Jim Bocci
Head Coach, Aquatics Director
Coach Bocci is in his sixth year of coaching at Fork Union Military Academy after eight years active duty service in the U.S. Navy and employment in the private business sector. In his first year he led the Blue Devils to its first winning season in over 10 years, and coached the Virginia High School and East Coast Prep School Champion in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle events. From there the program has taken off with a Virginia Prep League Championship in 2009, State Championship 2nd place finish in 2009, followed by another Prep League Championship in 2010, and FUMAs first State Championship title in 2010. He was named the 2007-08 Virginia High School Prep League Coach of the Year, and twice named the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Coach of the Year (2009 and 2010). Prior to his military service, he helped coach McDowell High School (Erie, PA) to an undefeated dual meet season, District Championship, and second place finish at the Pennsylvania State Swimming Championship (1996-1997). During his Navy career, he was accepted into the U.S. Navy Sports Program where he represented the Navy in national and international swimming competitions.
Coach Bocci is currently pursuing his Master of Sports Science at the United States Sports Academy. A 1996 graduate of Edinboro University, he holds a B.A. in Psychology. He also holds membership in the American Swim Coaches Association, and the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association.
Brett Balhoff
Head Age-Group Coach, Assistant High School Coach
Coach Balhoff has served seven years as one of the Fork Union Military Academy swim coaches. He has led several swimmers to the state championship meet including individual high school state champions. Prior to coaching at FUMA, Coach Balhoff was an assistant coach at St. James Club in Toledo, OH in 2002, and an assistant and head coach at Brandywine Country Club in Maumee, OH from 1997-2000.
During his swimming career, he was a high school All-American at Sylvania Northview High School, and a two year captain and a multiple record holder at Butler University. Coach Balhoff is currently pursuing his Masters Degree in Education at the University of Virginia.
Kerrie Bocci
Development Coach, Assistant High School Coach
Coach Bocci, Jim's wife, is a sixth year chemistry teacher at FUMA. A graduate of Grove City College (Pennsylvania), with a B.S. in Biology, and an M.S. in Pharmacy with a concentration in forensics from the University of Florida, she has nine years teaching and six years coaching experience. Jim and Kerrie have a very sweet and busy three year old son, Sergio.
James Benson
Development Coach
Coach Benson is a fourth year coach with the club, and has served four years as a spanish teacher and the Chaplain at FUMA. He is also an assistant indoor/outdoor tarck and field coach for the Academy. A graduate of the Baptisit Theological Seminary, Richmond, with a Master of Divinity, he also holds a bachelor degree in International Relations from Florida International University. James served as a coach-in-training under Coach Balhoff last season. He is married to Leslie, and has two wonderful children, Jordan and Evie.
