Aug. 2, 2007

CINCINNATI, OH - After 45 years as Xavier's head men's tennis coach and 34 years as the Musketeers' head women's tennis coach, Jim Brockhoff has announced his retirement effective August 15, 2007. Brockhoff, who graduated from XU in 1956, steps aside from coaching as one of only three mentors in NCAA Division I history to reach the 1,000-win plateau.

"Someone once said, `All good things must come to an end.' My good thing professionally was coaching Xavier in men's and women's tennis," said Brockhoff. "You are indeed fortunate if you find work you enjoy doing every day. Such was my case."

Brockhoff will still be closely involved with Xavier and the tennis programs as he will assume the roll of fundraising chair for XU tennis. Brockhoff has garnered plenty of experience in fundraising over the years, most notably through the Total Asset Planning (TAP)/Xavier Pro-Am Tennis Tournament, which has raised over $330,000 for the tennis programs since its inception 13 years ago.

Brockhoff has also helped raise $200,000 in scholarship funds and over $250,000 in funds in the years prior to the TAP event.

"Many thanks to all the former players, parents, alumni and friends who supported all our fundraising events, especially Tom Albers, sponsor of our very successful TAP/Xavier Pro-Am, Bill Zilliox and longtime friend of Xavier Tennis, the late Bill Reilly, for a lifetime of support prior to the TAP event. I would also like to thank Marty Wolf, Mike Dunn and Mark Gazdik for all their expertise in these areas," said Brockhoff.

Replacing Brockhoff as head men's and women's tennis coach will be Eric Toth. Toth completed his 10th season as assistant men's and women's tennis coach at XU in 2007 and has been taking on an increased level of responsibility with both teams each year, including heading up the recruiting and scheduling efforts over the last couple of seasons.

"Eric is an outstanding person and coach. He is excellent in all facets of coaching. Both teams are well positioned to claim the A-10 Title. I'm very excited for Eric and the teams."

Brockhoff, whose final record stands at 1,006-576 (.636), has been inducted into the Xavier Athletic Hall of Fame, the Greater Cincinnati Tennis Association Hall of Fame, the Hamilton County Sports Hall of Fame, the Purcell Marian High School Hall of Fame and Summit Country Day. In 2004, Brockhoff and his wife, Mary, were honored by a group of former players with the establishment of the Jim and Mary Brockhoff Tennis Scholarship at Xavier.

The winning began for Brockhoff during his playing days at Xavier. A three-year letterman in both tennis and football, he set the XU all-time record for highest winning percentage, a mark of 92 percent (46-4) over 50 matches. His success has continued through this decade as he led the women's team to a program best 21 wins in 2004 and the men's team to its first appearance in the Atlantic 10 Championship Match in 2007.

Brockhoff took two men's players to the 1971 NCAA Championships in singles and doubles and led the women's team to four appearances in conference championship matches, twice in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference (1992, 1994) and twice as a member of the Atlantic 10 (2002, 2004). Brockhoff was honored as the MCC Coach of the Year in both 1991 and 1994.

In addition to the berth in the 2007 A-10 Championship Match, Brockhoff also led the men's team into the conference championship match as a member of the MCC in 1989.

"Coach Brockhoff epitomizes what college athletics is all about," said Xavier Associate Vice President and Athletic Director Mike Bobinski. "He has been a wonderful ambassador for the University, all the while helping to develop young people as they prepare to take their place in society. We are excited that Jim will continue to lead the fundraising efforts for the tennis programs, and are thankful for all his years of service."

As a player, Brockhoff has won city championships in junior, open and senior division levels in singles and doubles. He served as deputy referee since the early 60s for amateur and pro tennis tournaments leading up to the present Western Southern Financial Group Championships. He has also worked at the U.S. Open and the National Clay Court Championships as an umpire while also serving as a referee for the national Father-Son Championships and as a pro at Eastern Hills Indoor Tennis Club and Coldstream Country Club.

A native of Cincinnati and a standout athlete at Purcell High School, Brockhoff was originally recruited to play quarterback for the Xavier football team.