Bob Hallberg became the first head coach of the Saint Xavier University women's basketball program in 1999 and also took over as Athletics Director in May 2001. He has had some notable accomplishments with the SXU women's basketball program. The Cougars reached the 100-win mark in only their fourth season of existence, have achieved at least 20 wins in each season (including a program-best 31 wins in 2010) and haveadvanced to the NAIA National Tournament each of the last eight seasons.
Hallberg is a well-known figure on the Chicago hoops scene. He played high school basketball at Leo under legendary Jim Arnenberg andcontinued his playing careerat Chicago Teacher's College (now Chicago State University)under Spin Salario. Hallberg received his degree in physical education from Chicago State in 1966 and later obtained a master's degree in physical education from George Williams University (Ill.).
Upon graduation from CSU, Hallberg launched his coaching career at Kennedy High School on the southwest side of Chicago. In his five years there, his teams won 93 contests, while losing just 16 for a remarkable .853 winning percentage.
In 1971, Hallberg was named the head men's coach at Saint Xavier College. His teams won 127 games and two conference titles over the next six years. That success earned a call from Chicago State in 1977. Chicago State was looking for a coach to lead its program into the NCAA Division I ranks. Hallberg responded with a 10-year run in which his teams averaged 25 wins a season.
Hallberg had many accomplishments while at Chicago State. In 1984, CSU won a third-place finish in the NAIA National Tournament and was ranked as the No. 1 small-college team in the nation. In 1985, his team set a record for the most NCAA Division I victories for a program in its first season of Divison I competition when his Cougars won 16 games. During these years, Chicago State held the NCAA record for consecutive home victories with a win streak of 75.
In 1987, Hallberg moved on to the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC). His career coaching record (high school andcollege)is 802-365 (.687 win percentage). Hallberg has spent his entire coaching career building winning programs and the Saint XavierUniversity women's basketball team is easily one of his most successful projects. Innine yearswith the relatively new program, he has puttogether a national contender. Since the team began play in 2000, the Cougars have a 223-76 overall record (.746 win percentage).
He resides in Oak Lawn with his wife, Linda. He has three sons: Bob (Becky), Bill (Deanna) and Brian (Joy). He also has eight grandchildren: Nathan, Grace, Ben, Sofia, Gavin, Evan, Jason and Jake.
Hallberg works in the main Athletic Office suites located on the second floor of the Shannon Center on the Chicago campus. His direct office number is 773-298-3109.
| Years | School | Years | Record | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1966-71 |
Kennedy High School (men) |
5 |
93-16 |
.833 |
|
1971-77 |
Saint Xavier College (men) |
6 |
127-61 |
.676 |
|
1977-87 |
Chicago State University (men) |
10 |
224-84 |
.727 |
|
1987-96 |
University of Illinois - Chicago (men) |
9 |
134-128 |
.511 |
|
2000-10 |
Saint Xavier University (women) |
10 |
254-78 |
.765 |
|
COLLEGE TOTALS |
35 |
739-351 |
.678 |
|
|
TOTALS (Both high school and college) |
40 |
832-367 |
.694 |
|