John P. Mockler, 83, died on Sunday, June 6, 2010 in the Rose Monahan Hospice Home. Mockler helped establish the varsity intercollegiate athletics program serving as Worcester State's first Director of Athletics and varsity baseball coach.
Mockler served as the college's athletic director from 1952 to 1970 and during his tenure he also coached the men's volleyball team, the cross country team and track team's from 1952 to 1968. As the baseball coach, Mockler directed the squad win 27 straight games between 1964 and 1965 as each team won New England Conference championship crowns in both years. In 1964, the Lancer Hall of Fame club posted an unbeaten mark of 13-0.
Eight of Mockler's 16 teams posted winning seasons as he ended with a career record of 88-66-2 (.571) for the second highest winning percentage in program history, right behind current head coach Dirk Baker. His 1962 volleyball team won the Worcester College City Tournament Championship.
Mockler was the college's intramural director from 1952 to 1969
and he was also chairman of the men's physical education department
from 1952 to 1982. Mocker was the Worcester State Associate
Professor's representative on the Executive Board of the All
College Council and he had stints as the Vice President and
President of the New England College Athletic Conference. Mockler
retired from Worcester State College in 1991.
Mockler was a graduate of Columbia University, a United States Marine Corps World War II Veteran and a member of the Lancer Club. Mockler was inducted into the Worcester State College Hall of Fame as a contributor in 1990.
Mockler's funeral was this past Friday and he was buried in Worcester County Memorial Park in nearby Paxton, MA.