University of Vermont Athletics

John D. "Jack" Semler 1968 - Hockey, Soccer

A 1982 Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, Jack Semler was one of UVM's top student-athletes in the 60s excelling in soccer and hockey. After graduation, he began a college hockey coaching career and was the head coach at both Princeton and Maine.

One of the top hockey players ever to don the Green and Gold, Semler captained the squad as a senior in 1967-68. He averaged 1.5 points per game in his three-year varsity career. "Dedication, desire, hustle and ability" all apply to Semler, according to UVM head hockey coach Jim Cross, who coached Semler. He twice led the Catamounts in goals, with 17 in 1966-67, and had 21 in 1967-68 to equal linemate and fellow Hall of Famer Lee Roy's record set in 1965-66. Against Salem State in 1968, Semler tallied four times, setting a UVM record, which stood for 10 years, and scored two goals in 20 seconds, establishing another mark.

On the soccer field, Semler was a solid two-way halfback who led the Catamounts to three consecutive Yankee Conference championships, in 1965, 1966 and 1967. In this span UVM compiled a 23-6-0 record. He tallied 13 goals and had 11 assists in his three seasons graduating as the school's all-time leader in assists.

After four years as the head ice hockey coach at Princeton, Semler in 1977-78 led his Maine hockey team to a winning record in its first year of competition, just missing the ECAC Division II playoffs on the last day of the season. Maine entered Division I the next year, and, as in 1978, missed the playoffs on the last day. In 1980, the efforts of Semler and his Black Bears were rewarded, as the team finished sixth in Division I and Semler was named New England Division I Coach of the Year.