July 19, 2010
Retrospective Photo Gallery of Hawthorn's Career at Fordham
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, New York, 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.
Comments about Bob Hawthorn:
"When I was coming up through youth tournaments, former students that had gone to Fordham and played for Bob spoke so highly of him. He was a great coach, a great man, teaching for life. He wasn't just a teacher of tennis and squash, he taught us to be mature, to be a man, and make the right choices. He also taught us about family, as he loved his family and would always talk about them. He acted tough, but if you needed him, he was there, and that's something I'll always cherish about Bob. You also had to love that little smile of his. "
- Guy Gebbia '96, 1995 Lombardi Award Winner as Male Athlete of the Year
"Bob Hawthorn was a tremendous influence on me as a player as well as a person. He was always able to give an encouraging word after a defeat, but was also able to say the right thing to motivate you and raise your game when needed. I was able to improve my game quite a bit, not only though his athletic advice, but also through his life advice and quick wit. He also was very good at breaking down your game and making suggestions to get the advantage. I don't remember too many times where the advice was not helpful. He was able to bring the team together when, at times, it looked as though we were going in different directions. This is very important because Squash and Tennis are individual sports. It is easy to get self absorbed rather than be a team player. The thing I remember most was the fact that we were always encouraged to help a fellow team member with something that he was having difficulty with on the court as well as off the court. I have nothing but fond memories of my time at Fordham and I believe that Bob Hawthorn was a big part of it."
- Bill Ramsay '82, 1981 Lombardi Award Winner as Male Athlete of the Year
"Bob Hawthorn was a large part of my years at Rose Hill. I still remember the day I met Bob. It was September, 1972. After class, I walked over to the Prep and introduced myself, telling him that I would like to play squash for him. We formed an instant bond, and it was the first day of many that we ultimately would spend together over the next few years.
I recall fondly the road trips in his station wagon to outposts like Lancaster and Williamstown, where the banter was lively, and his sarcastic wit was always on display. The practice sessions at Dunwoodie, too, came to mean hours together with players helping each other--a habit he instilled in all of us.
Bob was a handsome, good looking man, always well-dressed, always aware that this was about much more than squash. It was about respect, fair play, gentlemanly behavior and hard work, all the while cognizant of the fact that we represented Fordham.
His encouragement and his desire to extract the best from his players will always stand out for me. My very first intercollegiate match took place on a cold December day at West Point. Paired against a very fit opponent on the exhibition court, I lost the first point of the match. Glancing up at the gallery, I saw Bob, the lone civilian standing among seventy-five gray uniforms who were screaming at the top of their lungs and stomping on the floor to create even more of a ruckus. With that little smile of his, he shot me a look that said, "We may be outnumbered, but I'm behind you all the way." I can remember how proud he was after the match and unafraid to show it. The encouragement he offered me that day has stayed with me to this day.
Prior to the start of my senior year, my parents offered to host a "kickoff" dinner at our home. I can still see Bob saying grace as all nine of us sat around the dining room table. We were his second family; we were his team of young men; and we looked up to him.
Years later, I look back and know he was our mentor, a natural teacher, and it was clear that he cared. He embraced us and he never let go of us."
-Bill Andruss '75, 1975 Lombardi Award Winner as Male Athlete of the Year; Two-time All-American; NCAA Runner-up
