![Dana Romaker, new head girls hockey coach, smiling in plaid shirt]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1594927148/springlakeparkschoolsorg/vrbyi5oto6rhl6opwnln/NewGirlsHockeyCoach.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1594927148/springlakeparkschoolsorg/vrbyi5oto6rhl6opwnln/NewGirlsHockeyCoach.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1594927148/springlakeparkschoolsorg/vrbyi5oto6rhl6opwnln/NewGirlsHockeyCoach.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1594927148/springlakeparkschoolsorg/vrbyi5oto6rhl6opwnln/NewGirlsHockeyCoach.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1594927148/springlakeparkschoolsorg/vrbyi5oto6rhl6opwnln/NewGirlsHockeyCoach.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1594927148/springlakeparkschoolsorg/vrbyi5oto6rhl6opwnln/NewGirlsHockeyCoach.jpg","width":1800}])
Spring Lake Park High School and Anoka High School are excited to welcome Dana Romaker as their new head girls’ hockey coach.
“Coach Romaker brings a wealth of coaching experience with her, but more important, her coaching philosophy is a perfect match for our Panther community,” says Will Wackman, Spring Lake Park High School Director of Athletics and Activities. “She believes that the values learned from participating in athletics allow student-athletes to grow as people. Her past colleagues mention that one of her greatest strengths is building relationships and say not only is she an unbelievable teacher and coach, but she is an even better person.”
Romaker grew up in Chelsea, Michigan where she began her career on ice as a figure skater before switching to play hockey at age nine. She then earned a scholarship to play Division I hockey at the University of Findlay in Ohio.
Coach Romaker has previously coached travel teams from U10 through Bantams, St. John's Jesuit boys’ high school, as well as Bowling Green State University Women's Club Team. She has a Level 5 USA Hockey Coaching certificate and has a Level One Hockey Skating Certificate.
“I can't tell you how excited I am to coach a team of experienced players with all the great opportunities Spring Lake Park/Anoka has to offer,” says Romaker. “I have heard great things about these players, coaches and families and being able to work with these young women academically and athletically was just something I could not pass up.”
In addition to coaching hockey, Romaker will teach math at Spring Lake Park High School this year. She recently completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership and is moving to Minnesota from Ohio with her five children, husband and numerous pets. In her free time, she is a co-owner of Mindo Chocolate Makers and spends many of her summers in Ecuador working with cocoa farmers.
“Coach Romaker brings experience, success and knowledge both on the ice and in the classroom,” says Lance Wicks, Anoka High School Director of Athletics and Activities. “She will be an incredible asset to both communities as an educator and a coach.”