Wayne Roccia was named the interim athletic director at Seneca Valley High School Monday after decades as a teacher and track and field coach. He's pictured here receiving a plaque after a concession stand was named “The Roccia Shed” in his honor.

JACKSON TWP — The phone call caught Wayne Roccia by surprise.

That's not an easy thing to do. After nearly four decades as a part of the Seneca Valley School District, little can render the former elementary school teacher and head high school track and field coach flabbergasted.

But this did.

The call, which came on June 15, was from Seneca Valley Superintendent Tracy Vitale and the question was a simple one: would Roccia like to be the school's interim athletic director?

“I told Dr. Vitale I would think about it over the weekend,” Roccia said. “I called her back on Monday and said I would do it.”

Seneca Valley needed an interim athletic director to fill in the gap between Greg Caprara, whose contract as athletic director is expiring June 29 and will not be renewed, and his permanent replacement.

Roccia, who retired as the head track and field coach and a teacher in 2007, said he will begin Monday and work through the month of July or until a permanent AD is hired.

“They asked me as a favor to the school district,” Roccia said. “I've always stayed active. I've been a substitute teacher and a volunteer assistant for (Seneca Valley head boys and girls track and field coach) Ray Peaco. My kids graduated from here. I owe a lot to this district and I feel honored they thought enough of me to ask me to do this.”

Roccia, 62, was a sixth-grade teacher for 35 years.

Because of his familiarity with the school, he said the transition should be smooth.

“I know most of the coaches,” Roccia said. “It will work out fine.

“There are things that still take place in the summer,” Roccia added. “Purchase orders, equipment is coming in, scheduling problems. They need someone to handle that and I am happy to do it. I told them I would do the best that I can.”