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Thank You, Don Bocchi

Thank You, Don BocchiThank You, Don Bocchi

By Randy Policar, Sun Devil Class of 2002

 

Talk to anyone who has spent time around the Arizona State Athletic Department over the last 35 years, and odds are good they will have a Don Bocchi story. It doesn’t matter if you were a coach, a student-athlete, office staff or even a student intern, more than likely you spent time with the man who is nearly as synonymous with Sun Devil athletics as Sparky himself. 

 “Coach Bocc” was a fixture in the Carson Student-Athlete Center, visiting offices on each and every floor to see if they needed anything that he could help provide, or to just stop and say hello. He remembered everyone’s name and hometown, be it a star quarterback or a student worker. More than anything, he was a Sun Devil fan who wanted to interact with other Sun Devil fans. 

This was especially true at ASU home events. No matter the sport, rest assured, Don Bocchi was usually in attendance, cheering on the Devils. And more than likely, following other Sun Devil teams on his phone. When the baseball team played at Packard Stadium, he would often shuttle between there and Farrington Stadium if the softball team had a home game at the same time. He would update fans in his section on the score from the other stadium, before switching again to make sure he didn’t miss the end at either stadium.

As a Senior Associate Athletic Director, he was the main administrator for many different sports, overseeing several coaching staffs that each presented unique responsibilities. But he never showed favoritism or acted as if one sport was more important than another. He treated every team the same. He also made sure he was in constant communication with each coach he oversaw, so they knew he was in their corner. 

“I didn’t care if it was baseball, women’s golf or tennis, they are all Sun Devils, and that was the most important thing,” Bocchi said.

For the majority of his adult life, he has worked tirelessly for the betterment of Sun Devil athletics. But after three and a half decades of serving Arizona State University, the time has come for Bocchi to pass the torch to the next generation of administrators. He decided that 2021 would be his final year, retiring with one of the most amazing careers that Arizona State University has ever seen.

He arrived in Tempe in as a member of Daryl Rogers’ coaching staff, coaching defensive backs for the football team. He would spend the next nine seasons on the sidelines for ASU, including the 1986 season that saw Arizona State win its first Pac-10 Conference Championship and defeat Michigan in the 1987 Rose Bowl. 

“That 1986 season had so many great moments. We had to go on the road to both USC and UCLA, and we won both of those games. I think that was when we really started to feel like we had something special brewing. Then to be able to coach in The Granddaddy of Them All, against an iconic program like Michigan, and to be able to leave the stadium as Rose Bowl Champions, it was one of the biggest thrills of my professional career.”

During his time on the coaching staff, Bocchi played a role in recruiting a number of student-athletes who would find great success in both college and professional football. These include Sun Devil greats like Darren Woodson, Phillipi Sparks, Nathan LaDuke, Brett Wallerstedt, Kevin Miniefield, Steve Bush and many others. 

“I’ve had the privilege to see some of the guys I recruited to ASU turn in some truly exceptional performances. In 1989, Ron Fair had a 19-catch game against Washington State to set a school record. During the 1992 season, Kevin Galbreath ran for 200 yards in a 20-0 win over UCLA in his first career start. A few weeks later, he scored the only touchdown in a 7-6 win over Arizona. Just to see those players find success, it was such a rewarding feeling.”

When ASU went through a coaching change following the 1991 season, Bocchi was asked to stay with the program to help recruiting efforts while the administration decided on the next head coach. That coach would end up being Bruce Snyder, who led the Sun Devils to an undefeated regular season in 1996 and a spot in the Rose Bowl. Three starters on that 1997 Rose Bowl team were recruited by Bocchi during the four weeks before Snyder was hired. 

Following the 1993 season, Bocchi decided to hang up his whistle and move into fundraising, in an effort to raise awareness of the importance the football team played in the collective success of Sun Devil Athletics. He was named the President of the Sun Angel Foundation, known today as the Sun Devil Club. Over his eight years in that role, the Sun Angel Foundation was successful in finding funding sources to help the football program and helped the Athletic Department eliminate a $1 million spending deficit. 

“College athletics was changing, and we needed to make sure we changed with the times. Being on the fundraising side of things after being a coach for so long, I think it helped me a lot. I knew exactly what was needed and what kinds of things we could do to make sure we were staying competitive with other programs across the country. Having been in the trenches as a coach, it gave me a unique perspective on what a successful program looks like and what it takes to get there.”

In 2001, then-Athletic Director Gene Smith asked Bocchi to become a member of his senior staff, moving him full-time into Sports Administration. For the next 20 years, Bocchi worked tirelessly to shape the future of Sun Devil Athletics and create a championship atmosphere for the coaches and student-athletes. 

