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First Posted: 12/10/2013 Robert Sochovka, 48, had an accomplished career as a split end at Susquehanna University in the 1980&#8217;s. The Clarks Summit resident was recognized for his exploits on the gridiron during an October Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
In 2001, Sochovka was also chosen as one of the top 100 football players in Susquehanna University history. For his career, he totaled 1,518 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns and 78 receptions and received All-Conference honors his junior and senior seasons. Sochovka broke the all-time receiving yardage record and remains eighth in program history.
&#8220;Last spring, when I found out (about the Hall of Fame), it was shock and awe,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I was giddy and happy all at the same time. Most players are recognized about five years after their careers are over. I was out of college for 26 years. I think it&#8217;s a little more rewarding if you are out longer. You appreciate and realize how special a time it was.&#8221;
While being honored to have been selected, Sochovka gave credit to his teammates for his stellar play.
&#8220;It&#8217;s hard to accept such an individual award when playing such a team sport as football,&#8221; Sochovka said. &#8220;It took three quarterbacks throwing the ball, the offensive linemen blocking down field, and the defense getting the other offense off the field so we could make plays. Everyone involved with the team played a part in my accomplishments.&#8221;
Sochovka lists his best memories from his college career as winning two MAC championships and advancing to the quarterfinals of the Division 3 NCAA playoffs during his senior season.
According to Sochovka, after a sub-par junior season, the team underwent many changes and were not regarded highly by other members of the conference in 1987.
&#8220;We started 0-7 our junior year, before we put together three wins at the end of the season,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Coming into our senior year, the coach made 17 position changes. There were a lot of questions about how well we would do. A lot of players were uncomfortable, at first, in their new positions, but it just seemed to click. We got some big wins and got a roll going.&#8221;
He recalls one game, specifically, that stands out from the season: a comeback win against seventh-ranked and rival, Lycoming College. Trailing, 44-22 in the fourth quarter, the team capped the victory with a 40-yard touchdown catch from Sochovka with no time left on the clock.
The contest was ranked 37th out of the top 116 college football finishes since 1970 by a faculty member from the University of Notre Dame in the book, &#8220;Heart Stoppers and Hail Marys.&#8221;
&#8220;For a small school, it was pretty special to be recognized by Notre Dame in a book,&#8221; he said.
According to Sochovka, several members of the team reunite at least once a year.
&#8220;A handful of alumni and our coach plan a golf outing each year,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Social media has made it a lot easier to communicate.&#8221;
Sochovka, a professional geologist, is currently employed as a client manager at Cornerstone Environmental Group, based out of Middletown, N.Y.
Sochovka and his wife, Wendy, have three children: Justin, 22, Brandon,19, and Corey,16. They have all been associated with the Abington Heights football program.
A 1983 graduate of Riverside University, Sochovka moved to Clarks Summit with his family in 1988.
Sochovka helped coach the Abington Junior Comets while his sons were in the program and currently serves on the Abington Heights High School Football Boosters.

Sochovka savors the memories