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Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Role Modeling With Sam McCoy and Greg Aloia
11/29/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 29, 2001
Oct. 20, 2001 - In the realm of college football, Florida Atlantic University has just begun. This week, much like in their first five games, the fledgling Owls will meet with tradition.
Two individuals who will play a role in the contest are Dr. Gregory Aloia, FAU's newly hired Dean of Education, and Sam McCoy, a sophomore defensive lineman and an education major.
The tale of this story begins more than 80 years ago as St. Mary's College saw the Gaels reach national prominence under the direction of Slip Madigan. Head Coach Madigan had played for famed Notre Dame and was the center for George Gip, later known as the player Knute Rockne asked his players to win a game for: "Win one for the Gipper!" St. Mary's allowed just one touchdown during the 1929 season and was the only team to defeat the 1931 National Champion. In 1937 the team won the Cotton Bowl. However, Like many other private institutions, the college fell on hard times and dropped football in 1950.
Greg Aloia arrived as an undergraduate student on St. Mary's campus in 1966, and quickly began the push to revive the once-storied gridiron program. He gathered students for a march on the President's lawn and spearheaded a drive that raised $77,000 by the students through babysitting, mowing lawns and washing cars for a team that would begin in 1967, at the club level, and was playing on national TV within three seasons.
Dr. Aloia has made several stops along his way to FAU, where he was named Dean of Education four months ago, but none have excluded collegiate athletics. The former collegiate linebacker and guard transformed his ability to take charge of the defensive unit and his ability to guard the offensive specialist into a career role that allows him to serve as an educational leader in the Boca Raton community and as a role model at each FAU home game, where he serves as host to approximately 60 elementary students located in the west end zone of Pro Player Stadium.
So it was only a matter of time before Dr. Aloia's path crossed with Sam McCoy, an education major who dreams of becoming a fire fighter and a substitute teacher.
McCoy came to FAU by way of Methodist College, a place he enjoyed . His father, Sam, was diagnosed with cancer of the larnyx. Mr. McCoy, 68, has raised his family and had supported his wife's efforts as a foster mother. Following a 25-year career in the Marine Corps, he enrolled at FAU where he graduated in 1982 with a degree in education and then served as a language arts teacher at AC Perry Elementary School in Miramar.
"My father ran into Coach (Alfredo) Roberts," said Sam. "I'm not sure how it got started. It is everyone's dream to play Division I football. I was playing Division III. I had a chance to play here and help my father. I felt like God was giving me another chance to play in Florida. I made the switch immediately, especially since FAU has a strong education program."
McCoy speaks of his family with love and admiration. He talks of parents who have always placed education first and who have stressed the importance of children and getting along with everyone. He believes his ability to get along with everyone is a special skill and can be used in the classroom.
"Coach Romero and Coach Roberts have really pushed me and have brought me a long way athletically. They are big motivators," said McCoy. "Coach Schnellenberger doesn't let you get lost either. There were 164 kids who tried out and he talked to every one of us. He is involved with every player, scholarship or not."
McCoy, who is one of the older players on the team, doesn't let his teammates get lost, nor has he met an outsider. Everyone he comes in contact with is greeted with a smile.
"I was the youngest (at Methodist). Here I'm one of the older players," said McCoy. "However, the freshmen (at FAU) have been forced to grow up in a short amount of time, and they have done a pretty good job. Maturity will come, but the older players will have to set the example."
Life on and off the football field is positive for McCoy. "The education classes are challenging," he said. "The program is a lot more intense than people give it credit for being. I have learned a lot, mostly in multi-cultural education. FAU is a very diverse campus and is growing so much. Being here allows you to become more diverse."
McCoy, who attended a private elementary school and was on a waiting list to get into Nova High School, worked at Puppy Palace until he could save money to buy a car to eliminate a 45-minute bus ride, one way. The importance of education and the opportunities to help others were lessons he learned early on. And that is where his dual role as a fire fighter/teacher will apply. When asked if it would be safer to teach, especially in light of the recent World Trade Center attacks, he responded with an emphatic "no."
"I saw the attack on the World Trade Center in a different way," said McCoy. "My mom was scared, but I saw it as acts of heroism on the fire fighters' part. Even though many died, they died for something. A lot of people died where I grew up over stupid stuff. Dying over something honorable like that is really something. That may have even driven me more toward being a fire fighter. As a kid, I loved cartoons and super heroes. Being a fire fighter may be the closest I will ever get to being a super hero."
Dr. Aloia used to quote Plato's Republic: "Only he who joins the study of the muses with the gymnastic arts in the fairest proportions may rightly be called the truly educated man."
McCoy understands that balance and strives to continue with both the muses of gymnastic art - for him football - and his studies. He is not done nor is his opportunity to impact this community.
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