Wrestling Cage Officially Dedicated to Freddie Bocock '50
The Bocock Wrestling Cage was officially dedicated on January 31 to recognize one of Episcopal's finest ambassadors.
On Tuesday, January 31, the EHS wrestling cage was named in memory of Frederic Scott Bocock ’50. Family, friends, alumni, and wrestling teammates from the Classes of 1949-2011 returned to campus to celebrate the occasion by watching the Episcopal vs. Woodberry wrestling match. More than 80 members of the extended school community were on hand for the event.
The ceremony began with remarks by Charley Stillwell, Head of School; Jack Bocock ’82, son of Freddie Bocock; and a dedicatory prayer by Rev. Betsy Gonzalez. Guests were then invited to watch the EHS vs. WFS wrestling match.
After a tough loss to WFS, the wrestling team joined invited guests for a dinner in Bryan Library, where speakers included Steve Castle, head wrestling coach; and Alexander Block ’17, wrestling captain. Guests shared stories of their experiences on the wrestling team and the impact that Freddie Bocock had on the wrestling program at EHS. He was a member of the school's first-ever team, as the program began in the 1949-50 school year when Bocock was a senior.
“Freddie Bocock was just such a compelling ambassador for Episcopal, it only makes sense to see his name on this space that meant so much to him,” said Rick Wilcox, Director of Alumni and Parent Programs. “He was such a charismatic figure that he was an ambassador for many things he cared about deeply, including EHS, the sport of wrestling, and the city of Richmond among others.”
Freddie Bocock was from Richmond, Va., where he and his wife Berta lived and raised their four children: Alex, Jack, Natalie and Marianne. Sons Alex ’86 and Jack ’82 both attended Episcopal High School. Freddie’s wife Berta served on the Board of Trustees from 1984-1990 and again from 1993-1999. She received the Distinguished Service Award in 1990. At EHS, Freddie was a Monitor and a member of the Blackford Literary and Missionary societies. He played tennis and was alternate captain for the wrestling team.
Freddie’s life was remarkable, especially because of the quiet and unassuming way in which he lived. Freddie was president of the Richmond Memorial Hospital Board; a founding member and past president of the Board of Trustees of the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation; and president of the Men's Advisory Board of the Virginia Home. He also served on the boards for the Instructive Visiting Nurses' Association, St. Catherine's School, Historic Richmond Foundation, Friends of the Richmond Public Library, Sheltering Arms Hospital, and the Hand Workshop. People have described Freddie as a “community jewel, a community gem, a steward of a legacy of caring and a cherished member of the Episcopal community.”
“May the coaches who coach here, through their guidance, continue to build bridges between this sport and how their students live their lives,” Head Chaplain Betsy Gonzales said in her prayer of dedication. “May the students who wrestle here in their quest for the top, always cherish that the base of their skills was built on the sturdy foundation of hours spent here.”
For a complete collection of photos from the dedication, view below or visit our Flickr site.
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The ceremony began with remarks by Charley Stillwell, Head of School; Jack Bocock ’82, son of Freddie Bocock; and a dedicatory prayer by Rev. Betsy Gonzalez. Guests were then invited to watch the EHS vs. WFS wrestling match.
After a tough loss to WFS, the wrestling team joined invited guests for a dinner in Bryan Library, where speakers included Steve Castle, head wrestling coach; and Alexander Block ’17, wrestling captain. Guests shared stories of their experiences on the wrestling team and the impact that Freddie Bocock had on the wrestling program at EHS. He was a member of the school's first-ever team, as the program began in the 1949-50 school year when Bocock was a senior.
“Freddie Bocock was just such a compelling ambassador for Episcopal, it only makes sense to see his name on this space that meant so much to him,” said Rick Wilcox, Director of Alumni and Parent Programs. “He was such a charismatic figure that he was an ambassador for many things he cared about deeply, including EHS, the sport of wrestling, and the city of Richmond among others.”
Freddie Bocock was from Richmond, Va., where he and his wife Berta lived and raised their four children: Alex, Jack, Natalie and Marianne. Sons Alex ’86 and Jack ’82 both attended Episcopal High School. Freddie’s wife Berta served on the Board of Trustees from 1984-1990 and again from 1993-1999. She received the Distinguished Service Award in 1990. At EHS, Freddie was a Monitor and a member of the Blackford Literary and Missionary societies. He played tennis and was alternate captain for the wrestling team.
Freddie’s life was remarkable, especially because of the quiet and unassuming way in which he lived. Freddie was president of the Richmond Memorial Hospital Board; a founding member and past president of the Board of Trustees of the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation; and president of the Men's Advisory Board of the Virginia Home. He also served on the boards for the Instructive Visiting Nurses' Association, St. Catherine's School, Historic Richmond Foundation, Friends of the Richmond Public Library, Sheltering Arms Hospital, and the Hand Workshop. People have described Freddie as a “community jewel, a community gem, a steward of a legacy of caring and a cherished member of the Episcopal community.”
“May the coaches who coach here, through their guidance, continue to build bridges between this sport and how their students live their lives,” Head Chaplain Betsy Gonzales said in her prayer of dedication. “May the students who wrestle here in their quest for the top, always cherish that the base of their skills was built on the sturdy foundation of hours spent here.”
For a complete collection of photos from the dedication, view below or visit our Flickr site.
