Vince O’Mara is in his 11th season as the Lindenwood women’s ice hockey head coach in 2013-14, including the program’s third as a NCAA program. O’Mara has led Lindenwood as it transitions from the club to the NCAA Division I level, and he also helped Lindenwood join College Hockey America (CHA).
The 2012-13 season was Lindenwood’s first as a member of the CHA and its first with a full NCAA Division I schedule. The Lady Lions won seven games and had three ties throughout the season. Lindenwood went 7-10-3 in conference play and came within two points of tying for third- place in the league. The Lady Lions defeated every team in the conference at least once except for nationally-ranked Mercyhurst.
O’Mara coached two all-conference players during the season as Nicole Hensley and Alison Wickenheiser were second-team all-CHA selections. Hensley was also named the CHA Rookie of the Year and was named to the national and the CHA all-rookie teams. Off the ice, nine women’s hockey players were named to the CHA All-Academic team.
In 2011-12, O’Mara led the Lady Lions through its first season against NCAA competition. Lindenwood had 15 newcomers on the roster, including 14 freshmen, and it faced a schedule that included just four home games and seven games against top-10 NCAA Division I programs, including two at No. 1 Wisconsin. Despite the obstacles, Lindenwood finished the season with eight victories, including a six-game winning streak to end the year. The team picked up its first official varsity win against the College of Saint Benedict and won its first NCAA Division I game over Sacred Heart.
For his first eight years at Lindenwood, O’Mara collected a record of 241-26-11 at the club level. He helped Lindenwood win four American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) National Championships and he earned two ACHA National Coach of the Year honors.
In 2011, Lindenwood finished the season with a record of 33-3-2. The Lady Lions won the CCWHA regular season and tournament championships. At the national championship event, Lindenwood went 4-1 and finished third. Five players earned All-American honors at the conclusion of the season.
Midway through the 2011 season, O’Mara was also an assistant coach for Team USA at the Winter World University Games in Turkey. The United States finished fourth at that competition with an all-star team made up of ACHA players.
In 2010, Lindenwood captured the program's fourth ACHA national title and third in a row. The Lady Lions amassed an overall record of 43-2-2. The 43 wins is the most in school history. To go along with the school record in overall wins, the Lady Lions finished the conference schedule with a perfect 12-0 record and a 17-0-1 mark at home. The postseason started off well for the Lady Lions winning the CCWHA Conference tournament and then dominating the National Tournament. Not only did the team have success, but Amanda Blanc was named an Academic All-American.
In 2009, the Lady Lions captured the third national championship in school history and compiled an overall record of 32-3-3. The Lady Lions also won the CCWHA championship with a 4-3 shootout win over Michigan State. In the ACHA National Championship game, the Lions defeated Robert Morris 2-1. In addition, the program placed six skaters on the ACHA All-American team.
In 2008, the Lady Lions won their second national championships. The Lady Lions had a record of 36-3. In the ACHA title game, the Lady Lions defeated a familiar foe, Robert Morris, 2-1. To go along with the ACHA national title, the Lions won the CCWHA title.
In 2007, the Lady Lions compiled a record of 27-6-1 but fell in the ACHA championship to Robert Morris 4-1.
In 2006, the program really put itself on the map with an outstanding year. The Lady Lions amassed a record of 29-3, won its first ACHA national championship, had the national player of the year, the national coach of the year, and three ACHA All-Americans. In the ACHA championship game, the Lady Lions won a thrilling 3-2 game in overtime against Robert Morris.
In the program's first two season from 2003-2005, the Lady Lions had a record of 41-6-3 and placed a skater on the ACHA All-American team in the program’s second year.
O’Mara is starting his 17th year coaching women’s hockey. Prior to joining the Lindenwood coaching staff, O'Mara was the head coach for the St. Louis Force select 16 and over women’s team. He had a combined record there of 135-25-12. He also has numerous years of playing and coaching men’s hockey. He has been involved in instructing and running many hockey camps and schools for both men and women.
O'Mara coached teams to four WCHL league championships, five Missouri State titles, four Central Regional championships, and four national championship appearances.
O’Mara has one daughter, Alyssa.
