Memorial’s new head coach won two state championships as assistant coach

Jeff Schemberger enters the 2024/25 season as the new head coach for the Eau Claire Memorial Old Abes. Jeff is the new head coach, but he is no stranger to the hockey program. Jeff’s involvement with the Old Abes has spanned the tenure of eight U.S. presidents!

Jeff was a player at Memorial when Ronald Reagan was president. Since then, his only time away from Memorial was playing college hockey for UW Eau Claire. A move that just required carrying his bag to a different locker room at Hobbs Ice Arena. Jeff is a Memorial lifer, and he has been part of the greatest teams and players in school history.

Jeff was on the coaching staff for Memorial’s 2008 and 2013 state championship teams. The 2008 state championship team went undefeated. Only four teams in WIAA history can boast that accomplishment.

During Jeff’s time at Memorial multiple players have gone on to play NCAA and professional hockey. Two Old Abes, Jake McCabe and Ty Emberson, are currently playing in the NHL.

This season starts a new chapter in the history of Eau Claire Memorial hockey.

Let’s hear from Jeff Schemberger!

Congratulations on being named Memorial’s head coach. Thank you.

What emotions did you feel after getting the job? I was super excited. Having graduated from Memorial and now teaching there it is an honor.

Has the coaching staff changed? No. I just switched spots with Mike Collins! Our coaching staff has been together for five years. Mike is doing a lot of work behind the scenes, and Guy Brown and Andrew McCabe are also with varsity. Hudson Collins and Ben Zacho are two former players, and they are doing JV.

Memorial has a strong tradition; do you plan to modify or change anything? The game has changed a lot since I started coaching. We are going to play hard, fast, and be disciplined. Players need to understand our system so they can play without overthinking. They need to know what to do with the puck before they get it.

What drew you into coaching? It is an opportunity to give back to the school and community. After I finished playing (for the UW Eau Claire Blugolds), I got a call from Mike Schwengler to be JV coach. I have been there (EC Memorial) ever since.

Who were your mentors? My high school coach Mark Froehle. Mike Schwengler was one of the top high school coaches in the history of Wisconsin high school hockey. PK O’Handley helped coach my bantam team, high school team, and college team. PK then went on to coach in USHL. I owe a lot to my wife Stephanie because she has always been supportive.

What is your coaching style or philosophy? It goes back to working hard and playing fast disciplined hockey. As I have gotten older, I try to get to know players better…as a person not just a player.

What does a successful season look like? Our expectations are to be competing at the top of our conference, section, and state. Our conference and section are tough, but we have the expectation to compete at the top.

Did anyone in your family play hockey? No

How did you get started playing hockey? My neighbors across the street were a hockey family. The kids were a little older, and several of the boys played. I started playing in the park down the street. I would go down to the park with them, and it was fun so that’s how I started.

Did you play any other sports? Yes. Football and baseball in high school. But hockey was my favorite.

Did you play hockey after graduating from Eau Claire Memorial? Yes, I played at UW Eau Claire for four years.

What are your favorite memories as a player? The dream of every high school player is to make State. My favorite memory is going to state in 1990 and scoring a goal against Superior. At that point in time only one team from Eau Claire Memorial had made it to the state tournament.

What advice do you have for kids that want to be a successful HS player? You are responsible for your own development. It’s up to you to put the time and effort and grow as a player and be successful.

We wish Jeff Schemberger and his Old Abes a great season!

Yours for hockey, Matt Carey

Old Abes, Eau Claire Memorial’s mascot, derives its name from a Civil War eagle named after Abraham Lincoln.