2003 Profs Corner

 

 

Domenic Tomeo

Tony Racioppi

 

Rowanfootball.com caught up with All-American MLB Domenic Tomeo after the 2003 Aztec Bowl. Domenic established a new Aztec Bowl record with 12 tackles. Rowanfootball.com: Hi Domenic, How was the trip? Did you go with your family? Domenic: The trip was awesome. It was a great experience and I met a lot of people I never thought I would get along with. I think it is pretty cool how different people are on and off the field. I developed a lot of new friendships because of the Aztec Bowl. The only thing that did not feel right about the whole thing is that I went by myself. No family members came. It was the first time without them in a while. It was a for a good reason, my sister was having a baby girl. They really wanted to come, but family is much more important than a football game. Rowanfootball.com: How was the week of practice? Coaches? Other Players? Domenic: Coaching staff was o.k., they were all retired coaches. They were pretty laid back and cool. The coaches were happy to have me on the team because I am so outgoing and a loud mouth when it comes to football. It was just another game for me and so my leadership took over. I was yelling and making sure players were in the right spot so they could make the play. One coach really stood out for me. Coach Bill Manlove coached my dad at Gloucester High School and coached two of my brothers Damian and Ira at Delaware Valley College, and now he got a chance to coach a team I was on. He coached offensive line but it was stll cool. It was pretty neat talking to him because he remembers when I was a little kid going to my brothers' games at Del Val. The practices were not hard at all. The first two practices were physical but the rest were mental. They wanted to play me at strong safety but I did not want to. I told the coach to give me a chance a linebacker and he did, so on the first play the offense ran a lead right at me and I broke the fullbacks helmet [on the tackle]. Rowanfootball.com: Did the team gel pretty quickly? Domenic: Even though we lost the game, it was a great experence. I wish more Rowan players would get recognized by AFCA [for the Aztec Bowl]. I know the with talent we have, Rowan can play in this All-Star game. Given the situation, I know Rowan can beat the Mexican team. Without a doubt. I feel the team gelled really well together. While we were down in Cancun we did almost everything as a team. We would go out at night with each other, go to the beach or the pool with each other, and when we ate it was always together. I was very shocked on how well we clicked together on and off the field. Rowanfootball.com: What were the strengths of the USA team? Domenic: The strengths to the USA team on defense would be the linebackers, and on offense would be wide receivers and lineman. Rowanfootball.com: What were the strengths of the Mexican team? The Mexican team's strengths were their skill positions. Rowanfootball.com: Was there any dinner or get together with the two teams? Domenic: The only time we did anything with the other team was when we played them in the game. They did not like us one bit until they beat us. Rowanfootball.com: What was the actual game like? Too hot? Domenic: The game weather was perfect. Most of the game was at night. It was cool and breezy. The whole morning it rained so the field was very soft. When we played on it the day before it was harder then Rowan's practice field (if you know what I mean). The fans were awesome. The whole stadium would chant together non stop the whole game. It was amazing, I loved it. I wish I could play in that kind of atmospere around here. Rowanfootball.com: Are you planning on trying out for any of the Pro leagues, CFL, NFL Europe, NFL, Arena leagues? Domenic: As far as the try outs with the next level I am not sure. I have not heard from the [Rowan] coaches about anyone trying to contact me. I would love to play at the next level. That has been a life long dream of mine so if I get the chance I will take it. If I do not make it in any league I would love to start coaching right away. Rowanfootball.com: If you playing career ends, what is in store for your future? Domenic: I am hoping to graduate sometime in the near future. I have to take a few summer courses and everything should be on track. Next spring semester I am hoping to student teach in a high school setting. I am going to graduate with a major in Health and Exercise Science with a Secondary Education Teaching Cert., and a minor in Special Education. I talked to Coach Accorsi about coaching at Rowan next year with the linebackers, and if we have a J.V squad, help coach them. If I get an offer to coach a high school team around the area I will absolutely take it. I know a lot of coaches around this area and if they need my help I would love to give it to them. I am really exited to coach. I look up to all my coaches, especially Mark Hendricks, my linebacker coach. He has so much knowledge of the game and so much care and love for his players and the program. If i become half the coach he is today, I will feel happy with myself. He really opened my eyes to coaching and helping other athletes get the chance to perform on the football field like we did. I have been blessed with great coaches and a supportive family throughout my career. Without my coaches and family I would not be where I am today. So if any of my family and coaches read this, I would love to thank them for making me the best person and player that I could be.

Domenic Tomeo to Play in Aztec Bowl By Tom Wilson JT@rowanfootball.com Playing in the Aztec Bowl means that you are not competing for a National Championship anymore, however the game rewards the top seniors in the country with a game against solid Mexican competition. Due to snowstorms postponing the Lycoming vs. Bridgewater quarterfinal NCAA playoff game in Williamsport, Domenic Tomeo got the call Saturday morning from the AFCA. He will be heading off to Cancun. Tomeo is one of the best MLB's in DIII. His speed and versatility also helped him move up from an alternate. Tomeo can play fullback, safety, and special teams in addition to his signature MLB position. Good luck Domenic, and rep the Profs well. Make sure you give us an interview when you come back.

Rowanfootball.com caught up with Tony Racioppi who is playing professional football in Italy and preparing for the NFL Draft/minicamps. Rowanfootball.com: Hi Tony, what have you been doing since the 2002 football season ended? Tony: Hi Tom, thank you for the interest in my career. I have a tremendous amount of appreciation for rowanfootball.com and the following of our program. After the season I flew down to Atlanta to train for my NFL workout at Rowan. I was in Atlanta for 2 months training 4 hours a day with Chip Smith and Robby Stewart of Competative Edge Sports, working on speed and strength. It was a great experience. Casey Urlacher (brother of All-Pro Chicago Bears LB, Brian Urlacher) and myself were the only non-DI players attending. It was fun meeting guys from the likes of Florida State, Tennessee, Georgia, Michigan, and Notre Dame. I came back to New Jersey in the best shape of my life. My weight was 214 lbs. with 7% body fat. I then had my pro day at Rowan. We were expecting 12 teams to show, but the horrible weather prevented many of the scouts and coaches from attending. My agent video taped the workout. Statistically, I have the third fastest 40 time for the draft for quarterbacks at a 4.66. I had 33 inch verticle jump and threw the ball extremely well and with a lot of velocity. My arm strength was the one question mark the critics had on me. Hopefully, I've addressed that issue. Rowanfootball.com: I've heard that you are playing Pro football in Italy, how is that working out? Tony: I am currently playing for the Gallarate Frogs in the Golden League of the FIAF. It is the NFL of Italy so it has been a lot of fun with all of the attention we receive. I am starting, and trying to get used to huddling again! (Rowan currently runs a spread, no-huddle offense) I came over here to get the rust off before the draft and minicamps start. The salary is pretty good too. I plan on coming back after the draft to be in a NFL camp. Rowanfootball.com: Have you graduated from Rowan? Tony: If nothing works out with the NFL, I will finish the season in Italy. Then I'll come home and take the four classes I need to graduate while getting ready for the Arena 1 season next year. Rowanfootball.com: Thanks for taking some time out for rowanfootball.com. Tony: Thanks for the interest and stay in touch.