His finger prints are all over many legacy projects that can be found around the athletic department, playing a significant role in the development of the Verde Dickey East Athletic Village, the Riches Wrestling Complex, the Spini Gymnastics Center and the naming of the Farrington Softball Complex. 

“I am very proud of the fact that during my time here, we have planted solid roots for our non-revenue sports that will allow them to thrive long into the future. We have created beautiful facilities that attract top student-athletes, and we have set our programs up for success.”

One of Bocchi’s many skills is his eye for coaching talent, honed during his years on the football staff. As an administrator, he played a large role in identifying and recruiting coaches to Arizona State that have found tremendous success in their roles. He had a hand in hiring three coaches who took their programs to the ultimate heights, an NCAA Championship. This list includes Clint Myers (Softball, 2008 and 2011 National Champs), Melissa Luellen (Women’s Golf, 2009 National Champs) and Missy Farr-Kaye (Women’s Golf, 2017 National Champs). He also had a hand in the hiring of current coaches Matt Thurmond (Men’s Golf), Matt Hill (Men’s Tennis), Trish Ford (Softball), Zeke Jones (Wrestling), Todd Clapper (Water Polo), Graham Winkworth (Women’s Soccer) and Tim McCormack (Women’s Lacrosse).

“Having been a coach, I feel a strong connection with every coach I interact with. I know what they go through and I know how hard of a job it is, so I want to make sure they know they always have my full support. I think the current coaches we have assembled at ASU are some of the finest in the nation and I can retire knowing that the department is set up very well for the future.”

One of his proudest success stories is the evolution of the Track and Field program into one of the finest in the nation. Working hand-in-hand with head coach Greg Kraft, internal staff support was created for investing in the program, resulting in additional funds for assistant coaches, a full-time athletic trainer and an increase in the recruiting budget. The investment paid off, as the program has won four team National Championships and seen 32 individual NCAA champions over the past two decades. 

“What Coach Kraft and his staff have done with the program is truly remarkable, and I am glad I could play a role in it. Being able to watch our women’s team win the national championship in Des Moines was one of the most exciting sporting events I have ever been a part of.”

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So as Bocchi wraps up his illustrious tenure with Arizona State, what are some of his favorite moments?

“Being in Philadelphia to see Anthony Robles win the NCAA Wrestling Championship, that certainly stands out for me. He is such an amazing young man with an incredible story, and to be able to witness him reach the pinnacle of his sport was really inspiring. He is a great ambassador for our University, and I am thankful I was able to be there to see him achieve his goal. I was also lucky enough to see Bubba Jenkins win the wrestling national championship in 2011. He transferred to ASU for his final season from Penn State, and he ended up pinning his former Nittany Lion teammate David Taylor, who was unbeaten going into that match.

“I was there both times our Women’s Golf team won their national titles (2009 and 2017). To see first hand not only the student-athletes, but the coaches I had helped bring to ASU in Melissa Luellen and Missy Farr-Kaye, hoist that trophy, it is certainly a memory I cherish. 

“I think watching how our Women’s Soccer program has grown, making the NCAA Tournament this season after beating Stanford, UCLA and USC, that has been fun to watch. Our Lacrosse program, under Tim McCormack, is on an upward trajectory and is already establishing itself as a winning program. That has been really special to see.

“This is more personal, but seeing my son Joel earn the right to wear a Sun Devil uniform as a member of our baseball program and earn his degree from Arizona State University, that was something that really means a lot to me.”

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As he begins his next chapter, you can rest assured that the fire and passion for ASU will still be a huge part of him. Although he may not be there in an official capacity any more, he will still be at numerous athletic events, cheering as loud as he can and helping the Sun Devils onward to victory. 

One of his lasting legacies is the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame. For years, Bocchi has led the nomination and induction process to honor the legends of Arizona State Athletics. Whoever inherits that task should have no trouble identifying the next Hall of Distinction candidate. Although he may not have attended Arizona State, you would be hard pressed to find anyone who has been more dedicated and committed to the University and its athletic programs as Don Bocchi. If ever there was a person who deserved to be honored as a first-ballot Sun Devil Hall of Famer, it is Coach Don Bocchi.

Randy Policar (Class of 2002) spent four years as a student worker in the Sun Devils Sports Information office while earning his degree in broadcasting. He worked three years as the PR Director for the Arizona Rattlers before returning to his alma mater in 2005 as a sports information director, where he worked with Volleyball, Baseball and Football. He is currently a Senior Communications Coordinator for HDR Engineering and hosts the Legends of Packard Podcast about the history of ASU Baseball.