Coach Tocco

This weekend our men's soccer team hosts the GLVC tournament, with the Hawks earning their spot as host based on a stellar record this season. In fact, they have lost only one game this year and won several conference awards.

Having a winning Hawks soccer team is not unusual -- hasn't been for nearly 40 years as Rockhurst has the winningnest active collegiate soccer coach in the county. That's right, no current coach has won more games -- 564 wins! His players call him coach, but I have known him for the past 14 years as Dr. Tocco, or just Tony.

You see as good a coach as he is, Dr. Tocco is a better Accounting professor, where I see his work most. I have had the privilege of working with him on courses (even though I only dabble in accounting) and co-authoring articles with him. As a colleague he is just about as reliable as running water.

I am quite glad to know and work with Dr. Tocco and often forget that he has this other life as a top-flight coach -- as durable as Bobby Bowden and Eddie Robinson. When in his office on 3rd floor Conway--where you will find him just about every day--you would never know he has even played a game. In fact, I have never heard him talk about one of those 564 wins; you just about have to pry it out of him.

This time I have no excuse to ignore his game -- it is right here at Rockhurst this weekend. Best of luck Coach Tocco!