Former Cobber Named 1st-Ever UJ Head Coach
Article courtesy of the Jamestown Sun and reporter Michael Savaloja
JAMESTOWN--- Having practically grown up with skates on her feet and a hockey stick in hand, Jamestown's Amber Schaack never imagined a day like Wednesday would be possible.
The former North Dakota high school Miss Hockey has been hired to coach the first University of Jamestown women's hockey team, which will officially begin play in 2022-23.
UJ Athletic Director Sean Johnson formally announced the hiring of Schaack, along with the university's intent to add an American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I women's hockey program, in a press release issued to statewide media outlets.
The addition expands UJ's varsity club hockey programs to three, joining the Jimmies' ACHA D-I and ACHA D-II men's hockey teams coached by Dean Stork and Bryce Nybo, respectively.
"Growing up you think about where you can go with hockey and, unfortunately, women's hockey wasn't huge in North Dakota," Schaack said. "It's still hard for me to wrap my head around that it's happening, but it's real and it's here."
A four-time all-state forward and defenseman for Jamestown High School, Schaack went on to score 55 career points between 2014-17 for NCAA Division III Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and was stunned, like most everyone in the local women's hockey world, when the University of North Dakota cut its D-I women's hockey program in the spring of 2017.
But women's hockey is making new headway in the state through the ACHA. The University of Jamestown will mark the fourth women's ACHA program currently operating in North Dakota, joining programs at Minot State (D-I), North Dakota State (D-II), and Dakota College at Bottineau (D-II).
"We just had the Sioux to look up to, basically. Now there's Minot, you have Bottineau, NDSU has a club team, and now in Jamestown," Schaack said. "It's huge for the state and it's huge for Jamestown."
A 2013 graduate of Jamestown High School, Schaack received her undergraduate degree in exercise science from Concordia in 2017 and a master's degree in sports administration from Northern Colorado in 2018.
Schaack's coaching credits include leading the West Fargo Stampede 12UA girls hockey team to a North Dakota state championship last March in Mandan. Schaack also coached junior varsity girls hockey at Delano High School in Minnesota and most recently worked as a manager at Hoist Hockey in Fargo, a 3 on 3 hockey training and fitness facility.
"Amber is the perfect person to start our women's hockey program at the University of Jamestown," said UJ's Sean Johnson. "Her intelligence, work ethic, experience as a successful collegiate student-athlete, and professional work experience has set the stage for her success at UJ."
Schaack will begin assembling her staff and recruiting student-athletes during the upcoming 2021-22 academic year. The new head coach explained she'd like to see local flavor dot the first Jimmie women's hockey roster.
"Definitely looking to see what we have just in our back yard here in North Dakota," Schaack said. "I've watched quite a bit of high school hockey this year to catch up a little bit, and there's definitely girls that can play at that next level."
Schaack said she'll also be exploring connections throughout the Midwest for potential student-athletes who fit the Jimmie mold.
Other credits to Schaack's name include working for the PGA of America, where she helped recruit and coordinate 1,500 volunteers for championship events.
"Just get our name and the program out there, and bring in those competitive girls that want to play at the next level and see where we compete," Schaack said.
The ACHA sanctioned 27 D-I women's hockey teams and 58 D-II women's hockey teams in 2020-21.
Having excelled at both the high school and college games, Schaack understands what it takes to compete at a high level and what her recruits will be experiencing. Prior to being named honorable mention All-MIAC at Concordia, Schaack produced 132 goals and 43 assists for Jamestown High School, being voted first-team all-state as both a forward and defenseman before being named the state's 2013 senior player of the year.
"I think the big thing is I've been through the same situation that these girls are going to be going through," Schaack said. "Leaving home, starting college, and trying to figure out what the heck you want to do with the rest of your life, and at the same time playing hockey.
"I've been through that. So it's making sure that I'm keeping it fun for them, but also pushing them on the ice, in the classroom, and out in the community as well."
Schaack also possesses a valuable hometown resource in her former high school coach and father, Brad Schaack.
"If he's got free time, I'm sure he'll be at the rink with me quite a bit," Amber laughed. "Pretty much everything I've learned has come from that guy, so that'll be great."