Mark “Mookie” John named the new boys basketball coach at Geibel Catholic Junior-Senior High School

By Logan Johnson
The Catholic Accent
Communications Intern

CONNELLSVILLE – The Geibel Junior-Senior Catholic High School boys basketball team will welcome a new coach this year. Mark “Mookie” John, a third grade teacher at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School in Uniontown, felt in his heart he was called to be the next head coach for the Gators.

“I think it is the teachings of the Catholic Faith that called me to do this,” John remarked.

With a strong background in coaching basketball throughout Fayette County and at the collegiate level, John was head coach at Penn State Fayette for seven years, and as an assistant coach at Laurel Highlands High School for two years. He also served as an assistant under Phil Pergola at California Area High School.

With all of his previous experience, Coach John is no stranger to Geibel basketball, knowing many of the previous coaches at the school. “Coach Ken Misiak and Bob Fedorko were family friends, I played in the summer leagues they hosted,” said John. “They even attended my graduation party.”

The new coach hopes to lead the Gators to a section title while infusing the values of hard work, accountability, and teachings of the Catholic faith.

“If you want to be successful as a father, family man, businessman, or a man of God, you have to work hard and put everything you have in what you do,” said John.

Building a stronger connection with Geibel alumni is also a priority of Coach John.

“We want our Alumni to be proud of the product we put on the court and of their alma mater,” John said.

Geibel Catholic Principal Bob Fetter believes that Coach John will have a huge impact on the Geibel community.

“He is a good God -loving family man who I believe is going to teach our students to go from boys to men,” Fetter said. “On a personal level, I want them to finish the season with greater faith and a better work ethic.”