"HE WAS THE FIRST- MICHAEL FRANCIS MAYOCK SR."

JULY, 2025

The aim of Careys Corner and the Malvern history tab on the football website is to chronicle the success of the program over the years. There have been many stories and stats of two well- known coaches- “Shark” and “Gamp”. I played for Shark and watched Gamp’s teams for all 31 years. Both of these coaches had multiple IA championships to their name and had very successful runs as the head coach of the Malvern football program. However, before “Shark” and “Gamp”, there was a coach named Michael Francis Mayock Sr. To the best of my knowledge, he never had a nickname. I just always knew him as Mr. Mayock or Coach Mayock.

He didn’t have a nickname but he left a legacy at not one but two Inter-Ac schools.

This is his story.

Mr. Mayock hailed from upstate, Wilke Barre, Pa. The family moved down to the Overbrook area when he was eight years old. He attended St. Joes Prep for high school (we won’t hold that against him) and went on to played football at Villanova. It should surprise no one that he was captain of the team his senior season. Drafted by the Steelers in 1955, he passed on that opportunity to pursue his passion of teaching and coaching. After having taught and coached at St. Johns in Manayunk, he arrived at Malvern in 1956. Mr. Mayock was the second head coach in the Inter-Ac era for Malvern. He replaced Stan Javie who became quite famous in his own right (Careys Corner- From Malvern Coach to Legendary Referee, May 2024). In addition to his coaching responsibilities, he taught Latin and Algebra (1956-1963). That’s quite a unique combination of subjects. In his coaching career at MP, his name is firmly in the record books as the coach who garnered the 1st Inter-Ac championships for Malvern. During a 4 year stretch of games, from 1959 to 1962 Malvern went a healthy 26-7. They shared the title with Penn Charter and GA in 1959 and again, shared the title with Penn Charter in 1962. In 1960 and 1961, the Friars just missed out on two titles by getting edged by GA in 1960 and losing to Haverford School in 1961. Except for a bounce of the football here or there, almost four in a row. Not a bad run.

The 1959 team was led by Mike Buono (Wall of Fame), Tony Rizzotte (Wall of Fame), Bob Auch (Wall of Fame), Joe McGill (Wall of Fame), Jim Owen and Steve Saul. Quite a distinguished group of players. The Friars started out the year with a tough 8-0 loss to Friends Central but then ripped off 5 straight wins by an average score of 30-10. Four of those wins came in the Inter-Ac with wins against CHA, GA, HS and EA. The Friars were denied the outright title by Penn Charter with a hard fought 14-0 loss. After a tough loss it would have been easy to cash it in for the rest of the season, but one thing you knew about any Coach Mayock team is that he always had them prepared to win. In the spirit of not giving up, these Friars closed out the season with a 14-6 win over St. Joes Prep and feasted on St. Matthews 33-7. In the St. Joes game, a Mike Buono fumble recovery set up a Jim Owens 6 yard run. The clinching TD was a 72 yard drive ending in a Buzzy Dugan to Bryan Murphy completion. Jim Owens did most the damage against St. Matthews from 30, 53 and 64 yards. Tack on a Mike Kuzler run and a Kulzer to Saul TD pass and the Friars ended the season in style.

The 1962 team was led by John Toland (Wall of Fame), Henry Smith, John Kolmer (Wall of Fame), Charlie Hinkle (Wall of Fame) and Rob Kirby. In true Malvern tradition these guys played some great defense. In 5 of their 8 games, they gave up a touchdown or less. These Friars lost a squeaker in the opener, 14-13 to Millville but then ran off 6 straight by an average score of 22-7. A two touchdown effort by John Kolmer in a 13-7 win over Penn Charter put the Friars in position for the outright title. Unfortunately, a tough season ending loss to Chestnut Hill prevented the outright title but allowed Malvern to share the title with Penn Charter. I played with John’s brothers- Kevin, Brian and Mark. All four were all Inter-Ac and all 4 also won IA titles. In a very déjà vu kind of moment, Kevin had a very similar performance against Penn Charter in 1969 that John had in 1962 (Careys Corner- The Season And The Game That Started It All- April 2023).

