Longtime Arizona coach and educator Tom Succow has been selected as the recipient of the 2027 ABCA Dave Keilitz Ethics in Coaching Award, recognizing a career marked by leadership, integrity and service to student-athletes at the high school, collegiate and international levels.
Succow will be formally recognized during the 83rd annual ABCA Convention, which will take place January 7–10, 2027, at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois.
The American Baseball Coaches Association believes that the highest calling of a baseball coach is to teach life’s lessons and model the character traits of honesty, integrity, respect and personal responsibility. The ABCA Ethics in Coaching Award honors individuals who embody the ABCA Code of Ethics. In 2017, the award was named in honor of ABCA Board Member, Hall of Fame inductee and former Executive Director Dave Keilitz.
Succow spent 42 years at Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, Arizona, where he served as an English teacher, college counselor and baseball coach. He completed 40 seasons as head coach of the Brophy Broncos in 2017, concluding his tenure with 725 victories, a state championship in 2006 and state runner-up finishes in 1982, 2007 and 2012.
Throughout his career at Brophy, Succow remained committed to developing students beyond their athletic accomplishments. He took great pride in preparing young men to become successful professionals, husbands, fathers and leaders while working alongside assistant coaches who reflected the class, dignity and integrity expected throughout the Brophy community. Succow and his staff were recognized as Baseball Coaching Staff of the Year nine times.
Following his distinguished tenure at Brophy, Succow joined the Yavapai College baseball program, where he has continued to share his experience and passion for teaching as an assistant coach. In that role, he has primarily worked with the Roughriders’ outfielders and hitters while serving as a mentor to student-athletes and fellow coaches.
Succow’s influence has also extended to the international level through his service with five USA Baseball National Teams. He was an assistant coach for the gold medal-winning 16U National Team in 2003 before serving as head coach of the 16U team that earned a silver medal in 2004. In 2007, he led the inaugural 14U National Team to gold medals in Guatemala and Puerto Rico, and he later served as an assistant coach with the 18U National Team in 2010.
His accomplishments and impact on the coaching profession have earned him recognition at both the state and national levels. Succow was named the ABCA High School Div. III National Coach of the Year in 2006 and has been inducted into the Brophy Hall of Fame, Arizona Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, National High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and Arizona Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Across every stage of his career, Succow has exemplified the values at the heart of the ABCA Dave Keilitz Ethics in Coaching Award. His commitment to honesty, respect, personal responsibility and service has influenced generations of student-athletes and coaches while making a lasting impact on the game and the communities he has served.