Rocky Iannacone’s college decision was about more than him.
The Xaverian lineman is already giving back to young kids by coaching at the Warriors Football Club in Pelham Bay and wants to make a future of teaching phys ed and coaching football. Iannacone felt Wagner College gave him the best combination of high-level football and an excellent education to be prepared for his future.
“It’s an honor,” he said. “Not only will I get a great education at Wagner, but I can also follow my dream of playing football. Wagner is a wonderful choice I think.”
Iannacone signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the Northeast-10 school at Xaverian Friday. He will receive a partial athletic and academic scholarship and chose Wagner over Sacred Heart and Maritime. The Seahawks went 4-7 under head coach Walt Hameline last season.
“It’s going to a kid who couldn’t deserve it more,” Xaverian coach Joe DeSiena said.
The coach said Iannacone wanted to be a Football Championship Subdivision or Division II player no matter what the scholarship money. He heeded his coach’s advice of experiencing the program first hand by going to five spring practices. It left Iannacone leaving with a positive vibe. He is expected to play a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker spot.
“I just love the atmosphere at Wagner,” he said. “The coaches made me feel like I never left home.”
The 6-foot, 200-pound Iannacone will again be going to school away from home. The Bronx native used to wake up at 5 a.m. every morning to get to Xaverian on time for school and is looking forward to dorming. Iannacone was never about making excuses and saw his hard work turn himself into one of the CHSFL’s top lineman. He had 10 sack and was an All-City second team defense selection by The Post.
“Everyone is happy that it happened to a guy who is not only a talented player, but a guy who made himself a real successful varsity football player,” DeSiena said. “He plays a position where he routinely gives up 40, 50 pounds against the guy’s he playing against.”
Iannacone helped lead Xaverian to one of the best seasons in program history. The Clippers went 7-3 and earned a berth in the CHSFL Class AAA title game. He was a key cog on defense, one of the league’s best and tied for second in fewest points allowed. Iannacone’s most memorable moment was a 98-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in a 24-0 win over Iona Prep.
He brings great memories to Wagner, but said he is looking forward to the next chapter.
“My time at Xaverian was probably one of the best experiences of my life,” Iannacone said. … “Just to be representing Xaverian is another honor for me and the football program.”