Mr. Mayock taught at Haverford School for 26 years. He had two stints as the Head Coach of the football team, from 1970 to 1976 and from 1983-1987. I played against his 1970 and 1971 undefeated teams. On this website, I often highlight the great players I have played with or watched at Malvern. In comparison these two Haverford School teams were extremely talented across the board. For the back in the day MP players, you might remember Bill Osborne at QB, Art Garwood, John Berringer and Tom Hipple on the lines, Jim Nesbitt at tight end, a backfield that had Russ Allen, Peter Lindquist, John Haldeman and Frank McCann holding it down at DB. Those teams went a perfect 8-0 in both seasons and outscored their opponents 36-8 over that 16 game stretch. Only back to back undefeated teams in Haverford School Inter-Ac history. Great players playing for a one of a kind coach. I have watched many IA games and IA teams over the years and in my opinion these guys would be in any discussion of the best of the best. And speaking of the best, John Haldeman was one of the most gifted athletes I have ever seen.

Coach Mayock and his wife, Susanne, had 8 children- 3 girls and 5 boys. All 5 boys, Mike, Mark, Dan, Pete, and Matt went to Haverford School and were excellent athletes. Mr. Mayock had the good fortune to coach Mike Jr. and Matt but missed out on Mark, Dan and Pete. But to steal the phrase “all is well that ends well”, all 5 sons and Mr. Mayock are in Haverford School Hall of Fame. Mike and Mark went onto Boston College, Pete played football and hoops at Dickinson and Matt started at DB for the Bucknell Bison. Yeah, there was some pretty good DNA floating around the Mayock family.

I believe Mr. Mayock is only 1 of 3 coaches to win IA titles at two schools. Jim Auch Jr. did it at Haverford School and Episcopal and Rick Knox did it at Episcopal and Chestnut Hill. It is always a noted accomplishment to win titles and go undefeated but his son Mike offered up that his dad was most proud of the hundreds of players and students he helped get into college. College placements were his true “championships”.

Coach Mayock’s former students and players from both Haverford and Malvern spoke of the enormous influence that he had on the people around him in the development of skills, character and friendship. One former colleague called his understated viewpoints “Mayockian Principles”. Mr. Mayock’s impact extended far beyond the classroom and playing field. In a heartfelt gesture to honor Mr. Mayock, a group of former students and players from both Malvern and Haverford collaborated to create The Michael F. Mayock Distinguished Teacher and Coach Award. John Haldeman (Haverford School) spearheaded the foundation. Former MP stars John Toland, Mike Buono and many other former Malvern players who played for Mr. Mayock, were on the board and donated to the foundation. The award was to be given to an outstanding teacher/coach in the Inter-Ac. Not only was a plaque given, but each teacher/coach was awarded a stipend. Many of his fellow players, students and coaches became lifelong friends. It was a testament to the devotion to his craft and to the people in his path.

In many cases I know the word legend can be overused and I am sure that the word legend would have never entered Mr. Mayock’s mind. I was honored to know Mr. Mayock and to have competed against his teams. In my mind, he is a true legend in the annals of Inter-Ac history and I would bet his family, friends and former players would agree.

Mr. Mayock passed away in January of 2021, surrounded by his loving family. He will always be remembered by those who knew him. Michael Francis Mayock Sr. has passed but his legacy never will.

Great teacher, great coach, great guy.

I found this picture of Mr. Mayock when I was doing my research. I just thought it was a really cool picture of him. It was from his days at Villanova.

You could say this is a full circle, 1 degree of separation, kind of picture. Mike’s son on the left played for Gamp and was on the 2008 undefeated championship team, one of Gamp’s best. Mike Jr. went to Haverford School and Mr. Mayock connected the 2 schools, his son and his grandson, by teaching and coaching at both.

*Thanks to Mike Mayock Jr. for his additional insights and for sharing the generational picture.

More to come....