Dr. John S. Hoogasian. your accomplishments and dedication to cross country and track are legendary in Worcester State and Central Massachusetts athletic annuals, for not only have you gained individual fame but you also provided inspiration and leadership to your teammates and the athletes you have coached over the years.

You ran cross country and competed in indoor and outdoor track for three years at Worcester State earning nine varsity letters, and you established yourself as the top pole vaulter in the College's history. Your leadership qualities were recognized by your selection as a co-captain of the teams for three years.

You were selected All Conference by the New England State College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) in 1971 and were the pole vault champion at the New England Conference meet in 1970 and 1971. You were also a member of the first Worcester State mile relay team to qualify for the NCAA Division II and III Regional Championships.

You set the record in cross country in 1969 of 27:33 over the College's 4.8 mile course. You also set a time of 2:52:3 in the 26 mile Atlanta Peach Bowl Marathon and finished in 12th place. As a junior you set the record in the pole vault of 13 feet and were a member of the record setting mile relay team. As a senior you set the indoor pole vault mark with a jump of 13'6 and you still hold the indoor pole vault record for the Brandeis Invitational at 13'4. You had a vault of 14' at the New England Amateur Athletic Union meet and set the Dartmouth College decathlon record with 5,664 points in 1971. You were a member of the mile relay team that set the record in the NESCAC meet in 1971 with a time of 3:28.1, a record which still stands today.

You are still ranked among New England pole vaulters and you won the New England Track Athletic Conference pole vault in 1986. In 1987 you captured the Master's Championship at the Dartmouth Relays with a vault of 12'6.

You have been the cross country coach at Worcester State for the past 10 years and the coach of our indoor and outdoor track teams for the past three years. You were also the head track coach at Southbridge High for 12 years. You are currently the coordinator of Health and Physical Education in the Southbridge Public School System.

Dr. John S. Hoogasian, it is with great pride that we induct you into the Worcester State College Athletic Hall of Fame.