Changes on the Court

Elliot Lovi, who led the Livingston boy's team to perfect season and state championship, is expected to take over as girls coach at LHS starting in the fall.

Lovi, who spent the past 27 seasons as the girls coach at Millburn, stepped down from that post last Wednesday.

Lovi said that coaching both seasons in the same district was a small factor in his decision.

“There’s always uncertainty if you’re an out-of-district coach. I figured this was a good opportunity for me. The job was open in Livingston,” Lovi said. “I probably wasn’t going to be at Millburn much longer, I just thought it was time to let someone else do it.”

The legendary coach leaves behind an unbelievable legacy at Millburn. While at Millburn, he amassed a 659-92 career record, for an astounding 88 percent winning mark since taking over the position in 1983. During that time, he has led the girls to five Group 2 championships, seven Group 3 titles and four overall state championships. He is easily one of the most successful tennis coaches in the state’s history.

“Obviously he is an icon in the tennis world in New Jersey and also outside of the state,” said MHS girls junior varsity coach, Bill Wickenheisser. “I think he is excited about doing something new.”

Lovi broke the news to his players last eek, and said that they were all very surprised by the news and some disappointed.

This past year, the girls went 25-2, winning their sixth straight county championship and fifth straight Group 3 title. With the girls losing just one starter from last season, Lovi is confident that he is leaving them in a good place and in good hands. 

“I always dislike when coaches leave when they run out of talent [on the team],” Lovi said. “I’m leaving them in good hands. They’re going to be a contender for the Tournament of Champions, in fact they will be one of the favorites. They’re going to be good.”

Speculation would lead one to believe that Wickenheisser, would be the top candidate for the open position. He is a teacher in the district, winner of the last three Group 3 titles as the boys’ head coach, and has expressed an interest in the job, though he admitted to being taken by surprise with Lovi’s decision.

“I guess I would be all gung-ho for the position under different circumstances, but this has all taken me by surprise,” Wickenheisser said. “I would imagine that I will be coaching the girls, but I just have to manage my family time with my work time now.”

Even off of the tennis courts, coach Lovi was always a common face around other sporting events at Millburn, and said that he doesn’t plan on changing that.

“I’m not disappearing, I still plan on helping out with Millburn as much as I can,” he said. “I’m still going to go to games … There’s so many good people there, I love being at Millburn.”