Larocca named Golden Bears soccer interim head coach

Date: 1/15/2015

SPRINGFIELD – Western New England University director of athletics Dr. Mike Theulen recently appointed Tim Larocca ‘07 as the interim head coach of the Golden Bears men’s soccer team.

Larocca, who wrapped up his sixth season as an assistant coach at his alma mater in 2014, takes over for Erin Sullivan who accepted the Williams College men’s soccer position last month.

“We are pleased and very proud to have Tim on board. He has the utmost respect of all of our players and our entire staff,” Theulen said. “Tim has been an integral part of our soccer program and our Athletic Family for over a decade. A former standout student-athlete leader, Tim brings a wealth of experience, talent, and first-hand knowledge of the Western New England Way. Possessing incredible passion and work ethic, Tim will continue to be a tremendous role model for our soccer team.”

Larocca added, “I would like to thank coach Theulen, [Senior Associate Athletics Director] coach [Joe] Sassi, and the rest of the athletic administration for providing me the opportunity to help guide the men’s soccer program through this period of transition before a new head coach is named. I would also like to thank Coach Sullivan on behalf of our men’s soccer family for helping to re-create the tradition of success for our program and for his efforts over the past 15 seasons.

“The objectives we are looking to achieve during this period of transition would be to develop a plan, both individually and as a group, for our current players this off-season and to help solidify another outstanding group of incoming student-athletes. While there will be challenges aplenty, members of the men’s soccer program are no strangers to adversity and we plan to accept and overcome any of the inevitable obstacles. As a former student-athlete at Western New England, I couldn’t be happier and more excited for the men’s soccer program. The rich history and tradition that has been created by players past and present is unmistakable, and we intend to continue to uphold the principles of this program and our institution,” said Larocca, who takes over for his mentor in Sullivan.

One of the top players in Western New England men’s soccer history, Larocca earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing in 2007. The East Longmeadow native was a four-year starter, two-time captain, and the first Golden Bears’ NCAA All-American by the National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America. He also is the program’s first-ever three-time NSCAA All-New England selection.

Larocca led the 2005 and 2006 teams to back-to-back NCAA Sweet 16 appearances and compiled a cumulative record of 60-23-7 for a .600 winning percentage during his four years. He netted 11 goals and 19 assists for 41 total points in his 88-game career from 2003 to 2006. His best season came in 2005 when compiled seven goals and a team-best eight assists for a second-team-leading 22 points as a junior to help WNE to a school-record 21 wins (against three losses) and a sweep of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) regular-season and tournament titles.

Larocca joined the Utica College men’s soccer staff from 2007-08, and helped lead the Pioneers to their winningest season in program history and an Eastern College Athletic Conference Upstate Championship Tournament berth in 2007. He received a master’s degree from the College in education, leadership and instruction for inclusive classrooms in 2009.

Larocca played one season of professional soccer for the Western Mass Pioneers in 2008, and served as an assistant coach for the Pioneers in 2011. He has extensive coaching experience at the club level, serving as the boys’ director for the FC Stars of Massachusetts West region. He also worked as the director of coaching at SoccerPlus FC and as a staff coach with the Oakwood Soccer Club in Glastonbury, CT. Larocca has obtained the USSF “A” coaching license and the NSCAA Advanced National Diploma.

“We are excited to begin a new era in Western New England University men’s soccer,” Larocca concluded. “I am equally excited for our current group of players, especially for our rising seniors, as they set their focus this off-season towards competing for an opportunity to challenge for the 2015 [Commonwealth Coast Conference] crown.”