Bucknell University Athletics
Michael Boccella Gains Unique Perspective in Italy
9/11/2006 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 11, 2006
By Damien Williams, Bucknell Athletic Communications
It's every football player's dream, walking down the tunnel out onto the football field to play in front of family and friends and to represent his school in a manner that is well appreciated. But sometimes, players can represent their school in a better way, an educational way. Senior Michael Boccella is a player who represents his team and school in both ways.
The 6-3, 266-pound lineman out of Dunmore, Pa., began his football career as a freshman playing what else, the offensive line for Dunmore High School.
"I was good at it," says Boccella. "My dad played in high school and I realized I was one of the biggest kids in the school. It opened up a lot of doors for me and it got me into Bucknell and ultimately will be the reason why I get a college degree from Bucknell."
The undersized lineman got his first high school start his junior year. A two-way player, he was part of the starting unit at both right tackle and defensive tackle. The next season he would move over to right tackle, a position he still plays, for good. Boccella's senior season was met with great rewards. He was named co-captain while being tabbed Times-Tribune all-region and earned the Hookey Reap Award, which is given to the top offensive lineman in Lackawanna County. Boccella's honors continued when he was cited as a Lackawanna Football Conference Division II all-star. Additionally he picked up the Ann DeSanto Award for dedication to the program and the Butch Conway Award as the team's best offensive lineman.
With all his hard work, Boccella would take his show on the road and enroll at Bucknell.
"It was the best combination of academics and athletics," recalls Boccella about Bucknell. "It was the highest level of football and it had a strong reputation for academics that would stand out on a resume."
The American history major would make the two-deep roster as a freshman, which was one of his top goals entering the year. As a sophomore, he would gain valuable experience at the offensive line spot, playing in 10 games and getting his first career start in the season opener against Villanova. Boccella's junior year was more satisfying. He would make eight starts on the offensive line before suffering an ankle injury. Despite the injury, Boccella checked another goal off his list when he was named to the ESPN The Magazine All-District team.
"It was great," replies Boccella about his academic honor. "It was a goal of mine since I was a freshman. It took a lot of hard work and I hope to repeat the honor again this season."
When the fall semester and football season were over, the right tackle had the unique opportunity to study abroad in Italy for four months. Having an Italian-American background, he thought that it would be a wonderful experience. Boccella took two history classes and a few classes about the Italian culture. An introductory-level Italian language class also helped his assimilation into the country while he resided in Trastevere, a small town near Rome. Boccella lived just minutes from the legendary Colosseum, the Pantheon, The Capitoline museum and the Roman Forum. Most of the friends he met in Italy came at the local gym. Because of the way Boccella worked out for football, the Italians were amazed at how strong he was, and they became very interested in American football.
"The gym was interesting," says Boccella. "All the weights were in kilograms. The equipment is all the same, but the mentality was different because of how the Italians work out."
Of course, in all of Europe, soccer, or fútbol, is the biggest sport, especially in Italy. With that in mind, Boccella became a big fan of Italy's soccer team, which recently won the 2006 World Cup in Germany. While Boccella embraced soccer, many of his new friends were interested in America.
"They get most of their information from movies and TV shows," recalls Boccella. "You can definitely see a huge American influence in Italy and throughout Europe. Many of our TV programs, movies, music and sports are very popular. It was a very eye-opening experience. We think that the American way is the only way, but there's actually more."
Listed second on the depth chart this week against Lafayette, Boccella returns to the Orange and Blue for his senior season as part of an experienced offensive line that he spends most of his time with.
"It's definitely one of the strengths of our team this season," Boccella says about the tight-knit group. "Not only have we played football together, but we are also good friends. We all go out together, eat together, hang out before and after practice together. It's like we are a family because we all look out for each other."
Most college athletes want to go out on top by winning a championship and that is what Boccella wants to do. He never won a ring in high school and during his sophomore campaign, the Bison fell just one win short.
"Whenever we are working hard, lifting and getting up early for morning workouts, we know it will be worth it if we get the ring," says Boccella.
After college, Boccella hopes to be a history teacher, but is debating about graduate school to pursue his educational administration degree which would help him become a high school principal. Of course, Boccella could also pursue a professional football career like former teammate Sean Conover, who recently joined the Tennessee Titans' practice squad.
"I don't think so," says Boccella with a smile on his face when asked about the prospects of continuing his football career at the pro level. "Maybe some coaching is in my future though."
