Heidelberg Athletics Hall of Fame
Koch, was born in Escanaba, Michigan and is a graduate of Chillicothe High School in Chillicothe, Ohio. Koch has become an example of how hard work pays off, as he went from maintaining clay courts when he was younger to being named the 2004 Ohio Tennis Professional of the Year.
The accomplishments began right away for him. He received his first of four varsity letters as a freshman at the Berg. Tennis, although, was not the only sport in which Koch achieved. He was initially recruited to wrestle at the Berg and did so for two years. After his sophomore year he, wrapped up his wrestling career to focus solely on tennis.
By the end of his four years at Heidelberg, Koch had become a renowned name at Heidelberg and nationally. Koch finished with an overall singles record of 50-11 and a doubles record of 36-21. He became the first OAC champion in the school's history at number one singles and did so twice. Koch was nationally ranked by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) at no. 52 in singles and no. 12 in doubles. His senior year, Koch set a new 'Berg record by finishing 18-1 at the number one singles spot.
His success carried through after graduating from Heidelberg in 1998, and he became a United States Professional Tennis Association certified professional. Koch now passes on his talents as a director at multiple institutions and teaching clinics, and continues to give private lessons to young boys and girls.
(This profile appeared in the 2011 Hall of Fame Banquet program.)Â
