Big Macs’ Bockius to play volleyball at Saint Francis
Canon-McMillan senior Luke Bockius grew up wanting to play football.
He loved the game and his father played at the University of Delaware.
However, when the time came for him to play on the gridiron, his dad wouldn’t allow him to play.
“I was upset at the time but now I know why he did it,” Bockius said. “I think playing football and seeing what happens to guys with injuries after their playing careers kind of made him hesitant in regards to me playing. He was just looking out for me.”
Bockius decided to make the switch to volleyball.
That decision has paid off as Bockius has committed to continue his academic and volleyball careers at Saint Francis University in Loretto.
“The family environment at Saint Francis and the faculty-to-student ratio was higher, which really appealed to me,” Bockius said. “Their coach also likes to list the starters on the board for each match, so you know where you stand and what needs to be done to move up the ladder.”
Bockius will play libero for the Red Flash, but said, “It is not out of the equation to play on the outside if I work on my vertical (jump).”
Despite the desire to play football, Bockius grew up around volleyball, as his sisters played. He also competed in basketball and soccer.
“I was in second grade when I started to going to camps with my sisters,” Bockius said. “I always loved to serve, and I was able to do it overhand at a younger age than moSaint”
Volleyball, and especially boys volleyball, might not make the impression that football does in Southwestern Pennsylvania, but the Big Macs had one of their best seasons in program history this past season with a third-place finish in the WPIAL playoffs and a trip to the state quarterfinals.
“We really had a great year last season, but we are losing a lot of great guys,” Bockius said. “Owen (Ostrowski) was an animal but I think we will still have a solid team. We have some young guys, but they are ready to step into that role as starters and leaders.”
Bockius plans to study civil or mechanical engineering in college.
“It is exciting to be able to play volleyball at the next level, but I know academics are what comes first,” Bockius said. “I need to focus on my studies so I can obtain my degree and get in a good field. That said, it will be great to play these top Division I schools. Saint Francis has a match at UCLA this year to open the season and they also play Penn State.”