Photo by: Jon Lambert
Bison Football Feature: Joe Lauro
10/11/2018 12:28:00 PM | Football
This feature story on Joe Lauro originally ran in the program for Bucknell's game against Colgate on Oct. 6, 2018.
Senior Joe Lauro is known for his hard-hitting play. And it even earned him a nickname as early as his freshman year at Bucknell.
"Coach [Eric] Wicks gave me the name 'Kamikaze,'" Lauro recalled, with a chuckle. "When I was a freshman, I'd run down on kickoffs, going all out, and just blow people up. He's been calling me that ever since, and it's kind of spread to the rest of the team as well."
After spending his freshman campaign on special teams, Lauro earned a starting spot at safety as a sophomore. And he's racked up tackles ever since; against Colgate on Oct. 6, he made the 200th tackle of his career, and he'll enter the Monmouth game with 201 (127 solo) in 33 career games.
"Joe's a ballistic hitter," said head coach Joe Susan. "He's a physical, aggressive player who is critical to our defense's success. He's played all three safety positions for us, and he's made an impact at all three." Â Â
Lauro made a big impact in the Bison's 19-16 win at Holy Cross on Sept. 29. Not only did he tie for the team lead with 11 tackles (seven solo), he also broke up two passes during the Crusaders' final drive of the game. He sealed the victory on a Holy Cross 4th and 10 by leveling wide receiver Richie DeNicola at midfield, knocking the ball away in the process.
"It meant a lot to come up big for the team," Lauro said. "Every player worked his hardest to get that win, and it means everything to have finished it off. I was just doing my job by playing the post and doing what my coaches and teammates expect of me. I couldn't ask for a better way to finish a game."
Lauro is currently second on the team with 52 tackles (31 solo), bolstered by making at least eight in each of the first five games. Despite having his 2016 and 2017 campaigns cut short by injury, he still finished among the Bison's top tacklers in each, at third (62) and fourth (58) respectively. When asked what has led to his success, he was quick to credit his teammates.
"It comes down to everyone doing their job," Lauro said. "Our defense is held to a high standard, and our mentality is to play fast and hard-headed. As long as everybody does their job, and I do mine, the hole is going to open up, and I'm going to make the tackle if they come to me. I also try to pursue to the ball. That's where you make plays that people sometimes can't."
Lauro is currently serving as captain with fellow seniors Pat Finn, Bryan Marine and Alex Pechin. He said that he wants to be a mentor for the younger players like 2015 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Clayton Ewell, Louis Taglianetti and Bret Berg were for him.
"When I was a freshman, we had great leaders in the secondary," Lauro said. "Players like Clay, Tag and Bret helped me understand the playbook so I could contribute right away. Going into my upperclassman years, I wanted to bring that to the freshmen. Freshmen might need to play right away, like I did, and it's important to get them in their playbook and watching film. It's even more important to lead by example. I try to keep pushing myself and pushing my teammates so we can be the best we can be."
Lauro has also inspired his teammates by battling back from a number of injuries over the course of his career. When asked what it means to be healthy for his senior year, Lauro said that he's grateful for the work of his doctors and trainers.
"My doctors and trainers did great getting me back," Lauro said. "I was very unsure about how I was going to perform in the heat of the moment during a game, but they got me ready. I have all my confidence back, and it means everything."
That's because football means everything to Lauro. Lauro's father, Tony, and brother, Anthony, played football at the University of Akron while a number of his uncles were high-school standouts. Lauro couldn't hide a smile when he reflected on how his mother, Tammy, used to run around and throw a football with him and Anthony when they were younger. Tony and Tammy went on to enroll their sons in Manatee High School, a football power in Bradenton, Fla., to set them up to be able to play at the collegiate level.Â
"We're a football family," Lauro said. "It's just part of who we are. I started playing football when I was five, and it's been a big part of my life ever since. I can't picture life without it, and I hope to keep playing for as long as I can."
And, for as long as he keeps playing, Lauro intends to live up to his nickname by being the hardest hitting player on the field.Â
Bison Bits with Joe Lauro
1) Favorite Sports Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2) Dream Vacation Spot: Italy
3) Hidden Talent: I'm pretty good at beach volleyball
4) Biggest Fear: Drowning
5) Three People You Would Invite to Dinner: Earl Thomas, Sean Taylor and Corey Taylor
Senior Joe Lauro is known for his hard-hitting play. And it even earned him a nickname as early as his freshman year at Bucknell.
