If you were to ask anyone who ever played soccer with or against John Mazzola what his best attribute was, you'd probably hear remarks like: "he played with a lot of heart" or "he worked hard all of the time" or "he was dominant in the air" or "he had great vision." But the one remark that probably best sums up John Mazzola as a soccer player is one made by former teammate Bruce Erickson, who said: "John is the epitome of tenacious on the field."

It was at the exact time that Mazzola first put on a Viterbo soccer uniform that the V-Hawks started having great success. In his four years at Viterbo College, the V-Hawks amassed a record of 53-20-6 and accomplished what no other team had done before; win the NAIA District 14 championship.

While the team enjoyed great success from 1986-89 with Mazzola in the starting lineup, the defender from Peoria, Ill., enjoyed personal success as well.

In 1986 and 1987, Mazzola received 2nd Team All-Conference honors. In the 1988 NAIA District 14 championship year, Mazzola received All-District honors, as well as Northwestern All-Tournament honors.

He finished his career at Viterbo on a high note, earning NAIA All-District honors his senior year (1989).