Stan Mock

When the words “All-Around Outstanding Athlete” are used to identify a gifted athlete, Stan Mock is one who fits that title.

   Stan graduated from Chestnut Ridge High School in 1968, and during his athletic career, he earned 15 varsity letters in five sports He earned four varsity letters in baseball and track, three varsity letters in football and basketball, and one in wrestling. He has the record for varsity letters earned in Chestnut Ridge school history and is recognized as probably being the best athlete in school history.

   Stan achieved his greatest success in football. He started as the quarterback for three seasons under coach Dick Fisher. During his junior and senior years, he led the Lions to a record of 18 wins and 2 losses, losing one game each season by a combined total of seven points. He was the team captain and coach Fisher described him as “an outstanding team leader with a great attitude. He was an excellent ball-handler and a great runner, even though he handled the quarterback duties.”

   He led the Lions to two straight Somerset Class B League Championships his junior and senior years. He also played defensive back and punted for the Lions. His eight interceptions his senior year and 11 career interceptions are school records.

   His senior season, Stan led the county in scoring with 114 points on 18 touchdowns while rushing for 1,089 yards. He was twice named to the Bedford Gazette All-County First Team and was also selected to the Tribune Democrat Scholastic All-Star Team.

   In basketball, Stan started varsity for three years and scored over 1,000 points for his career. He scored 37 points in one game his senior year, which was a school record for many years. His coach George Marsh called him a “terrific ball-handler and shooter and a great team player.” He was named to the Bedford Gazette All-County First Team.

   One would not think a basketball player to be a wrestler at the same time, but during his senior year, Stan was asked by wrestling coach Bob Pope to wrestle a crucial match against Bedford. With 30 minutes of practice the night before, Stan wrestled heavyweight against Milky Allen, who was the district champion that year. Unfortunately, Stan did not win the match, but the school awarded him a varsity letter for his effort and for his great school spirit. This may be the only time a basketball player wrestled varsity during the same season.

   Stan also was a four-year starter in baseball and track. In baseball, he was the team’s leading hitter in average and slugging percentage his senior year.

   In track, he competed in the long jump, triple jump and throws. His 20 foot, 5.6 inch long jump was a modern record in the county for many years.

   During his senior year, Stan was named the outstanding football player, the outstanding basketball player, and the school’s outstanding athlete. His high school career culminated with the offer of a full, all-expense paid football scholarship to Syracuse University under legendary coach Ben Schwartzwalder.

   He was switched to tailback and played tailback and defensive back on the freshman team and scored several touchdowns. During spring practice of his freshman year, Stan was fighting for the starting tailback position on the varsity team. He suffered a shoulder injury that later required surgery. At the end of the school year, he returned home and decided not to return to the university for his sophomore year.

   Stan played several years in the local softball leagues. He went into the home construction industry and then into the trucking industry for many years, hauling new autos all across the United States.

   He has been married to Cathy for almost 40 years and lives in the Chestnut Ridge School District in Lovely. They have a daughter Michelle and two sons, Matthew and Ryan. They have been blessed with four grandsons.

   Stan says “None of what has been in my life could have been achieved without my super teammates in school, the outstanding coaches believing in me, my wonderful family, and my faith in God.”


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Class of 2011
Bedford County Sports Hall of Fame
Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Class of 2011
Class of 2011

Bedford County Sports
Hall of Fame