It would be safe to say that New Orleans and Buckhannon, WV, do not share many similarities. The Big Easy is known for the French Quarter and the Mardi Gras, while Buckhannon is tucked away quaintly in the Appalachian Mountains.
Thanks to the efforts of one West Virginia Wesleyan alumnus, the NCAA Division II school’s soccer programs will have a Louisiana flavor this year. Former Bobcat star and professional soccer player Colin Rocke ’93 is helping his alma mater by sending Wesleyan men’s soccer coach Gavin Donaldson and women’s coach Glen Francis talented soccer players from the Big Easy. The two soccer teams will have on their respective rosters a total of nine players from the New Orleans area.
According to Rocke, his reasons are pretty simple for giving a helping hand to his former team – “Because I played for Wesleyan, and this is my way of giving back.”
“It does not surprise me that this was his first statement about why he helps Wesleyan,” remarked Donaldson. Donaldson coached Rocke for two years in 1991 and 1992. “He was a pleasure to coach and I think his current actions are a reflection of his time here.”
Rocke was easily one of the most gifted players to ever step foot on a soccer field at Wesleyan, being a starting mid-fielder on the 1989 and 1990 national championship teams and the 1992 national semifinals. He has a long list of awards that include being a three-time NSCAA/NAIA All-American, a member of the All-Region Team and a four-time selection to the All-West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team. Rocke was drafted professionally by the Dallas Sidekicks in the third round (17th selection overall) in the 1993 CISL College and Amateur Draft. A nine-year veteran of professional soccer, he won three championships while playing for Dallas, Las Vegas, and New Orleans.
Rocke currently coaches the U12Girls, U14Girls, and the U18Girls for Lafreniere Soccer Club in Louisiana and is the owner of Riverside Indoor Soccer Complex. The 33,000-square-foot complex is located in a renovated warehouse that boasts three fields. The Lafreniere Soccer Club has over 3,000 kids and the indoor facility attracts twice that many in a given year.
It is through coaching and the owning of the complex where Rocke keeps close tabs on the potential players to send north. “Football and baseball to some degree are still the primary sports in New Orleans,” stated Rocke. “But soccer is gaining a foothold in the area and becoming quite accepted by the local residents. I would guess that we probably have around 10,000 kids playing soccer in the city right now. I see so many quality players in this area. The Division I schools will recruit many of the best athletes, but there are still many talented players remaining. I encourage them to give Wesleyan serious consideration.”
He has sent three players from the New Orleans area that played for the Bobcats last year – George Rowley, Brandon Chagnard, and Jeremy Oats. Incoming freshmen joining their brethren will be Brandon Wilson (Trinidad), Anthony Peters, and Michael Struggs. Joining the Lady Bobcats will be Louisiana State Player of the Year Hannah Macormic along with Allana Torrey and Megan Zayas.
Rocke, who stays in constant contact with Donaldson and Francis, is returning to campus the second week of August to assist the Bobcats during their pre-season sessions. “I look forward to returning and helping anyway I can,” concluded Rocke. “I am excited to help this program return to where it was when I played. Hopefully more former players can be involved in helping reestablish Wesleyan as one of the finest soccer programs in the nation. I am sure many are still involved in the game and can help Wesleyan find outstanding players.”