The Saint Vincent Athletic Department announces the retirement of Jim Bendel, Head Women's Tennis Coach, effective November 30.

Bendel, 73, retires following the team's most successful season ever.  The Bearcats completed the fall 2011 schedule with a record of 15-3, 7-2 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference. 

A former men's player who led the team to a conference championship in 1960, Bendel revived the women's program in 2004 after a 13-year hiatus.  On October 11 of this season, in the team's penultimate game of the season, Bendel earned his 100th career coaching win.  He retires with an overall record of 101-69, including 50-27 his final five seasons. 

"Jim has been part of the Saint Vincent community for a long time," said Athletic Director, Fr. Myron Kirsch, OSB.  "He has done a wonderful job with the women's tennis program, and he will definitely be missed by not only the players but by his peers as well."

Chris McMahon, who has served as an assistant coach for the program, will take over as Interim Head Coach on December 1.