February Alumnus of the Month: Angelo Tocco

Angelo Tocco is our February Alumnus of the Month

When did you play?
I played undergrad for Michigan Rugby from 1973-1977, then at Central Michigan University from 1977-1981 while studying Optometry at Ferris State. I also played for Detroit RFC (DOGS) and Michigan RFC (Olde Blue) from 1981 until my rugby retirement in 2011.

What position did you play?
Mostly flanker. Right from the start of my career, I was mentored by the best… Tom Raboine.  We played together for most of my four years at Michigan.  We had this Yin & Yang thing going regarding the way flankers functioned in unison to cover any situation that may occur in a match.

What got you started?
I really wanted to play college football (somewhere, anywhere), but my dad said – NO!

I lived in Alice Lloyd dorm my freshman year and saw a practice on Palmer field.  Chris Penoyar (was a high school teammate of mine in football and track and field) was playing with Michigan RFC (he was a beast on the pitch!).

I was invited to join.   Right from the first practice and match, I knew that this was a sport that I was meant to play.

Special honors:
I was honored to be captain at UM in 1976 and 1977 (graduated in ’77).  While captain, we won the Stroh’s Great Lake Tournament in Detroit in the Fall of 1976, and lost in the Big Ten Tournament Finals (finished 2nd) in Spring 1977.

Favorite memories or teammates:
I played with so many really great rugby players.  When I began at Michigan in 1973, there were no restrictions regarding who could play (i.e. non students could play).  We had a majority of non-undergraduate players.  We had teachers and grad students and townies that had serious rugby experience and skills.

Some of my heroes in my time at Michigan were Tom Raboine, Walt Holloway, Clelan Child, Keith Stone, Rory O’Connor and Quent Lawson (Wow! these guys were all 5 to 10 years older than me).  

Some of my more contemporary teammates and good friends were Pete Maglocci (we started together in 1973), Jeff Smith, Greg Rose, Billy Chung, Mike and Al Markman and Dave Weber (unfortunately only got to play one season with Weber).  

One great memory was organizing an Olde Boys team for the Traverse City Cherry Pit summer tournament (circa 2011).  We won!  I had the opportunity to play with some younger UM rugby HOF’s, Jeff Hagan, David Perpich (scored my last try on a feed from Perp), Evan Pratt (Elmo), and the Zimmer brothers, Kevin and Brian.

Another favorite memory was any time we beat Detroit RFC.  There was some real bad blood between them and us. I also have a brother who captained MSU RFC.  He was 5 years younger than me and we never played with or against each other.  We still argue who was better (he was a flanker too). 

What have you been doing since Michigan Rugby?
I am still a practicing Optometrist, and have been since 1981. I married my college sweetheart and we have 3 kids, all of whom went to MSU (we still love them anyways). My two boys never played rugby, although I am sure they would have been great just like their old man. My daughter played and was a captain at MSU Women’s RFC.  At least one of them played. I now have 3 grandkids and I fully expect them to play rugby too, of course.

Congratulations to Angelo as our Alumnus of the Month for February 2021!