Hall of Fame
An economics major, John Topichak was a two-sport standout in football and lacrosse at Hobart College. A three-year letter winner in football, Topichak was named the 1970 Vincent Welch Memorial Football Trophy winner as the Statesmen’s Most Valuable Player on offense. A three-time All-American in lacrosse, Topichak is among the most prolific scorers in Hobart history. He ranks seventh on the Statesmen’s career scoring list with 202 career points (157 goals, 45 assists). He enjoyed his finest season in 1969, scoring 65 goals, a then-Hobart record, and 22 assists for a then-record of 87 points, which still ranks ninth all-time. Topichak also set the Hobart single game goals and points record in 1969, scoring 14 goals and three assists for 17 points in a 21-6 win over Brockport. Topichak earned third-team All-American honors that year followed by back-to-back second-team All-American awards in 1970-1971. After the 1971 season, he was one of two Statesmen selected to represent Hobart in the annual North-South Senior All-Star Game.
Along with the Topichak family, John’s teammates, friends, and SAA members joined to renovate the Hobart football and lacrosse locker rooms at Boswell Field. The John Topichak Memorial Team Room was dedicated on Oct. 6, 2001, and provides a first-class home for the Statesmen gridders and stickmen.
A native of Corning, John was serving as superintendent of the Weedsport (N.Y) Central School District. Respected and appreciated for his public service, John was president of the Weedsport Lions Club and vice president of the Weedsport Free Library Association.
Topichak was awaiting a liver transplant when he succumbed to an extended battle with a rare liver disease, on Dec. 1, 1999. He is survived by his wife, Christine, and their son, Nicholas.
