Sept. 21, 2012

TEMPE, Ariz. - Arizona State University Sr. Associate Athletic Director Don Bocchi will be a guest at the National Football Foundation Valley of the Sun Chapter Luncheon on Sept. 25 at Rudy's Bar-B-Que in Chandler.

The event will begin at 11:30 a.m., with the program set to start at noon. Rudy's Bar-B-Que is located on the north side of Chandler Boulevard, just east of I-10, exit 161. The cost for lunch is $20 per person and $15 for NFF members.

Along with Bocchi, Hamilton High School head coach Steve Belles, Chandler High School head coach Shaun Aguano and Scottsdale Community College head coach Doug Madoski are also guests. Former Notre Dame star and NFL Pro Bowler Bertrand Berry and The FAN AM 1060's Mike Grose will serve as emcees.

The format is Q and A, so fans are encouraged to interact with speakers, and there will also be door prizes and giveaways. Live streaming of the event will be provided by Delta Video Productions.

Future luncheon dates are Oct. 23, Nov. 13, Dec. 11 and Jan. 15. For information, call Bob Boyles (602) 345-1809 or email bboyles17@yahoo.com.

Bocchi's association with ASU began in 1985 when he began a nine-year stint as an assistant coach for Sun Devil football. He began by serving as ASU's recruiting director until 1988 when he became ASU's receivers coach, a role he remained in through the 1993 season. In those nine years Bocchi served under four ASU head coaches: Darryl Rogers, John Cooper, Larry Marmie and Bruce Snyder.

Bocchi's coaching career began as an assistant football and basketball coach at Blackhawk High School in his hometown of Beaver Falls, Pa. He moved into the college ranks in 1975 as a member of the Kansas State coaching staff. He spent one year as a graduate assistant for the Wildcats and two seasons as the team's recruiting coordinator. In 1978, Bocchi was named an assistant athletic director at Kansas State. In that position he handled certification of eligibility, compliance with NCAA regulations and academics for the Wildcats. He returned to the playing field from 1981 to 1984 as Kansas State's backfield coach.

Bocchi, was born Sept. 20, 1946 in Beaver Falls, Pa., and graduated from Beaver Falls High School, alma mater of legendary NFL quarterback Joe Namath. Bocchi played basketball at Adrian College in Michigan, but after suffering a serious knee injury in his second year, he transferred to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, where he graduated in 1968. In 1970, he earned a master's degree in education from the University of Wisconsin.

Bocchi and his wife, Eileen, have two sons, Matthew and Joel.