Wagner alumnus Steve Ciocci returned to Grymes Hill in the role of defensive line coach for the Seahawks in July, 2016 following a one-year stint on the Pace University football staff.
In 2017, he will serve as defensive line coach for his second year, having added the responsibilites as Wagner's recruiting coordinator,
During his time as an All-Northeast Conference (NEC) offensive lineman and offensive line assistant coach at Wagner, Ciocci certainly made a name for himself, on and off the playing field.
On the field, the 6-4, 290-pound right tackle started 25 consecutive games for the Seahawks to close out his career and earned his first All-NEC nod in 2012 by opening holes for All-NEC running back Dominique Williams and providing protection for All-NEC quarterback Nick Doscher.
Off the field, there has perhaps never been a Wagner student-athlete who made his presence felt, or leant himself to more charity and civic-minded causes in the local community, than Ciocci.
The Seahawks, who finished the 2012 season at 9-4 in a landmark campaign, claimed the school’s first NEC Football title, became the first NEC program to win an FCS playoff game, and ranked 21st in the nation in the final Sports Network FCS poll. At year's end, Ciocci was invited to participate in the FCS Senior Scout Bowl and Pro Grass International Scout Bowl.
“I’m thrilled to have Steve rejoin our staff here at his alma mater,” said Seahawk head coach Jason Houghtaling. “What better role model could we have here at Wagner than Steve? His accomplishments as a student-athlete and his zeal to serve the greater Wagner community with his many civic-minded initiatives are second to none.
“Steve knows first-hand how to represent himself as a Seahawk, the way we do things here, and I’m confident he will be a huge asset to our program as we move forward,” Houghtaling added.
In September, 2012, he was among an elite group of 22 players from throughout the country named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team for the many community service programs in which he participated in, including several that he initiated.
Along with his fellow Good Works Team members, Ciocci was honored at midfield during halftime of the 2013 Sugar Bowl game between Louisville and Florida at the Superdome.
In June, 2013, the NEC named the Royersford, PA native as the recipient of its Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Student-Athlete of the Year award. Each year, this award is bestowed upon an individual for his or her excellence in both the academic and athletic realms as well as leadership and contributions to one's community.
Ciocci, who served as Vice President of the Wagner SAAC, received the 2013 Wagner College Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Agent of Change Award for spearheading a host of community service events during the 2012-13 academic year. Most notably, he organized and procured transportation for over 100 student-athletes to participate in Hurricane Sandy relief efforts throughout Staten Island.
During his time on Grymes Hills, Ciocci also served as captain and chief fundraiser for the Wagner Bone Marrow Drive and Wagner Relay for Life events, and helped organize Operation Christmas Child, a group that buys Christmas gifts for those around the world who are less fortunate.
He functioned as the liaison between Wagner athletics and the pediatrics ward at the Staten Island University Hospital, organizing visits for various teams and raising funds for holiday gift giving. Additionally, Ciocci assisted the local Habitat for Humanity group on campus with fundraising and raising awareness.
In May, 2012, Ciocci graduated with a degree in Business Administration, before earning an MBA from Wagner the following year. He compiled a 3.53 grade point average as an undergraduate and maintained a 3.85 GPA in his graduate studies.
Ciocci was a three-time member of the NEC Academic Honor Roll, and in 2012 was named to the exclusive NEC Commissioner's Honor Roll (3.75 or better GPA). He was tabbed to the 2012 FCS Athletic Directors Association Academic All-Star team, one of just 54 players nationwide to earn the honor.
