John Hetzendorf
Shocker Throws Coach
Wichita State University Track and Field
John Hetzendorf, known simply as “Dorf” to all who know and love him has been the heart of Shocker Throws for 25 years, transforming athletes not just into better throwers but into awesome people. Before coming to Shocker Nation, Hetzendorf graduated from Kent State University, where he was a two-time Division I All-American in the javelin. He competed professionally as a world-class athlete for several years and threw in multiple USA Track and Field Championship meets, Olympic Trials, and the 2005 World Championships. It was always a treat to watch Dorf compete!
From recruitment to one-on-one meetings to set goals and formulate personalized training plans, Dorf goes above and beyond for everyone around him. I met Dorf in 2001 when he recruited me to WSU. Unlike other coaches who just called, Dorf came to one of my high school basketball games and congratulated me afterward. His genuine care and dedication helped lead me and many others to make one of the most transformative decisions of our lives: becoming a Shocker. His dedication is unmatched, not just to the sport, but to the people in it. His compassion is woven into all he does. Watching him throw, coach, and connect with others shows how much he genuinely cares.
Dorf’s coaching style isn’t just about technique or distance; it’s about heart, grit, and learning to “trust the process” through our failures. He pours as much energy into others as they are willing to give and pushes each person to become their best self. One of Dorf’s greatest gifts is his ability to see potential in others. He believed in me and numerous others long before we believed in ourselves. His mentorship helped us chase goals and experience things we couldn’t have imagined possible. He’s not just a coach or coworker; he humbly uplifts, encourages, and empowers others. Years beyond anyone’s time on the runway or in the ring, Dorf checks in just to say hi, offers support during life’s challenges, and shares Shocker Track updates with his signature Dorf style.
Dorf is a guy who will do anything for anyone, whether he helps a friend move, spends countless hours coaching, offers a kind, listening ear, or makes the throws squad laugh hysterically as he rips up a heart-shaped Rice Crispy treat to lighten the mood when a team member is having bad luck with love. He’s always ready to share his legendary humor and positivity to make any bad day better. Beyond his selflessness, Dorf is very intelligent and humbly puts his biology degree to excellent use as a coach, seamlessly connecting concepts in weightlifting, nutrition, and injury prevention. If you didn’t know he studied biology, you may think he studied engineering or art. His freehand drawing of WuShock is one of the best I’ve ever seen, and he’s always ready to innovate and solve complex problems like inventing creative training tools so his athletes improve by gaining specific strength.
We are truly blessed to have Dorf as the face of Shocker Throws for all these years, coaching numerous student-athletes to conference titles, school records, All-America awards, NCAA Championships, Olympic Trials, and more. Here’s to many more years of you side sipping a Dr. Pepper while you build up and encourage young throwers as they develop into wonderful, passion-filled men and women. Like so many others, my life would be very different without Dorf’s influence. Thank you, Dorf, for being the best big brother, noble mentor, and a genuine friend!
Chandra Cralle
Proud WSU Track and Field Alum 2005 - 2007
WSU Admissions Regional Recruitment Manager- TX