Rocco Caponi is in his second year as an assistant coach for the Campbell University wrestling program after being hired prior to the 2010-11 campaign.

Caponi joins the Campbell program after a highly successful career spanning five years at the University of Virginia.  While with the Cavaliers, he won three Atlantic Coast Conference titles and qualified for the NCAA Division I Championships four times.

“We’re excited to have Rocco as a member of our program,” said first-year head coach Joe Boardwine.  “His experience as a competitor is very valuable, and having dominated the ACC, he brings a wealth of knowledge to our team.  He helped take Virginia from the basement of the ACC to the top, and that’s invaluable—building a strong program is something we’re trying to do here at Campbell.”

Caponi won over 110 matches during his UVA career while wrestling mostly in the 184-pound weight class.

“I am very happy to become part of the Campbell University family,” said Caponi. “I believe through hard work we can bring this program into the national spotlight. It is a great privilege and honor to work around so many great people in such a lovely setting.”

Caponi earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Studies of Women and Gender from Virginia in 2008, and also received his Master’s of Education in Educational Psychology from UVA in 2009. 

Caponi graduated from Ohio’s St. Vincent-St. Mary’s Catholic High School in 2004 after winning an individual state championship.  In 2003, he also won the Freestyle National title.

The son of Gino and Kim Caponi, he is married to the former Alexis Davis.