During fall soccer season, Xavier student Rob Bakker longs for an open court and a good game of Atlantic 10 tennis. When spring tennis season arrives, he imagines the thrill of Muskies men's soccer.

        Bakker spends his time juggling academics with Division I soccer and tennis, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

        “It seems pretty normal to me because I've been playing these sports all my life. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have them — I'd probably have too much free time,” Bakker said.

        Bakker doesn't just compete in soccer and tennis; he has set Xavier athletic precedents. He's the first male athlete on record in 20 years to compete in multiple sports, and he's the first male athlete in school history to win all-conference honors in two sports.

        Bakker earned first-team Atlantic 10 honors last spring after posting successful tennis records in singles (15-4) and doubles (10-6).As a midfielder, Bakker earned another all-conference first-team honor in the fall after contributing two goals and 10 assists.

        Tennis coach Jim Brockhoff said chances are good that Bakker will be first-team all-A-10 again. Bakker, Xavier's No.1 singles player, is undefeated in Atlantic 10 singles play (5-0). He'll compete in the Atlantic 10 Tennis Championships starting today in Pittsburgh.

        “This has been our goal all year — to win the conference — and I think we have a legitimate shot at it,” he said.

        A native of Beverwijk, The Netherlands, Bakker originally committed to Xavier to play soccer for coach Jack Hermans, also from The Netherlands.

        Bakker struggled to give up tennis, and eventually, he sent Brockhoff a video showcasing his tennis talent in hopes of landing a spot on the team.

        “As soon as I saw that tape, I couldn't wait for him to get here,” Brockhoff said.

        “It's such a delight to watch him play. Besides having talent, he has that desire. He doesn't want to lose.”

        Bakker has a bachelor's degree in management and will graduate in May with an MBA.

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