Bochicchio Sports Character Initiative

Those who play youth and high school sports deserve to be taken seriously. 

Based at the University of Scranton, the Bochicchio Sports Character Initiative is managed by a group of educators, coaches, athletes, and athletic administrators from throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. These individuals volunteer their time to promote positive coaching in the local youth sports arena. The group dedicates itself to compiling and promoting the very best coaching principles and philosophies available. Affliated with such national organizations as the American Sports Education Program and the Positive Coaching Alliance, the Bochicchio Sports Character Initiative sponsors coaching workshops, facilitates dialogue, and works with high school, recreational, and youth sports programs to build enriching, effective, and rewarding athletic environments that maximize player development, honor the game, and treat the participants with respect.

The Bochicchio Sports Character Initiative Youth Soccer Coaching Workshop in honor of Joe Bochicchio. Among the many area soccer people in attendance as guests and instructors were (l to r) Jeff Bochicchio, Stephen Klingman (University of Scranton Associate Athletic Director and former U of S men's head soccer coach), Matt Pivirotto (University of Scranton men's head soccer coach),Sandy Bochicchio,Gus Esgro, Colleen Murphy (University of Scranton women's head soccer coach), Eilleen Sodano (North Pocono High School girls' assistant soccer coach), Steve Davis, Ph.D. (University of Scranton Associate Provost), Jack O' Malley, Ph.D. (Chair, Bochicchio Sports Character Initiative), and Chris Davis, Ph.D. (head soccer coach, Baptist Bible College women).

Former Duke basketball star and local sports legend Steve Vacendak (left) joined ESPN Executive VP John Walsh (right) and Scranton Times Sports columnist Donnie Collins (center) on a panel discussing "Youth Sports and Culture" during a two-day conference held at the University of Scranton in March, 2011.The event was co-sponsored by the Bochicchio Sports Character Initiative and Distirct 2 of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Assocaiton. 

COMMITTEE

Named in honor of former University of Scranton women's soccer coach Joe Bochicchio, our initiative seeks to foster throughout the Northeastern PA sports scene the same elements of class, enthusiasm, sensitivity, and good will displayed by Joe and his players during their two-decade run of championship soccer.

These components of character and sporting excellence brought the team and its winning coach national recognition in Division III athletics.  

STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chair: Jack O'Malley

Mike Ognosky

Toby Lovecchio

Michael Strong

David Black

Mark Kirsten

Tomm Evans

Stephen Klingman

Gary Wodder 

Debby Pepsin

Joe Repshis

Colleen Murphy

Phil Angeli

Ashley Teatum

Emma Black

Paul Coliaezzi

EMAIL: john.omalley@scranton.edu

Joe Bochicchiowas the Head Women's Soccer coach at the University of Scranton from 1984-2006  He was revered as a man who was able to combine the pursuit of sportsmanship and moral excellence with an incredible success on the field. For example, in 23 seasons of conference play, his teams put together an extraordinary record of 115-10-4 (.907). He coached many teams that were nationally ranked and nationally recognized, including three teams that he coached all the way to the quarterfinals of the NCAA national championships.Especially worth highlighting is the fact that his 1985 team was the only Division 3 team ranked in the Division 1 top ten that year.

A native of the Scranton area, Joe is a member of the University of Scranton Wall of Fame as well as the NEPA Chapter of the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame. He was a four-time Middle Atlantic/Freedom Conference Coach of the Year and, even more impressive, he was a four-time choice as NSCAA regional Coach of the Year.

Beyond all of this, Joe was loved and admired widely as one of the true gentlemen of the game. He always maintained a humble and reserved demeanor, in spite of his team's substantial success. He cared for his players, and he honored the game. In essence, one could say that he pursued excellence in every sense of the word.

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