1-General | 12/14/2020 1:18:00 PM
MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—Jim Cox, Barry University's Associate Director of Athletics for Facilities and Events Operations, has announced his retirement effective January 15, 2021 after a 44-year career as an icon within the South Florida sports community.
"I've been very lucky," Cox said. "As a native Miamian, I have spent my entire career in college athletics in Miami, without ever having to leave the area."
Cox will be ending his very active career having served Barry for the last nine-plus years overseeing all aspects of facility management and the many external events that Barry has hosted. He has helped maintain the University's reputation for providing top notch facilities for amateur, professional, national and Olympic teams to train. In addition, Cox has served as the sport supervisor for the volleyball and baseball programs at Barry.
"I have had the great fortune of being able to work with and assist in hosting the most recognizable soccer clubs in the world, such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, England World Cup Team, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Honduras as well as both men's and women United States National Teams; as well as each year hosting NCAA football teams coming to Miami to participate in the Orange Bowl or Football Playoff games such as Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma, Mississippi State, Clemson and many others. Our administrative and facilities staff always does exceptional work in serving as a top-notch host for these events."
"I am grateful for the outstanding support I received from AD (Mike) Covone and the many other coaches, staff and administrators within the University," Cox said. "Barry is fortunate to have so many employees who are dedicated to mentoring the young people who cross our paths and assisting them in being better students, athletes, and persons through spiritual, academic and personal growth and service to others."
Beginning his career in February 1977 as a community recreation supervisor at Miami Dade College, Cox was promoted in September to the sports information director position, which he held for 10 years. He then moved into the post of assistant athletic director (1987-1997) followed by being named the college-wide director of athletics from 1997 to 2010. Under his guidance, MDC appeared in 17 National Junior College Athletic Association championship tournaments, capturing six national titles, and Sharks teams participated in 33 post-season championships. Over 150 student-athletes earned All-Academic and All-American status.
While leaving his full-time duties at Barry University, Cox will continue to be available to work part-time at Buccaneer athletic events as needed in broadcasting, score table duties, and supervision of external rental events. He will also continue to work as the Gameday Crew Chief for the Miami Heat basketball team, as well as a statistician for the Miami Dolphins and the University of Miami football teams. Cox has worked six Super Bowls, five NBA Finals, and numerous Bowl games as an official statistician.
"Having been used to a very busy schedule for five decades, I will not shut down completely being involved with the many events and teams in the South Florida area," Cox said. "But my priorities will now switch to spending time with my three daughters and their families, which includes five grandchildren, traveling the country, and finding time to relax at the beach reading the 100 books or so that I have been procrastinating to read!"
Cox has been inducted into three Halls of Fame: the Florida College System Activities Association, the NJCAA Volleyball Hall of Fame and the Florida State Men's Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. He was also honored by NACDA as the Athletic Director of the Year for Two-Year Colleges in 2007, and currently serves on the Editorial Board of the Athletic Management magazine, having several articles published.
