DALLAS – Steve Koch has announced that his 30th year as Jesuit Dallas Director of Athletics will be his last. Over the years, Koch elevated Jesuit's profile as a national and state-contending program while creating an unprecedented level of visibility and opportunity for Jesuit's student-athletes. He will remain as the School's athletic director through the 2023-24 academic year.
Koch's three-decade tenure produced a bevy of historical firsts and has been marked by tremendous growth. Hired in 1994 to replace Gary Pasqua '55, who had served as director of athletics for the previous 29 years, Koch introduced 10 new varsity programs at Jesuit, nearly doubling the number of the School's sport offerings. Many of those programs, such as crew, cycling, and rugby, have grown to become benchmark programs throughout the region.
"Steve has always been eager and willing to try new things," reflected President Mike Earsing. "If our students showed an interest, then Steve made sure to support them in following their passion. Over the years the growing number of opportunities has helped countless young men find a place where they belong and where they can meet and then exceed their limits."
Under Koch's leadership Jesuit Dallas was accepted into the University Interscholastic League (UIL), the governing body for the state's public and charter schools. Jesuit's application to the UIL was approved in 2003, ending decades of legal wrangling and granting Jesuit students the opportunity to compete against the biggest and best programs in Texas. It was a landmark decision for the UIL, and it had a tremendous impact on the culture and history of Jesuit.
"Transitioning to the UIL created so many competitive opportunities for our students," Koch said. "Along with experiencing the tremendous facility growth on our campus, I'll always be most proud of our commitment to nurture the athletic pursuits of our young men."
Koch built on Jesuit's dominant legacy in the Texas Catholic Interscholastic League and has guided Jesuit through a period of unmatched excellence across the breadth of the program. Since joining the UIL, Jesuit Dallas has captured a state-high 77 boy's district championships as well as 18 state championships in baseball, soccer, rugby, lacrosse, and hockey.
In 2010, the Jesuit Dallas soccer team became the first private school team in the history of the UIL to clinch a state title while ending the year ranked No. 1 in the ESPN Rise and Top Drawer Soccer national rankings. As part of an exciting spring in 2016 that saw the nationally ranked Rangers win the UIL 6A Baseball State Championship, Jesuit Dallas became the first crew program from Texas to ever qualify for the famed Henley Royal Regatta.
In addition to establishing new programs and sub varsity teams to support the 70% of Jesuit students participating in varsity athletics, Koch's tenure has been defined by the growth of marquee events such as the S.W.E.A.T. Regatta and the Bob Stras Knights of Columbus Basketball Tournament. Most notably, under Koch's guidance the annual Jesuit-Sheaner Relays has evolved to become one of the most prestigious mid-season high school track & field meets in the nation.
"It will be easy for people to point to all the ways Jesuit's program grew under Steve's leadership, but his dedication in seeing us through the pandemic and forced shutdown of so many athletic programs was also impressive," offered Principal Tom Garrison '92. "Steve worked tirelessly to make sure that our coaches, and by extension our student-athletes, were cared for during those difficult times, and that we were prepared to return to activity as quickly and safely as possible. Thankfully, it will be seen as a footnote in his distinguished career, but the experience was a profound reminder of Steve's love and care for Jesuit and its people."
Beyond the 47 state championships and hundreds of student-athletes who have earned state and national recognition, Koch's tenure as athletic director will be best remembered for the abundance of goodwill he fostered throughout the DFW community. Building relationships with officials, businesses, families, and non-profit organizations across the metroplex, Koch remains the consummate Jesuit ambassador. He is the architect behind 30 years of inspiring growth and success and leaves a legacy as one of Jesuit's greatest champions.
"Working at Jesuit for the past 30 years has been an incredible journey filled with moments of joy, growth, and inspiration," revealed Koch. "I have had the privilege of witnessing the transformation of student-athletes into the best versions of themselves, becoming men for others in sports and in life. None of this would have been possible without the support and dedication of our incredible coaching staff, who have made this experience even more meaningful. Moreover, raising my family in a community where the values of faith and family are instilled has been an invaluable gift. Jesuit is a testament to the power of education, sports, and a strong community working together that will forever hold a special place in my heart. I want to thank God, my wife, Lyn, my family, and the entire Jesuit community for your unwavering support and love, which has been the foundation of this memorable experience."
