Bocci resigns as Butler High swimming coach
BUTLER TWP — Time and commitment.
They’re two things many people take for granted when it comes to a high school coach.
But Dave Bocci took them to heart. His dedication left a deep imprint on Butler High School swimming and, following his resignation last month, will be difficult to replace.
“My son, David, graduated (in 2021) and the swimmers I had coached at the club level over the last several years have all graduated,” Bocci said. “Being the head coach of a swimming team, really any varsity sport, is not a seasonal job anymore. It was 11 months out of the year for me. I was putting in 20 to 30 hours every week and much of that was volunteering.
“The time just seemed right for me to step down.”
Butler athletic director Bill Mylan said the district is currently accepting applications for the job and will begin the interview process in August.
“Dave was the face of the program,” Mylan said. “The time and commitment he had were second to none and I couldn’t be happier with what he was able to do here.”
Bocci, who grew up near Cleveland, had coached Butler’s swimmers for two seasons (1999-2001) before a seven-year stint as an assistant at Duquesne University.
In 2012, Butler was looking for someone to take over the program and Bocci found himself back in the high school ranks.
“When they brought me back for a second time, the athletic department wanted a more competitive program,” Bocci said. “At that point, it was simply about participation, which is important, but we were in the same section with North Allegheny and Seneca Valley, two of the best programs in the state. I wanted to change the culture here.”
Over the last 10 seasons, the number of Butler swimmers qualifying for WPIALs and the state meet increased...and their efforts there improved as well.
Laura Goettler, a 2020 graduate, David Bocci and recent graduate Ben Borvendeg each won multiple WPIAL crowns. Goettler (2) and Bocci also earned gold at the state meet.
But many other swimmers — Abbie Griffith, Sam Deemer, Joe Deemer, Alex Deemer, Jillian McElhaney and Tukker Uniatowski among them, each earned marked improvement during their careers.
In 2021, the boys team placed fourth out of 23 teams at the WPIAL event.
“Kids come in, set goals and then work toward reaching them and I wanted to facilitate that,” Dave Bocci said. “I loved going on that journey with them and it’s something I’ll miss.”
One of Dave Bocci’s favorite memories over the last decade involves Ryan Deemer, a 2014 graduate.
“He swam his freshman season, but didn’t come out as a sophomore, the year before I came back,” he said.
Motivated by Bocci’s return to the program, Deemer hit the water as a junior and senior, broke the school record in the 200-yard freestyle that had stood for 21 years and reached the state meet.
"He's worked awfully hard and has been instrumental in changing the direction of the program," Bocci said of Deemer at the time. "That can't be stated enough."
Bocci also relished the opportunity to mentor his son, David, who is now starring in the pool at Clarion University.
“He wasn’t always favored to do well, but he grew and worked hard,” he said. “Coaching him is one of my greatest joys.”
Swimming has been such a big part of his life and Dave Bocci isn’t ruling out being on deck in the near future.
“If they need a volunteer, I’d be willing to help out,” he said. “But that will be up to the new coach.”
Bocci and his wife, Amy, have a younger son, Andrew, a sophomore who is the top singles player for Butler’s boys tennis team. The family lives in Center Township.
