Off the Field with Thomas Ruocchio
1/17/2017 9:54:00 AM | Football
Name: Thomas Ruocchio
Nickname: Rock, my last name is pronounced Rocky-O so the nickname has kinda just followed me around my whole life. Also Coach Thunder calls me Rocco Da Don and I'm not sure of the reason behind it but I like it.
Five words (or phrases) to describe me: Friendly, Hard-Working, (sometimes) Funny, Faithful, Grateful
If a movie were made about me, I would want this actor to play me: A young Sylvester Stallone. It doesn't get much cooler than Rocky and Rambo. And since I'm Rock and he's Rocky it kind of fits.
What I like most about playing for the Wolfpack: I'm from the area and I used to come to a lot of games growing up and I always looked up to all the players and thought how cool it would be to be down on the field. So now being able to be in the spot of guys I used to look up to and actually be on the team and on the field is really surreal.
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a ______ when I grew up: Professional Baseball Player
Nobody knows how much I like to: Spend all day with my dog doing nothing
Why I came to NC State: I'm from the area so I've really grown up surrounded by all things NC State and been immersed in all the traditions and rivalries and have been going to games since I was little, so if just felt like home already and nothing else could really compare
Brothers and sisters: Sister named Lily, 15 years old
My most embarrassing moment: In 7th grade during a basketball game we were playing in a really small crowded gym. The game was pretty close so everyone was playing really hard and I threw a pass to one of my teammates but I missed him wide right by a lot and the ball hit someone's grandma right in the face and broke her glasses.
My greatest moment outside of sports: Being inducted into the National Honor Society
My favorite player when I was a kid: Brady Quinn
I'd like to switch places for a day with: Jimmy Buffet, he has the life I hope I can have one day. My goal in life is to get rich enough that I can retire early and live like Jimmy Buffet
If I had to give up all my possessions but one, I'd keep: My Dog
My best non-football talent: I'm pretty good at golf
The person who has influenced me the most in my life: My High School Coach Dr. Steven Wright, he really was more of a life coach than a football coach to me and all of my teammates. He was fair and believed in hard work coached the way coaching should be done. He also always kept Faith and Jesus as our main focus, we prayed everyday and did a team Bible study every Wednesday. So he instilled values and practices in me I will carry with me far beyond my days playing football.
An interesting story about me is: I was born almost legally blind in my left eye, and the doctors caught it early enough that I did stuff to strengthen it to the point I could wear glasses and contacts and see out of it well enough. But if thy hadn't caught it and just left it I would be legally blind in my left eye.
My favorite quote: "Anything in life worth doing is worth overdoing, moderation is for cowards" - Marcus Luttrell
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Nickname: Rock, my last name is pronounced Rocky-O so the nickname has kinda just followed me around my whole life. Also Coach Thunder calls me Rocco Da Don and I'm not sure of the reason behind it but I like it.
Five words (or phrases) to describe me: Friendly, Hard-Working, (sometimes) Funny, Faithful, Grateful
If a movie were made about me, I would want this actor to play me: A young Sylvester Stallone. It doesn't get much cooler than Rocky and Rambo. And since I'm Rock and he's Rocky it kind of fits.
What I like most about playing for the Wolfpack: I'm from the area and I used to come to a lot of games growing up and I always looked up to all the players and thought how cool it would be to be down on the field. So now being able to be in the spot of guys I used to look up to and actually be on the team and on the field is really surreal.
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a ______ when I grew up: Professional Baseball Player
Nobody knows how much I like to: Spend all day with my dog doing nothing
Why I came to NC State: I'm from the area so I've really grown up surrounded by all things NC State and been immersed in all the traditions and rivalries and have been going to games since I was little, so if just felt like home already and nothing else could really compare
Brothers and sisters: Sister named Lily, 15 years old
My most embarrassing moment: In 7th grade during a basketball game we were playing in a really small crowded gym. The game was pretty close so everyone was playing really hard and I threw a pass to one of my teammates but I missed him wide right by a lot and the ball hit someone's grandma right in the face and broke her glasses.
My greatest moment outside of sports: Being inducted into the National Honor Society
My favorite player when I was a kid: Brady Quinn
I'd like to switch places for a day with: Jimmy Buffet, he has the life I hope I can have one day. My goal in life is to get rich enough that I can retire early and live like Jimmy Buffet
If I had to give up all my possessions but one, I'd keep: My Dog
My best non-football talent: I'm pretty good at golf
The person who has influenced me the most in my life: My High School Coach Dr. Steven Wright, he really was more of a life coach than a football coach to me and all of my teammates. He was fair and believed in hard work coached the way coaching should be done. He also always kept Faith and Jesus as our main focus, we prayed everyday and did a team Bible study every Wednesday. So he instilled values and practices in me I will carry with me far beyond my days playing football.
An interesting story about me is: I was born almost legally blind in my left eye, and the doctors caught it early enough that I did stuff to strengthen it to the point I could wear glasses and contacts and see out of it well enough. But if thy hadn't caught it and just left it I would be legally blind in my left eye.
My favorite quote: "Anything in life worth doing is worth overdoing, moderation is for cowards" - Marcus Luttrell
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