"Coach [Eric] Wicks gave me the name 'Kamikaze,'" Lauro recalled, with a chuckle. "When I was a freshman, I'd run down on kickoffs, going all out, and just blow people up. He's been calling me that ever since, and it's kind of spread to the rest of the team as well."
After spending his freshman campaign on special teams, Lauro earned a starting spot at safety as a sophomore. And he's racked up tackles ever since; against Colgate on Oct. 6, he made the 200th tackle of his career, and he'll enter the Monmouth game with 201 (127 solo) in 33 career games.
"Joe's a ballistic hitter," said head coach Joe Susan. "He's a physical, aggressive player who is critical to our defense's success. He's played all three safety positions for us, and he's made an impact at all three." Â Â
Lauro made a big impact in the Bison's 19-16 win at Holy Cross on Sept. 29. Not only did he tie for the team lead with 11 tackles (seven solo), he also broke up two passes during the Crusaders' final drive of the game. He sealed the victory on a Holy Cross 4th and 10 by leveling wide receiver Richie DeNicola at midfield, knocking the ball away in the process.
"It meant a lot to come up big for the team," Lauro said. "Every player worked his hardest to get that win, and it means everything to have finished it off. I was just doing my job by playing the post and doing what my coaches and teammates expect of me. I couldn't ask for a better way to finish a game."
Lauro is currently second on the team with 52 tackles (31 solo), bolstered by making at least eight in each of the first five games. Despite having his 2016 and 2017 campaigns cut short by injury, he still finished among the Bison's top tacklers in each, at third (62) and fourth (58) respectively. When asked what has led to his success, he was quick to credit his teammates.
"It comes down to everyone doing their job," Lauro said. "Our defense is held to a high standard, and our mentality is to play fast and hard-headed. As long as everybody does their job, and I do mine, the hole is going to open up, and I'm going to make the tackle if they come to me. I also try to pursue to the ball. That's where you make plays that people sometimes can't."
Lauro is currently serving as captain with fellow seniors Pat Finn, Bryan Marine and Alex Pechin. He said that he wants to be a mentor for the younger players like 2015 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Clayton Ewell, Louis Taglianetti and Bret Berg were for him.
"When I was a freshman, we had great leaders in the secondary," Lauro said. "Players like Clay, Tag and Bret helped me understand the playbook so I could contribute right away. Going into my upperclassman years, I wanted to bring that to the freshmen. Freshmen might need to play right away, like I did, and it's important to get them in their playbook and watching film. It's even more important to lead by example. I try to keep pushing myself and pushing my teammates so we can be the best we can be."
Lauro has also inspired his teammates by battling back from a number of injuries over the course of his career. When asked what it means to be healthy for his senior year, Lauro said that he's grateful for the work of his doctors and trainers.
"My doctors and trainers did great getting me back," Lauro said. "I was very unsure about how I was going to perform in the heat of the moment during a game, but they got me ready. I have all my confidence back, and it means everything."
That's because football means everything to Lauro. Lauro's father, Tony, and brother, Anthony, played football at the University of Akron while a number of his uncles were high-school standouts. Lauro couldn't hide a smile when he reflected on how his mother, Tammy, used to run around and throw a football with him and Anthony when they were younger. Tony and Tammy went on to enroll their sons in Manatee High School, a football power in Bradenton, Fla., to set them up to be able to play at the collegiate level.Â
"We're a football family," Lauro said. "It's just part of who we are. I started playing football when I was five, and it's been a big part of my life ever since. I can't picture life without it, and I hope to keep playing for as long as I can."
And, for as long as he keeps playing, Lauro intends to live up to his nickname by being the hardest hitting player on the field.Â
Bison Bits with Joe Lauro
1) Favorite Sports Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2) Dream Vacation Spot: Italy
3) Hidden Talent: I'm pretty good at beach volleyball
4) Biggest Fear: Drowning
5) Three People You Would Invite to Dinner: Earl Thomas, Sean Taylor and Corey Taylor
Players Mentioned
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