California University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Versatile and possessing a physical style of play, Joseph Dochinez was a two-way star football player for the Vulcan football team from 1948 through 1950.

Playing under both head coaches Earle Bruce and Ted Nemeth, Dochinez came to Cal U after serving a year-and-a-half in the U.S. Marines Corps, where he was a squad leader in Paris Island and also served at the Naval Air Station in Anacostia, Maryland.

Before serving his country, Dochinez received a full scholarship and played one year of football at Wake Forest University. He made the traveling squad and played in the 1946 Gator Bowl, helping the Demon Deacons defeat South Carolina, 34-12.

"Playing in the Gator Bowl was a great experience," Dochinez said. "I was obsessed with joining the Marines and when I got out of the Marines I was about 20 and realized I better think about getting myself an education and some direction. I had heard about California and figured I would give it a whirl."

From 1946 through 1949, Cal football teams also used freshman from Penn State University but Dochinez made an immediate impact. He was a starting offensive guard and linebacker on the 1948 and 1949 teams, which compiled 6-1 and 7-1 records respectively and never lost to a PSAC opponent. During his senior year, Nemeth switched Dochinez from offensive line to blocking back in Cal's single-wing attack and the Vulcans went 3-3 overall. Dochinez was again a starting linebacker and a 1950 co-captain with offensive backfield mate Don O'Hara. "It did not matter to me where I played as long as I got to play. That's all that mattered to me," said Dochinez. "We had the cream of the crop back then."

Dochinez was the only California player selected to West Liberty's All-Opponents team and was also extremely active on campus. The student body elected Dochinez as Cal's Most Representative Student in 1950 and several organizations he belonged to included student congress, varsity club, veterans club, glee club, student activities association, and mixed chorus. "I received an excellent education but my grades were not as good as they could have been," said Dochinez, who called Gene Hart a mentor figure. "But back then I was young and really enjoyed doing all of those different activities."

After earning his bachelor's degree in education in 1951, Dochinez signed a contract for $3,500 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and attended the team's training camp where he was one of the final cuts. "I got cut and at the time I was heartbroken but now that I look back I am glad because at least I have most of my body in one piece," Dochinez joked. "Guys weren't as big back then and if you were 210 pounds that was about average for pro football."

Originally from Monongahela, Pa., and a graduate of Monongahela High School where he was a two-year football star, Dochinez began his distinguished career in education by teaching one year at Carroll Township before moving to Meyersdale, where he taught 10th and 12th grade students from 1952 through 1959. He also was an assistant football coach at Meyersdale under Bill Hepner and earned his Ed.D. from the University of Pittsburgh while teaching and coaching.

He returned to Cal U in 1961 and served in numerous capacities until retiring as an Emeritus faculty member in 1991. Two of the many positions he handled were serving as the director of student activities and assistant dean of men.

"I think my involvement was so much with the students and I believe I was fortunate to work with the best caliber of students at the school," said Dochinez. "As a student I was in student congress and government and then got to work with those same groups later as an advisor, which was great." Dochinez was also elected and served as Mayor of California Borough from 1982 through 2002. "I enjoyed most of it but the frustrating part of a holding a public office is that it does not always attract good people who can really make a town move," Dochinez said. "I am very proud of the Rotary Park and I think I was more involved with that than anyone in town because I wanted that to be a reality."

Coinciding with the town's development has been unprecedented development at Cal U, a reality the former Mayor lauds. "It's hard to believe all the good and positive change that has taken place on campus," said Dochinez. "Each time I come down I am amazed at something else that I see. I go back to when we had barracks that we stayed in by the new science building and to see all that's happening now is incredible." His Hall of Fame induction culminates a brilliant college football career that began with Dochinez playing against powerful big-time schools such as Army, which back then featured such recognizable stars as Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis.

"I am definitely pleased and when I compare my experience with others who have been inducted, I feel I am deserving of this honor," said Dochinez. "All my coaches have passed away and I realized there really were not many people left to give me support and I would like to thank Elmo Natali and George Novak for their efforts. I've been retired for nearly 15 years and don't know many people down on the campus anymore."

A dedicated and proud citizen, Dochinez has worked or served on numerous civic and religious organizations over the last 50 years. He and his first wife, the late Patty Berger who passed away in 1984, raised four grown children; Mary Beth, Joe, Chad, and Becky.

He and his wife Eileen reside in California.

"I am proud of California and proud of my family," said Dochinez. "When Dr. Duda interviewed and offered me for a teaching job back in 1961, I looked at it as an opportunity to come home and have felt the same way about California and the university ever since."