FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2013
Courtesy of Assumption Athletics Communications
WORCESTER, Mass. - Mike Rocco has been named as the Assumption College baseball head coach, as announced by Nick Smith, director of athletics. Rocco replaces George Reidy, who resigned following the 2013 season.
"I am very excited to welcome Mike to the Assumption College coaching staff," said Smith. "As we strive for excellence on the playing field, in the classroom and in the community, I believe that Mike's enthusiasm and passion for the game and the student-athletes will help us reach our goals. Mike brings experience as both a player and a head coach and I am pleased to have him joining our department."
Rocco comes to Assumption from Lesley University (Mass.), where he served as the program's head coach for three seasons from 2011 to 2013. Rocco guided the team to eight wins in his second season and was named the 2012 New England Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year.
The Lynx continued to improve this past season and set a single-season program record for victories as the team posted a 13-17 record, including a 6-7 mark at home.
In addition to his recent stint at Lesley, Rocco is also working as an assistant coach in the summer of 2013 with the Nashua Silver Knights of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL).
Prior to his three years at Lesley, Rocco served an assistant coach at Daniel Webster College (N.H.), where he served as the program's recruiting coordinator and also worked with the hitters and infielders. He also worked as an assistant coach with the Keene Swamp Bats of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) in the summer of 2008, helping guide the team to the Northern Division Finals while coaching two players who were chosen in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.
In addition to his coaching career, Rocco was a four-year starter for Bryant University as a first baseman. He completed his career as the program leader in games played at 204 and third in career hits with 221. In addition, he also holds the NCAA Division II career and single-season records for putouts.
As a freshman in 2004, he was named as the Northeast-10 Freshman of the Year as helped lead the Bulldogs to their first-ever Division II College World Series appearance. The following year, Rocco was a member of the Bryant University basketball team that advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship Game.
A native of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, Rocco began his coaching career with the Billerica American Legion program and also served as a coach on the Lowell American Legion staff for one season. In addition to his baseball experience, he also served as the head coach of the Daniel Webster cross country team, where he guided the Eagles to the 2008 NECC Championship. The team earned a berth in the NCAA Regionals and as a result, Rocco was named as the league's Coach of the Year.
Rocco earned his bachelor of science degree in communications from Bryant University in 2007, where he was also a history minor. He also holds a master's degree in athletic administration from Endicott College (Mass.), which he completed in 2013.
