Jeff D. Anderson 

Division I Head Coach 

Jeff Anderson returns to the bench for his second year as Head Coach of the Mountaineer hockey team. In his first season in that role, the Mountaineers compiled a record of 19 wins, 13 losses, and 4 overtime losses. They went undefeated in regular season play in their league, College Hockey Mid-America, and finished as league runner up in the league playoffs. Of the 36 games played last season, 15 of them—or 42%, were against teams that joined the Mountaineers in the elite 16 team American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) National Playoffs. All games were played against Division I teams, as it is the custom of Mountaineer Hockey not to schedule Division II teams. The Mountaineers ended the 2007-2008 season with a final ACHA national ranking of 14.

Jeff has been involved with Mountaineer Hockey as a player, member of the coaching staff, and webmaster during the past two decades. Jeff was a four year Mountaineer defenseman (1992-1996), which included West Virginia’s first appearance in the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Championship Playoffs during his senior year. In 1996, he received the team ICE (Intense Consistent Effort) Award. During 1997-1999 he returned to West Virginia University Hockey as Assistant Coach, and in that role helped the Mountaineers to their second trip to the ACHA National Championship Playoffs in 1999. Last year, as Head Coach, the Mountaineers made their fourth appearance in the national playoff tournament. Coach Anderson holds a level 4 (advanced) coaching certification from USA Hockey.

When the Mohawks, Morgantown’s first high school sanctioned hockey team was formed, the Morgantown Hockey Association selected Jeff as its head coach. During his two seasons as coach, the Mohawks compiled an impressive .744 record of 32-11-0, which included two trips to the West Virginia State High School Hockey Championship game. Prior to coaching the Mohawks, Coach Anderson was also a successful head coach with the Morgantown midget team, the Morgantown Blades, compiling a 47-34-0 record. As a head coach, Jeff has compiled an overall winning percentage of .632, with a record of 98 wins and 45 losses. He is anticipating his 100th head coaching win early in the 2008-2009 season.

Jeff has been playing hockey since he was six years old. He played in the Morgantown Hockey Association for 12 years and was a member of the Red Barons, Morgantown’s first high school age team. During his senior year he was team captain and was awarded Most Valuable Player at the Wheeling Holiday Tournament. Jeff was selected to the West Virginia high school all state team both his junior and senior years. He currently plays in the BOPARC competitive league.

Coach Anderson holds two degrees from West Virginia University: a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources, and a Master of Business Administration degree. He is employed with Literati Information Technology as a Computer Technician.

Scott Umble 

Division I Assistant Coach 

Scott Umble returns for his second year as Assistant Coach, with primary responsibility for the defensive corps. The introduction of new defensive schemes helped the Mountaineers enjoy a successful season. Prior to coaching at West Virginia, Scott coached the defense of the Morgantown Mohawks for two years, with a combined record of 32-11-0, including two appearances in the West Virginia High School Hockey Championship games. Prior to that, he coached the Blades of the Morgantown Hockey Association for three years. While in high school, he was a player for the Blades, winning two state championships.

In 2005, Scott completed USA Hockey Level 4 (advanced) certification. He currently is active as a player in the BOPARC competitive adult hockey league.

He is an elevator mechanic for the Schindler Elevator Company, and holds underground electrical certification.

Van F. Anderson 

Division I Assistant Coach / Goaltenders 

Dr. Van F. Anderson returns to the Mountaineer bench for his second season as Assistant Coach, with primary responsibility for the goaltenders. Last year, all three goaltenders on the roster started at least three games, and all had winning records. This included shutout wins by Rastislav Kret and Chris Wilder.

Van has been involved with hockey in Morgantown for over a quarter of a century. In the late 1970’s, he was Director of Parks and Recreation in Morgantown, and worked with others to secure funding for the construction of the current Morgantown Ice Arena, which was then administered by him during the initial years. Van was also involved with the WVU Hockey program in various capacities over the past few decades, including the publication of the newsletter, production of the annual program booklet, and as a member of the Board of Directors.

Van played goaltender in the days of the early “Jason” goalie mask, and as a result acquired twenty-three stitches to his face. His goaltending equipment makes him a curiosity (skating museum), among the players of today, with his deer-hair stuffed leather goal pads, and vintage goalie skates. The father of the Head Coach, he provides a grandfatherly presence to the Mountaineer bench as he enjoys working with college-age students. “Coach Gramps” previously taught park and recreation management at Marshall University.

Dr. Anderson was the goaltender coach for the Morgantown Mohawks for two years. That team finished as runner-up in the West Virginia state high school championships each season. Coach Anderson is a level 4 (advanced) coach with USA Hockey, and holds academic degrees at the bachelors, masters, and doctorate level from West Virginia University. Dr. Anderson is Executive Director of the Mylan Park Foundation. In that role he oversees Mylan Park, a 320 acre special event venue on the outskirts of Morgantown.