Auburn College of Education graduate student Jack Rosenhammer named Women's College Hockey South Coach of the Year

Leadership is something Jack Rosenhammer not only studies in the classroom. He practices it every day — many times while on ice.

A graduate student in Auburn University’s College of Education, Rosenhammer explores how leaders learn, grow and motivate others. And as the head coach of Auburn University’s women’s hockey team, he brings those lessons to life — an education-centered approach that recently earned him the Women’s College Hockey South Coach of the Year award.

“Honestly, it is incredibly humbling. When you are in the middle of a season you are so focused on the day to day that you do not really stop to reflect on the bigger picture. To be recognized by the conference in this way means a great deal, but I have to be clear that this award belongs to a lot of people, not just me,” Rosenhammer said.

The conference honor recognizes excellence in leadership, program-building, and competitive success and reflects a season in which Rosenhammer’s ability to translate theory into practice helped propel Auburn Women’s Hockey to new heights. For Rosenhammer, the award comes at the close of a busy year defined by big commitments, intentional balance and sustained purpose.

“This was an especially challenging year for me personally,” he said. “Between my full-time job, running my small businesses, all of the other hockey coaching I am involved in and my studies, there were moments where I was running on pure passion and a lot of coffee. Balancing all of those commitments while trying to show up fully for this team was not easy, so to be recognized at the end of it means more than I can really put into words.”

That balancing act — between academics, work and coaching — has helped shape Rosenhammer’s leadership identity. His studies in the College of Education influence how he approaches communication, accountability and growth, allowing him to build a program culture grounded in learning and long-term development.

Rosenhammer is quick to note that the Coach of the Year recognition reflects a shared achievement across the program.

“My assistant coaches — Zach Small, Tianna Schneider, Brodie Thornton and Dominique Waller — have been absolutely invaluable this season,” he said. “Their dedication, knowledge, and passion for this program pushed me to be better every single day, and I could not do this without them. And of course, none of this happens without our players. They show up, they work hard, and they buy into what we are building. That is what makes coaching so rewarding.”

Growing momentum

On the ice, Auburn Women’s Hockey continued to build momentum throughout the season, drawing increased engagement from the Auburn community while establishing itself as a program on the rise.

“Things have been going really well, and I feel like we are hitting our stride as a program,” Rosenhammer said. “One of the highlights of our recent stretch was a series of games against West Point that drew some incredible support from the Auburn Family. It was wonderful to have Mrs. Roberts (Auburn’s First Lady) and several other Auburn VIPs in attendance to cheer our girls on.

“Moments like that remind you that what we are doing here is bigger than just hockey. We have a group of incredibly talented and dedicated young women on this roster, and watching them compete at a high level while representing Auburn with class and pride has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.”

The program’s accelerated growth has prompted intentional evaluation of its long-term structure, changes aimed at sustaining competitive success as expectations continue to rise.

“The growth of this program has honestly been faster than any of us anticipated, and that rapid growth has caused us to take a hard look at our internal structure to make sure we are positioned to compete at the highest level possible going forward,” Rosenhammer explained.

As part of that strategic shift, Rosenhammer will transition into a General Manager role, focusing on long-term planning, recruiting, fundraising and building relationships with stakeholders and benefactors. Assistant coach Zach Small will assume the role of Head Coach, providing continuity and on-ice leadership.

“It is the right structure at the right time, and I could not be more excited about where we are headed,” Rosenhammer said.

 

Building for the Future

Beyond the immediate success of the program, Rosenhammer remains focused on initiatives designed to create lasting impact, both for Auburn Women’s Hockey and the surrounding community.

“The initiative I am most passionate about right now is our mission to build a rink in the Auburn area. This is something I think about every single day,” he said. “A rink in this area would be transformational. It would give our program a true home, create a pathway for youth hockey development in the region, bring jobs and economic activity to the community and help grow the game of hockey here in the South in a way that has never been done before. We are working hard to make that vision a reality, and I truly believe it is a when, not an if.”

Rosenhammer credits Auburn’s College of Education with providing perspective and support throughout a season defined by competing responsibilities.

“My time in the College of Education has honestly been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey, even if I will be the first to admit that I may not have been the most attentive student this year,” Rosenhammer said. “Balancing coaching, work and academics is a real challenge, but it has also taught me a lot about discipline, prioritization and leading by example.”

He also expressed gratitude for the mentorship and guidance of faculty and advisors, noting how their influence extends beyond the classroom and into his approach to coaching. Rosenhammer expects to graduate in 2028 or 2029 and takes pride in achieving that milestone as a member of the Auburn Family.

“I have been incredibly fortunate to have a tremendous support system on the academic side,” he said. “My advisor, Dr. Paris Strom, has been a wonderful guide throughout this process, and I am so grateful for his mentorship and his grace this year. I also want to give a sincere thank you to my professors Dr. Jill Salisbury-Glennon, Dr. Hannah Baggett and Dr. David Marshall. Each of them has challenged me to think differently and grow not just as a student but as a leader, which has directly shaped the way I approach building this program.”

With a Coach of the Year honor, a program gaining national momentum and a leadership philosophy rooted in education, Rosenhammer’s story illustrates the powerful connection between learning and leadership — on the ice, in the classroom and far beyond.