By Don Seeley
Though the Seahawks’ mainstay at
right tackle, the 6-foot-4, 290-pound Spring-Ford graduate filled in at center
and guard this past season, and at all three positions throughout his career at
Wagner. He helped open holes for teammate Dominique Williams to become just the
third back in the program’s history to amass consecutive 1,000-yard seasons,
and helped give quarterback Nick Doscher enough time to become the program’s
all-time leading passer.
Ciocci, who started every one of
his final 25 games and 35 of the 43 he appeared in at Wagner, was a big part of
this past season’s drive to the school’s first Northeast Conference title. The
Seahawks also appeared in the Football Championship Series playoffs and opened
with a win over Colgate before falling to Eastern Washington and finishing 9-4
overall.
And even though Ciocci was named to
the All-NEC first team as an offensive lineman and played in last month’s third
annual FCS Senior Scout Bowl in Myrtle Beach, S.C., his greatest honor – on or
off the football field – was being selected to the Allstate American Football
Coaches Association’s Good Works Team and working with youngsters the past week
as part of the 79th annual Sugar Bowl festivities.
Ciocci was one of only 22 players
from school’s across the country to be named to the Good Works Team. One of
college football’s premier service honors, the Good Works Team endeavors to
shine a spotlight on the positive, off-the-field impact a select group of
student-athletes have on their communities.
“As fans of college football,
Allstate takes great pride in partnering with the AFCA to recognize these
dedicated student-athletes for their accomplishments off the field,” said Kathy
Mabe, president of Allstate’s West regions and a member of the 2012 Allstate
AFCA Good Works Team voting panel. “These players have demonstrated the unique
ability to balance academics with athletics while donating their limited free
time and energy to serve others. And we at Allstate commend them for their
commitment to volunteerism.”
The Allstate AFCA Good Works
Teams were established in 1992 by the College Football Association, recognizing
the extra efforts made by college football players and student support staff
off the field. AFCA became the governing body of the award in 1997 and
continues to honor college football players who go the extra mile for those in
need. Allstate partnered to present the award starting with the 2008
season.
Ciocci and the other 21 players brought
their passion for volunteerism to the Crescent City
Three other Pennsylvania
natives – including Ursinus senior wideout Tony Rosa (Philadelphia Temple
Each year, the Allstate AFCA Good
Works Team raises the bar for the impact that student-athletes can have on
their local communities. And, as AFCA Executive Director Grant Teaff explained,
this year’s roster is no exception. From creating mentorship programs for
at-risk youth to building homes and health clinics overseas, the 22 young men
have dedicated themselves to bettering the lives of others through countless
acts of service.
"The AFCA, its Board of
Trustees and members are honored to partner with Allstate in announcing another
great class of student-athletes for the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works
Team," Teaff said "These 22 student-athletes stand out from hundreds
of other college football players who volunteer their time each week to make an
impact on their teams and in their community."
Ciocci, who celebrated his 23rd
birthday just over a week ago, has actually been as busy off the football as he
has been on it since transferring from Temple
He earned his undergraduate
degree from Wagner in May of 2011, finishing with a 3.5 grade-point average in
business administration. He was named to the All-NEC Academic Honor Roll twice,
and is currently pursing his master’s degree.
But neither Ciocci’s admirable
work in the classroom or on the football field managed to overshadow his
efforts on the Wagner campus and in the Staten Island
community, where he led and participated in a number of charitable initiatives.
In April of 2011, he was one of an elite group of six people to receive an
award at Wagner’s Civic Engagement Recognition Day Ceremony, which recognizes
and honors exceptional individuals, departments and community partners who
exemplify a sense of caring and responsibility for others that connects
citizens and works to address community problems.
Throughout his career at Wagner,
Ciocci has devoted himself to raising the profile of numerous local and
national organizations within the campus and local community. He mobilized a
host of students to participate in such events as Relay for Life and Operation
Christmas Child, and he often visited children in the Pediatrics Ward at Staten Island University Hospital
Ciocci and the entire Allstate
AFCA Good Works Team sat in on Wednesday night’s Sugar Bowl, which featured Florida from the Southeast Conference and Louisville
* * *
Pinstripe Bowl: West Virginia
featured Terrell Chestnut
(Pottsgrove) as its starting free safety during a 38-14 loss to Syracuse West
Virginia secondary limited Syracuse
to just 142 yards passing, but the Orange
* * *
Widener placekicker Ryan O’Hara (Spring-Ford) and defensive
end Zach Chatman (Upper
Perkiomen ) are both expected to contend for starting positions
with the Pride next season. Both were on the sidelines last month when Widener
was whipped by No. 1 ranked and eventual Division III national champion Mt. Union, 72-17, during their quarterfinal game in Alliance , Ohio
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