CLARKSON
ATHLETIC HALL of FAME
JOHN "Jocko" McLENNAN '68
CLASS of 2004 INDUCTEE
An all-star for the hockey team in the late 1960s, John “Jocko” McLennan carried over his accomplishments on the ice with the Golden Knights and the lessons he learned at Clarkson into the business world where he has become one of the University’s most successful alumni.
McLennan was recruited to Clarkson by head hockey coach Len Ceglarski from the Ottawa Junior League and developed into one of the Golden Knights’ all-time leading scorers averaging close to two points a game. Playing both wing positions, he compiled 134 points on 76 goals and 58 assists in 70 games and helped to lead the Green and Gold to a 54-18-2 record during his three-year career from 1965-68.
During his sophomore campaign of 1965-66, McLennan was the fourth-leading scorer on Clarkson’s squad which posted a 24-3 overall record and gained the league regular season title with an 11-1 mark. The Knights won the school’s first ever Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament Championship that winter with a 6-2 victory over Cornell as McLennan scored the first goal in the title game played at the old Boston Arena.
With McLennan continuing in top form, the Knights also came within one game of winning the 1966 NCAA Championship. He led the national tourney in scoring with one goal and four assists and was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team. McLennan scored the winning goal in the semifinals with less than four minutes left to lift Clarkson to a 4-3 victory over Denver, sending the Green and Gold to the championship tilt against Michigan State, where the Spartans prevailed 6-1.
Serving as an alternate captain in his senior season of 1967-68, he led Clarkson in scoring with 57 points, including a team-high 32 goals, and was named to the ECAC All-Star team.
McLennan has been leading teams, scoring big points, and generally applying himself ever since he left Clarkson with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Industrial Management, in 1968 and 1969, respectively.
“It hit me that you’ve really got to work hard and apply yourself to achieve your best,” stated McLennan in a Clarkson Alumni Magazine article. “Len Ceglarski, my 
hockey coach, really taught me the value of how hard work can really improve your luck! … You’ve got to commit yourself. The fundamental opportunity that Clarkson gave me was to develop my own potential through really applying myself … that holds true for both the academic side and the hockey side.”
Ascending through a variety of positions in high-tech manufacturing and telecommunications, McLennan has served in a number of high profile corporate positions, including President and Chief Executive Officer of Bell Canada, and is currently Vice Chairman and CEO of Allstream. A devoted family man, he created a company called Jenmark Consulting Inc. in September 1997 after his two children, Jennifer and Mark.
A native of Nova Scotia, McLennan’s extensive service to Clarkson includes president of the Clarkson Alumni Association in 1986-87, when the former Golden Knight hockey star was a leader in developing the concept of combining a student union and arena which led to the creation of Clarkson’s Cheel Campus Center. As a Clarkson trustee, he was a member of the Campus Life Committee for 10 years, serving as its vice chair from 1989 through 1993. McLennan’s effectiveness has been enhanced not only by his consummate corporate boardroom skills, but also by his irrepressible Cape Breton humor and charm.
In 1985, McLennan was awarded the Arnold H. Barben Award, which is presented to Clarkson hockey alumnni who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement, have contributed to the betterment of his community and have worked unselfishly for his alma mater. In 1993, McLennan earned the Clarkson University Alumni Association’s highest honor, the Golden Knight Award.
On May 18, 1997, McLennan received an honorary doctor of science degree at Clarkson’s 104th Commencement ceremony. The degree was conferred for “his compelling vision and leadership in advancing telecommunication technology on a global scale, for his extraordinary entrepreneurial and managerial acumen, and for his distinguished service to his alma mater.”
Steve Yianoukos accepts John McLennan's Athletic Hall of Fame plaque from Clarkson AD Sean T. Frazier
