Worcester State

John F. "Doc" Coughlin, you were a key role model for so many college and area athletes, and you played a major role in the personal, professional and athletic development of players, coaches and officials.

You were the first and most successful hockey coach in Worcester State College history and your teams won more than 140 games in your 15 year career. Under your leadership the Lancers won the Eastern College Athletic (ECAC) Division III hockey championships in 1971-72, 1972-73, 1973-74, and again in 1976-77. Your 1971-72 team set an NCAA National record with 252 goals in only 24 games. Those indeed were the glory years for WSC hockey.

You were the first hockey coach at St. Peter's High School from 1960 through 1966. You were a founder of the Worcester Little League in 1956 and coached for 17 years. You were instrumental in the formation of Worcester PeeWee Youth Hockey Association and also coached for 14 years.

You have been referred to as a person who had a way about him like a pied piper - kids gravitated to you. You inspired young players to play to their potential and often beyond. In 1981, you were honored at a testimonial for your work with the sports community of Worcester for over 25 years.

The Ted Williams Little League Field was renamed in your honor and is now known as John Coughlin Field, Home of Ted Williams Little League. The football field on the Worcester State College campus was also dedicated to you at Homecoming in 1986.

"Doc", you were referred to as a "one-man alumni association", years before an active alumni association was developed at the college. Your giving and caring continues today through those you taught by your example.

Tonight, we honor John F. Coughlin's extraordinary life with his posthumous induction into the Worcester State College Athletic Hall of Fame, and, in doing so, we are deeply honored.