From player to coach

FROM PLAYER

The year was 2009. The Panthers’ skates hit the ice for the Davenport Hockey homecoming game against rival Grand Valley State University. The fi rst period was scoreless on both sides. It was the second period where the Panthers shone. Within the fi rst 60 seconds, Davenport saw its fi rst goal. Only 90 seconds later, the puck again hit the back of the net. The assist, provided by Jeremey Barber, set the tone for the remainder of the night. Jeremy and the rest of his defensemen only let seven shots on goal in the second period and ultimately defeated the GVSU Lakers in a 3-0 shutout, taking the homecoming victory! “They want to be plugged in. They want to know what they are doing, why they are doing it, and how they can do it better. It’s a positive thing. These kids are more in tune with who they are and what they want for their future.”

Jeremy Barber

TO COACH

Jeremy Barber ’10 always had his sights set on playing Division I hockey growing up. He was drafted into the North American Hockey League early in his life and played AAA and Junior hockey before being recruited to play at Robert Morris University as a Division I player. Injuries prevented him from playing as much as he wanted but left him with eligibility years. He began the search for a school where he could get his Master of Business Administration. The search was over when he found out Davenport off ered the MBA program and a specialization in fi nance, which is where his passion was.

As fate would have it, Barber recognized a name on the Davenport hockey roster– someone he'd known since they were both toddlers. With the encouragement of that childhood friend, along with hockey coach, Paul Lowden, he started his MBA and Panther hockey career at Davenport. During his time here, his team took home two national championships, the last of which occurred when Barber served as Captain.

The memories that resonate most as he looks back on his time as a player is the “solid locker room,” he says. He further explains that each of his teammates felt the camaraderie, high energy, and love of the game throughout the locker room. He attests that his time at Davenport is why he fell back in love with hockey after injuries dampened his spirits.

An alumni hockey success story

He is taking that same mentality into his Division I coaching position and working to build the same “solid locker room” mentality with the next generation of Panthers. Barber says the most signifi cant shift he’s seen from then to now is their desire for feedback.

Barber shared, “They want to be plugged in. They want to know what they are doing, why they are doing it, and how they can do it better. It’s a positive thing. These kids are more in tune with who they are and what they want for their future.”

He noted that he currently has four players that, in addition to going to school and playing hockey, have also started businesses. While talking about his current players, Barber quickly noted that, ultimately, his goal is to send these players off into the world with their best foot forward. And as for his assistant coach? Jeremy says, “We need more Boltamas in the world. He is the right person to develop these students into successful adults.”

At the heart of Barber’s passion is the culture that his staff is creating to cultivate happy and successful student-athletes ready to enter their career fi elds after graduation.

He says Davenport gave him a great head start postgraduation due to his fi nance specialization, which allowed him to immediately start working for a hedge fund in Traverse City, Mich. He later transitioned to portfolio management at Fifth Third Bank and is currently at JP Morgan. He says as a portfolio manager, he fi nds joy in helping families, foundations, and endowments manage their money.

In addition to coaching and working at JP Morgan, Barber is pursuing his Ph.D. and, with his wife, opening a franchise called Stretch Lab, in three West Michigan locations, including Gaslight Village. With all the things Barber does, he does them with passion and a “solid locker room” full of support.

Davenport Dialogues Webinar Series

A webinar series built to off er helpful hints and ideas for your career and life

Battling to Build a Business

Andrew Weiss ’15 | Founder & CEO, Battle Brothers Shaving Co. Join “vetrepreneur” Andrew Weiss ’15 for a behind the scenes look at building Battle Brothers Shaving Co. a company for warriors, by warriors. Learn how to grow a small business while still balancing a full time job and family. | Nov. 16

The Business of Beer

Justin Buiter ’05 | Co-founder, Railtown Brewing Company Join host Justin Buiter ’05 for an inside look at the business of beer through one of West Michigan’s up and coming breweries. | Dec. 14

How to Use Social Media & Marketing Tactics to Support Your Passion or Side Hustle

Mandy Robbins ‘12 | Marketing Communications Manager, LorAnn Oils & Founder, Berner Boards Join host Mandy Robbins ‘12 founder of Berner Boards, creator of custom charcuterie and barkuterie boards, on how she leverages social media to support her passion for charcuterie and canines. | Jan. 18

The Student Debt Relief Plan and the American Rescue Plan — How they Impact your Taxes

Scott Gumieny CPA | Finance & Accounting Instructor, Davenport University Scott will explore the details of the American Rescue Plan and the newly released Student Debt Relief Plan along with their overall tax implications. | Feb. 15