ARLINGTON, Texas (Oct. 26, 2026) – The UT Arlington Athletics Department is saddened to learn of the passing of beloved baseball alumnus, assistant coach, administrator and UT Arlington Athletics Hall of Honor member John Mocek. Mocek, known to nearly everyone as ‘Moe,’ spent nearly 50 years involved in UTA Athletics.
“There is no doubt that ‘Moe’ is one of the most adored and influential figures in UTA Athletics history,'” Director of Athletics Jon Fagg said. “From his time as a student-athlete to his long, successful career as a coach and administrator, he defined what it means to be a Maverick. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.”
Mocek first came to Arlington as a member of the UTA baseball team where he lettered four years (1974-77) as a first baseman and designated hitter. As a senior, he was named Honorable Mention All-Southland Conference. At the time of his graduation, the native of Chicago, Ill., held program records for most home runs and most RBI in a conference season, as well as RBI in a conference game.
Following his graduation in 1977, Mocek served as the UTA Athletics Business Manager from 1978-82. He then returned to the diamond for 14 seasons (1983-96), serving as an assistant coach and third base coach under fellow UTA Hall of Honor member Marvin “Butch” McBroom.
Mocek moved back into administration for the next two-plus decades, serving in nearly every possible capacity with UTA Athletics. He managed events and facilities, served as the ticket manager and promotions director, announced events via public address, radio and television, and oversaw operations. He even maintained fields, worked as an equipment manager and assisted with sports information duties.
Mocek climbed the administrative ranks to become the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Finance and Administration. Following his retirement in 2018, Mocek continued to serve as the department’s unofficial historian and archivist and was a mainstay in the broadcast booth for Maverick baseball on the radio and ESPN+.
During his time at the university, Mocek also served as a member of the university faculty, teaching advanced techniques of coaching baseball and the history and business of baseball in UTA’s Department of Kinesiology. He also served as an official scorer for Major League Baseball for 14 seasons with the Texas Rangers, scoring 387 total games.
Mocek was inducted into the UT Arlington Athletics Hall of Honor in 2022. In April of 2019, UTA Athletics unveiled the John & Pattye Mocek 3rd Base Patio at Clay Gould Ballpark. Mocek is one of three people in UTA baseball history who has donned the Maverick uniform more than 1,000 times, and the only one who played and coached
Mocek was born on Aug. 21, 1954. He is survived by his wife, Pattye, and children, John and Elizabeth.