McCann Tech Hires New Football Coach

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NORTH ADAMS,  Mass. — McCann Technical School announced that they have appointed new football Jon Rochelo.

"As a former player of mine in high school, basketball, I'm excited to see Jon returning to the school in a coaching role," said Principal Justin Kratz. "I think he's got the right mindset and perspective to work well with our players and am really looking forward to seeing him on the sidelines.  I know he's invested in the school and seeing the program succeed."  

Rochelo takes over for former coach John LeClair

Rochelo, a McCann graduate and football player, graduated in 2007 and earned All Berkshire honors in 2004, '05, and '06 as well as the McCann defensive player of the year award in 2005 and the D.A. Ponti Athletic Award in 2007.    

He also played point guard on the school's basketball team.

After graduation Rochelo stayed in the field of his vocational studies working his way up from an apprentice to as a licensed electrician foreman for Comalli Electric and then moving to CTC Inc.  

 He has been involved in youth coaching for a number of years coaching softball, baseball, and football locally.  
 
 He resides with his wife and three children in Cheshire.

"Jon's a good young coach that I think has a solid handle on the game and the ability to work well with young players," Kratz added. "We'll be looking to surround him with a strong coaching staff in the next couple weeks and it will be August before we know it."  


 

 


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Veteran Spotlight: Army Reserve Sgt. Bill 'Spaceman' Lee

By Wayne SoaresSpecial to iBerkshires
FALMOUTH, Mass. — Bill Lee served his country in the Army Reserve from 1970 to 1976 during the Vietnam War. 
 
The "Spaceman" is the last Boston Red Sox player to miss time for active duty. 
 
William Francis Lee III, grew up in Burbank, Calif., and was born into a history of former semipro and professional baseball players. His grandfather William was an infielder in the Pacific Coast League and his aunt Annabelle Lee was an All-American Girls Professional Baseball player. 
 
"She taught me how to pitch," he said.
 
His father, also William, served in the Army as a sergeant during World War II and saw major action at the Battle of Okinawa as a radio communications soldier.
 
"My dad was tough, old school. My first big endorsement when I was playing was with a Honda dealership in Boston," Lee said. "I went to see my dad to get his thoughts and he says, 'If you come back with a rice-burning car, I'll run you through with the bayonet I took off a dead soldier.'"
 
Lee attended the University of Southern California and was part of the 1968 Trojan team that won the College World Series. He was drafted in the 22nd round by the Red Sox in the '68 draft. 
 
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