HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Northern Kentucky University men’s soccer head coach John Toebben died late Saturday night after a seven-month battle with cancer.
Toebben, 61, had been the NKU head coach since 1990 and owned a career record of 137-105-15 with the Norse. He led NKU to back-to-back Great Lakes Valley Conference championships in 1992 and ’93, and he also guided the Norse to the 1995 GLVC title.
“John Toebben was an outstanding gentleman who cared deeply about his players,” NKU athletic director Jane Meier said. “When you think of John Toebben, you think of soccer. He loved the game and was a true ambassador for the sport in our community. John was loved and respected by his players and the entire athletics staff, and he will be deeply missed. Our hearts go out to his family.”
In his 13 years as NKU head coach, Toebben was 75-42-8 against GLVC opponents. He also was named GLVC Coach of the Year twice (1992 and ’93) while building the program into a conference powerhouse.
“He took over the NKU program when it was down, built it into a contender and eventually won three GLVC championships,” Meier said.
Toebben’s 1995 team posted a school-record 16 wins en route to capturing the GLVC championship. His 1996 team - which featured All-American J.T. Roberts - finished with a 14-5-1 record, and the Norse were ranked No. 14 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll midway through the season.
In addition, Toebben was the developer and former owner of the Town & Country Sports Complex in Wilder, Ky. That state-of-the-art facility has served as NKU’s home field since 1998.
In his first season at NKU in 1990, Toebben led the Norse to a 9-9-1 mark and was named Mideast Coach of the Year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Prior to coming to NKU, Toebben spent three years as men’s soccer coach at Thomas More College, where he guided the Saints to a 24-24-5 mark.
From 1983 to 1985, Toebben coached the Kolping Soccer Program’s under-19 team, and once took them on a three-week, 15-game visit to Europe. They finished 11-4 on that trip. He also coached on the high school level at Covington Latin from 1980-84, and at Covington Catholic from 1975-79.
Visitation will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday at St. Agnes Church in Ft. Wright, Ky. Mass will follow at 7 p.m.
Toebben was a native of Lorup, Germany.
John Toebben