Slippery Rock University Athletics

John Kocourek helped usher in one of the finest eras of Slippery Rock University men's soccer. Legendary head coach Jim Egli was hired in 1956 and went on to record 23 winning seasons in the following 31 years. The run began with Kocourek's squads that finished with above .500 records in thee of his four years as a collegiate star from 1957-60.
 
In his four-year career, Kocourek led Slippery Rock to a 22-12-2 record. In 1958 the Green and White put together a 7-3 record. The seven victories were the second most victories in a single-season in the program's first 31 years of existence.
 
A four-year letterman, Kocourek was named a co-captain with teammate Ron Cheslowski for his senior season. His quality play was recognized at the end of his final season of competition when he was named an All-American. Kocourek left Slippery Rock with 51 points off of 21 goals and nine assists. He still ranks 21st in Rock history in career points.
 
Kocourek was a three-sport athlete at Slippery Rock, competing on the baseball and swimming teams in addition to his exploits on the soccer field.
 
Upon graduating from Slippery Rock in 1962, Kocourek traveled to Wiesbaden, Germany where he worked as a youth recreation director for the United States Air Force. He stayed active in soccer by coaching the Wiesbaden Air Force squad and playing on a local team.
 
Following his four-year stint in Germany, Kocourek obtained his master's degree in in park and recreation management from the University of Oregon. He then spent the next 25 years serving as a park and recreation director in Illinois, Michigan, Washington and California.
 
In the mid-1990's, Kocourek and his wife opened a women's western apparel store called Girl of the West. At its peak, Girl of the West had store locations in Arizona, California and Colorado.
 
For the last 11 years, he has worked at United States Airways as a customer service manager in Wilmington, North Carolina. Still an avid sports fan, Kocourek regularly plays golf and is a member of the Wilmington Senior Softball League, an organization that plays 60 games a year. 
 
Kocourek and his wife Rebecca had three sons: Andre, Aaron and Ryan. Kocourek currently resides in Wilmington, North Carolina.