Rocco Perciavalle (2004) - Hall of Fame - Montana State University Athletics

Rocco Perciavalle

Induction:
2004
Class:
1959

Rocco Perciavalle Football, 1956-1959 Tears at MSU: 1956-59 Honors Earned: All-America Hometown: Leetsdale, PA “Rocco is exactly the type of person, through his athletic successes hear, his success in life and dedication to the Bobcats after he left here, that represents Montana State Athletics so well.” –Sonny Holland, former teammate When Rocco Perciavalle joined the like of Dave Alt and Sonny Holland as freshmen football players on the Montana State College campus in the fall of 1956, they found a program that had more pride than production, more desire than demonstrated success. Without question, Montana State football had turned the corner, sandwiching a pair of .500 records around an 8-1 mark in 1954, the Bobcats’ second winning season in the quarter century. But none of them could know what was coming. Beginning with the National Championship season 1956, Montana State rolled up a four-year record—not coincidentally covering the span of Perciavalle’s career—of 31-6-1, the greatest four year span in Montana State history. That spectacular span of time was the foundation for success that would continue into the mid 1980s. Perciavalle was the key cog of those teams. The bruising fullback gained five yards a carry as a contributor during his freshman season, then led the ‘Cats in rushing and scoring in 1958. As a junior, he earned Mid-Bracket All-America Honorable Mention and Small College Second Team All-America honors at fullback, and upon completion of his career was considered MSU’s all-time leader in rushing yards gained.