Myrtle Beach, SC – Graduate student and All-Northeast Conference (NEC) offensive lineman Steve Ciocci (Royersford, PA/ Spring-Ford/Temple Univ.) is among an elite group of 124 invited players from around the nation that will compete in the third annual Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Senior Scout Bowl, to be held on Saturday, December 15 at 5:00 pm at Doug Shaw Stadium in Myrtle Beach, SC.
 
A live free Internet broadcast of the game can be accessed by logging on to http://www.fcsseniorbowl.com/
 
Ciocci was a productive, durable and consistent performer throughout his Seahawk career, which was capped by his helping lead Wagner to its first-ever NEC Championship, FCS NCAA Playoff victory (31-20 over Colgate on November 24) and the school's first nine-game winning streak since 1981.
 
A mainstay at right tackle, the 6-4, 290-pound Ciocci filled in at various other positions along the O-line in 2012 and throughout his career. Ciocci helped spring holes up front that paved the way for running back Dominique Williams (Bridgton, NJ/ Milford Academy) to become just the third player in Seahawk history to amass consecutive 1,000-yard-plus seasons, which he accomplished in 2011 and 2012. Ciocci's pass-blocking skills played a role in quarterback Nick Doscher (Staten Island, NY/ Moore Catholic) setting a host of career records, highlighted by his becoming Wagner's all-time passing leader with 6,100 career yards.
 
Entering the 2012 campaign, Ciocci brought a streak of 12 consecutive starting assignments, dating back to the 2010 season. He then went on to start all 13 Wagner games during the memorable 2012 campaign, which included all 11 regular seasons contests and the Seahawks' two NCAA games, the first-round win over Colgate followed by the 29-19 loss at No. 4 Eastern Washington on December 1. When added all up, Ciocci's name was announced in the starting lineup 25 consecutive games. For his career, he played in 43 games while gaining starts in 35.
 
Ciocci will compete for the North team that will be coached by members of the Johnson C. Smith University staff while the South team will be coached by members of the North Carolina Central University staff. The Keystone State Native is one of four NEC players to gain an invite to the FCS Senior Scout Bowl along with Bryant RB Jordan Brown, Robert Morris DB Cam Chadwick, and Saint Francis U placekicker Josh Thiel.
 
Players will arrive in Myrtle Beach on Thursday and take part in several team meetings. On Friday, double-session practices will be held as well as personal workouts for scouts. FCS Senior Scout Bowl Weekend is an important one for prospects looking to impress professional teams as representatives from 17 NFL teams, four CFL teams and four European teams are expected to be in attendance.
 
On Friday evening, Ciocci will attend a 300-plus person pregame banquet honoring the players and coaching staffs selected to participate in the 2012 game, featuring a Southern style meal with South Carolina hospitality. A media presentation honoring the players along with coach's comments will be part of the festive night, an affair highlighted by each player being recognized and presented with his game jersey at the banquet.
 
Ciocci is not defined solely by his football-playing ability. In May, 2011, he earned his undergraduate degree from Wagner with a 3.527 GPA in Business Administration after earning a spot on the NEC Fall Academic Honor Roll in 2010 and 2011. He is currently pursuing an MBA.

Ciocci has also made an indelible impact away from the classroom and off the playing field, in both the Wagner and Staten Island communities, leading and participating in a wide array of charitable intitiatives. His relentless desire to help others was recognized in September when he was selected to the prestigious 2012 Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team. This distinguished  honor is bestowed upon a select group of college football players committed to making a difference in their communities and for their commitment to volunteerism.  The 22-person 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, comprised of 11 players from the FCS Division and 11 from the FBS, have been invited to the January 1 Sugar Bowl game, as guests of the AFCA,  between Florida and Louisville.

In April, 2011, Ciocci was one of an elite group of six people to receive an award at Wagner's Civic Engagement Recognition Day Ceremony, which recognizes and honors exceptional individuals, departments and community partners who exemplify a sense of caring and responsibility for others that connects citizens and works to address community problems. Throughout his time on Grymes Hill, Ciocci has devoted himself to raising the profile of  numerous local and national organizations within the Wagner College campus and local community. He has mobilized a host of students to participate in such events as the Relay for Life, Operation Christmas Child, visiting children in the Pediatrics Ward at Staten Island University Hospital and finding donors for the National Marrow Donor Program.