FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Gregory Spicka, Director of Athletic Communications (610) 500-3632; gdspicka@widener.edu

RELEASE UPDATED: Monday, December 30, 2024 at 8:47 PM (Visitation/service information and donation link)
RELEASE UPDATED: Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at 11:22 AM (Second donation link)
RELEASE UPDATED: Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 3:00 PM (Obituary link added)
 
CHESTER, Pa. – Widener Athletics mourns the loss of retired Head Softball and Men's Soccer Coach and Director of Physical Education Fred Dohrmann.
 
Dohrmann, 68, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 29 after a long battle with glioblastoma cancer. 
 
"Widener is extremely fortunate to have been influenced by his dedication as an educator and mentor for his tenure," said Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation Jack Shafer. "We are so fortunate to have worked alongside Fred, learned from him, laughed with him, and been influenced by his outlook and friendship and I'm sure everyone can say the same."
 
Dohrmann quickly became a beloved member of the Widener community in 1980 with his contagious smile and positive attitude while also being known as one of the most personable and affable people on campus. Widener Softball alumni Ally Horvath noted "Fred is truly one of a kind and I know he has impacted so many lives." One could always find him stopping into colleagues' offices asking for the "good news."
 
Recently, Widener Athletics paid tribute to Dohrmann as the Widener Softball Field rightfully earned a new name. On April 9, 2024, Fred Dohrmann Field at Dougherty-Gillespie Park was born to celebrate his 41 years of success.
 
Dohrmann served as the softball head coach for 41 years and has been at Widener for 42. During his coaching career, Dohrmann amassed more than 650 career victories to be one of Widener's most winningest coaches in one sport in school history. In 2014, Dohrmann surpassed men's basketball coach C. Alan Rowe for most victories in school history for one sport. Dohrmann's 2017 season will remain one of the best seasons in softball history as the Pride went on to a 28-13 season record, won their first MAC Commonwealth Championship, and saw his 600^th career win. With the conference title, the Pride punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament and won a pair of games to finish fourth in the NFCA D3 poll. That season, the Pride saw five players to the All-Conference team including now assistant coach Katie Sterling and Ally Horvath. 
 
Some of Dohrmann's most notable seasons came in 2008 where they went on to win 30 games and in 2009 when they went secured a trip to the conference championship for the first time in program history. 
 
The softball field was not the only home for Dohrmann. He would serve as the Head Men's Soccer Coach from 1981 to 2003 where he holds Widener's all-time leader in wins with 164. 
 
In 1985, Dohrmann stepped into another role for Widener as the Director of Physical Education. Once his coaching tenure came to an end, he stayed at Widener as the Director of Physical Education where he took off his coaching hat and put on a professor hat. He would go on to teach thousands of students and share his knowledge with anyone who asked. During his time as a professor, Dohrmann would double the number of physical education courses offered at Widener. In 2022, Dohrmann was garnered with Widener's William David Eckard Jr. Award for Distinguished Service for his above and beyond commitment and outstanding service to the Widener community. 
 
A native of Philadelphia, Dohrmann earned his bachelor's degree in health, physical education and recreation from Pittsburgh in 1978 and attained his master's in physical education from West Chester in 1986. 
 
Dohrmann is survived by his wife June, daughter Andrea, son Michael, daughter in law Eleanna, and grandson Theo.
 
Widener Athletics and the Dohrmann family invite you to visit Fred at Immanuel Lutheran Church (501 Chester Pike, Norwood, Pa. 19074) on Thursday, Jan. 9 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Immediately following visitation a church service will take place beginning at 11:00 a.m.
 

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In leu of gifts, donations can be made to the following places below.

University of Pennsylvania Brain Tumor Lab Support Fund

Giving link, click here or with the link at the top of the release.
If an online donation is utilized via the link above, be sure to click "Special Reason." When donating please be sure to mention "In Honor of Fred Dohrmann for the BT Lab Support Fund."

Checks can be mailed to:

Penn Medicine Development
Attn: Sheryl Garton
3535 Market St., Ste. 750
Philadelphia, Pa. 19104
 
Check Payable:
Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania

Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry

Donation link, click here or with the link at the top of the release.