Fordham Men’s Tennis & Squash Coach Bob Hawthorn Announces His Retirement

July 19, 2010 - PRLog -- Bronx, N.Y. – The Fordham Athletic Department announced today that head men’s tennis and squash coach Bob Hawthorn has retired from coaching after 54 years of service to the University, ending the longest tenure of any coach in school history.

Since taking over the coaching reins in the fall of 1956, back when the tennis courts were made of clay and the squash team had to travel daily to the New York Athletic Club to practice and play its matches, Hawthorn has been an institution of learning at Rose Hill, having always been committed to coaching, to his players, to his family, and to Fordham.

“Bob Hawthorn is a Fordham treasure.  His many years of hard work, dedication and love for the University and especially the men’s tennis and squash programs will always be appreciated,” said Frank McLaughlin, Fordham’s Executive Director of Athletics.

“Bob is a true Fordham legend.  We are looking forward to taking the strong foundation that Bob has established for the men’s tennis and squash programs and building on it to ensure future success.  We wish Bob and his family much success and happiness.”

A 1953 graduate of Fordham University, Hawthorn began his journey at Fordham as a standout on both tennis and squash teams and was inducted into the Fordham Athletic Hall of Fame in 1977. Hawthorn gained Eastern ranking prominence in the 1950s in both tennis and squash.

Following his graduation, Hawthorn enrolled in the graduate school at Rose Hill, eventually earning a Master of Science degree in Education in 1960, and took over the squash coaching reins in 1956, as one of the final hires by the legendary Jack Coffey. By 1958, Hawthorn was coaching year round as he took on the responsibility as men’s tennis coach.  He also began his teaching career at Fordham Prep that year, a position he retired from in 2005.

Winner of numerous conference titles over the years, which included three straight MAAC titles from 1983-85, Hawthorn was the first three-time winner of the “Iron Major” Award (1976, 1984, and 1985), given to Fordham’s top coach each year.  He also had three student-athletes receive the Lombardi Award as Fordham’s Male Student-Athlete of the Year under his tutelage.

For his loyalty and dedication to the tennis program, the outdoor tennis courts at Fordham were renamed the Hawthorn-Rooney Courts in 1999, a dual honor for Hawthorn and former women’s tennis coach John Rooney.

In February of 2006, Hawthorn was honored with his induction into the College Squash Association Hall of Fame and the CSA honored him further by creating a Hawthorn Championship Division.  Each year, the CSA Hall of Fame inducts players, coaches or friends that have had a major impact on the sport, which is exactly what Hawthorn did over the span of his career at Fordham.

“This is a prestigious award with challenging criterion, and is long overdue for an amazing man, such as Bob,” said Paul Assiaiante, one of the Men’s CSA Executive Board members, prior to Hawthorn’s Hall of Fame induction.
   
In addition, this past spring Hawthorn came full circle with the name that had hired him at Fordham, as he received the 2010 Jack Coffey Award, which is presented to a Fordham administrator, alumnus, or coach for outstanding contributions and dedication to the athletic program.

Away from Fordham, Hawthorn became a registered nurse, in addition to his teaching, in 1985. He and his wife of over 45 years, Eileen, reside in New Rochelle, N.Y., where the Hawthorns have raised seven children, all of whom have attended Fordham and either played or served as managers of the tennis team under their father.