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Paul Rocchio's name was originally spelled incorrectly in this story
Men's lacrosse coach Paul Rocchio made it clear to his 40 players that drastic changes were going to be made to the team in his first year as head coach.
The players sat on the bleachers of University Stadium, attentive and organized, giving the sense of team discipline that Rocchio will try to achieve this year.
"The biggest thing that is going to change is our conduct on and off the field," Rocchio said. "I've heard that the club has been referred to as a 'drinking club.' All that stuff is done now."
Administration and players agreed that it was time for a change after three-year head coach Rob Warner resigned because of personal reasons. After an extensive selection process, Rocchio was selected as the coach out of more than 10 applicants from around the country.
Eric McVey, club president and senior defenseman, was one of three players who took part in the selection committee.
"We knew he was going to bring structure and discipline," McVey said. "It was a team decision to bring him in."
Among other changes, Rocchio showed a desire to play against elite competition by scheduling five games with top 10 teams in the West Coast Lacrosse League.
"We'll play very disciplined and see what happens," Rocchio said. "We want to scare them a little."
In past years, the team has shown mediocre records, which was highlighted by a selection into the U.S. Lacrosse Intercollegiate Associates national championship tournament in 2003, where the team was knocked out in the first round by Texas A&M.
For the lacrosse team to become a more dominant force on the playing field, it's going to have to put in the extra effort, Rocchio said.
The team may lose some players because of the elevated standards that Rocchio is putting in place. Getting rid of less serious players and attracting better ones will be good for the team, McVey said.
"No one wants to go only 5-6," he said. "We'll see who wants to really win."
Leading by example, McVey and other club officers went to find those dedicated players by setting up an on-campus booth during the first week of school.
"Since we have a new coach, we wanted to help get the word out there," McVey said.
The lacrosse booth buzzed all week with curious recruits, returning players and rumors of the sore muscles that Rocchio's workouts would bring when practices started the first week of September.
The team will have its first chance to prove itself against University of Nevada, Reno, in Chico on Sept. 30.
Though there will be some games in the fall, the real challenge will begin in the spring, when the team faces the brunt of its competition.
Bob Main can be reached at
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