Defender Mike Lochner is considered one of the best student-athletes to compete for Otterbein men’s soccer, becoming part of the best four-year run in program history with his teams compiling a record of 70-13-2. Lochner possessed a unique psychological desire to compete against others in becoming a four-year mainstay on the back line.

He was so physically strong that opposing attackers rarely found ways to get by him. This skill-set helped Otterbein capture three Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) championships in four years. Known for his massive throw-in, Lochner was selected all-conference each of his four seasons while also earning Academic All-OAC three times.

He served as team captain during the program’s best season in 2002, helping guide the team to a 23-3-1 overall record and a magical run to the national championship match, where the Cards narrowly fell, 1-0. Lochner was named OAC Defender of the Year, voted second-team All-American, and garnered his second-straight Academic All-America award for his performance as a business administration major. To finish things off, he was named the 2002 Academic All-America Player of the Year within the college division.

Lochner’s coaches immediately mention leadership as his single-most important attribute. He carried himself with great discipline and professionalism while at Otterbein, leading by example both on the pitch and in the classroom. He ended his career by receiving the OAC Clyde Lamb Award, presented to the top male and female senior student-athletes at each of the 10 conference institutions.

He now lives in Chicago and works as a director within the food and beverage division of Rehrig Pacific Company.