John Mrazik is the first inductee to be recognized for dual contributions to the Bartlett High School athletic program – as a highly successful coach and as an outstanding football player.

In general, John played on Indian football teams from 1961 through 1964; has coached for 36 consecutive years, a school record; and served as athletic director for 3 years.

John recently completed his 17th season as the girl’s tennis team coach. The mentor has guided the teams through 16 winning seasons and post-season tournament appearances. His tennis teams collectively have tallied an overall mark of 250-61 for an 80% winning percentage. That winning percentage is the highest of any coach in school history. The 1995 District Championship team was the last to record an undefeated regular season at BHS in the 20th century and the 2006 team posted the school’s first undefeated regular season in the 21st century.

John served as defensive coordinator for five different head football coaches during a 26-year span. Bartlett’s defense was known for being well-prepared and hard-hitting units during John’s tenure. In 190, upon the dead of Coach Jim Healy, John Mrazik became interim head coach. In an inspirational Thanksgiving Day game, the Indians defeated archrival Southbridge, thereby ending Bartlett’s 10-year losing streak on the holiday.

As a football player, John was a three-year starter at center and middle linebacker for Bartlett. He was captain and voted the Team Most Valuable Player in his senior year. He continued his football career at Nichols College and Central Connecticut, playing center and linebacker for both schools.

John has retired as a teacher at Bartlett High although he continues as coach of the girls tennis team. He and his wife Suzanne live in Dudley and have two sons, Jeff, 28 and Joe, 26, and one daughter, Beth, 23.