s goals, assists and points. 

 

With eight incoming freshmen he quickly dispelled the myths that this was going to be a rebuilding year.  He quickly labeled the year as a “reloading year”. He knew there would be some growing pains and it was going to be a completely different looking team but from the very beginning of the season he felt that this new-look team was something special.  The times of the high powered offense and outscoring opponents was replaced by team play and strong goaltending.

 

The Lady Lions started out the season 6-2-2 and matched last seasons total in losses by the 16th game of the year.  But the ladies stayed the course and won their last 18 games to capture their second consecutive CCWHA league championship and their third national championship and second consecutive.  They finished the season 32-3-3 and became the first team ever to win three titles and win back to back championships.

 

Coach O’Mara has been at the helm all six seasons for the Lady Lions and has a combined record of 165-21-7 record, an amazing .855 winning percentage.

 

Before joining Lindenwood, O’Mara was the head coach of the St. Louis Force Select 16 and over women’s team.  He had a combined record of 135-25-12 with the Force.  He led the team to four WCHL league championships, five Missouri state titles, four central region championships and four national championship appearances.

 

Away from the ice, O’Mara likes to fish, ride bikes and spend time with his wife, Jennifer and their daughter, Alyssa.

 

Past Winners of the ACHA Women’s Division 1 Coach-of-the-Year Award:

 

2008-2009	Vince O'Mara	Lindenwood University
2007-2008	Beth McCann	University of Rhode Island
2006-2007	Brenda Schute	St. Cloud State University
2005-2006	Vince O'Mara	Lindenwood University
2004-2005	Beth McCann	University of Rhode Island
2003-2004	Chris Uschan	University of Wisconsin
2002-2003	Craig Payment	Michigan State University
2001-2002	Jim Henry	University at Buffalo
2000-2001	Jay Coopersmith	St. Cloud State University