Dick Rockwell was more than just a baseball coach at Le Moyne College. He is considered a Le Moyne legend based on his contributions to the school and to NCAA college baseball. After playing pro baseball in the 1960s with the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies, Le Moyne College named Rockwell as its head baseball coach in 1968. Over the next three decades, Rockwell led the small Jesuit college to national prominence. The Dolphins qualified for the NCAA tournament 12 of their last 13 years at the Division II level.

Le Moyne’s success under Rockwell did not stop with its move to Division I in 1988. One of the program’s most memorable wins came in the NCAA Northeast Regional in Waterbury, Conn., in 1989. Le Moyne defeated national powers Arkansas and Arizona State and the Dolphins overcame a 14-0 deficit to defeat Pennsylvania 18–16 in 12 innings. Although they eventually lost in the finals to Arkansas, the Dolphins earned a place on the national baseball map.

Rockwell’s baseball work also included his stint as Chairman of the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee. “Rock”, as he is known, compiled a 757-309 career record before retiring from coaching 1996. He was named the athletic director in 1990, a position he held until he retired in 2009. Le Moyne named its baseball facility “Dick Rockwell Field” in honor of the winningest baseball coach in school history.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1959-1963: Catcher for Ithaca College baseball team

1962: Lead Ithaca College to a College World Series birth in Omaha

1963: Graduated from Ithaca College and signed with the Boston Red Sox

1964-1968: Traded to Philadelphia Phillies. Played four years in the minors, pro scout and minor league manager until 1968

1968: Named head baseball coach at Le Moyne College

1974: Runners-up in ECAC, Division II Tournament

1980: Won the ECAC championship

1988: Le Moyne College baseball moves to NCAA Division I

1990: Named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference North Coach of the Year (Also wins the award in 1992 and 1993)

1990: Named Le Moyne College athletic director

2002: Le Moyne College athletic director Dick Rockwell was honored by the city of Omaha with the keys to the city for his work as Chairman of the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee

Other achievements: Rockwell ranked fifth on the all-time NCAA Division I winningest active coaches' list before retiring and ranks in the top 35 in the country for career victories. He is the member of both Le Moyne College and Ithaca College Halls of Fame and a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association.