Men's Soccer: Tocco inducted into NAIA Soccer Hall of Fame
Rockhurst men’s soccer coach Tony Tocco was formally inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Soccer Hall of Fame on Tuesday, Nov. 13, during the opening banquet of the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kan.
The honor is the highest bestowed by the NAIA. Individuals inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame must be persons of outstanding quality, high moral character, fine leadership ability and must be held in high esteem by their colleagues, former coaches and former athletes.
"Being part of the NAIA were some of the best years in my coaching career. I developed some great friendships in the NAIA that have stayed with me over the years," Tocco said. "To be part of the NAIA Hall of Fame along with some of the top people I’ve coached against is an honor and a privilege."
Tocco, who is in his 37th season at Rockhurst, ranks second among active intercollegiate coaches and
is third on the all-time coaching list with 550 wins.
Rockhurst was a perennial power in the NAIA from 1973 to 1997 under Tocco. The Hawks played in
17 national championship tournaments, advanced to the Final Four 10 times and finished national runner-up four times.
Tocco remains the winningest coach in NAIA history with 437 victories. He was a three-time NAIA National Coach of the Year. His teams won 20 or more games eight times, including his last four teams that competed in the NAIA. He had 24 players earn NAIA All-American honors.
His success has carried over to the NCAA where Tocco’s Hawks have advanced to the Division II national tournament on three occasions (2002, 2003 and 2005).
Tocco has received numerous honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), including NSCAA Midwest Region Coach of the Year on three accounts.
Known throughout the community as a role model, Tocco is considered one of the best classroom teachers at Rockhurst. Tocco, who is the head of the accounting department, maintains the proper balance between academics and athletics for his student-athletes and is recognized for his deep faith and unwavering commitment to his team.
Tocco is one of 11 members of the 2007-08 NAIA Hall of Fame class and the 10th men’s soccer coach
to join the NAIA Hall of Fame.
"The NAIA is proud to recognize an impressive Hall of Fame class. These individuals represent character-driven intercollegiate athletics and the proud tradition of the association," saidNAIA President and
CEO Jim Carr. "It is an honor to celebrate these admirable student-athletes, coaches and athletic administrators for their roles in sport. The NAIA looks forward to honoring each inductee at NAIA events throughout the year." |
