Bob Ricca, the 79‑year‑old architect of St. John’s University’s football resurgence, died over the weekend, leaving a deep imprint on the Queens campus and the broader college sports community.
Ricca’s journey began in 1970 when he took a part‑time assistant role at Kings Park High School while teaching, a modest start that set the stage for a 28‑year tenure that would reshape the program.
From Club Team to Division I‑AA Powerhouse
When he took the helm in 1974, the program was a struggling club outfit. Over the next three decades he guided the team through pivotal transitions — elevating it to Division III in 1978 and then to Division I‑AA in 1983 — laying a foundation that would eventually become a perennial contender.
His stewardship produced 15 winning seasons, seven conference titles and the 1994 ECAC championship, a 10‑1 campaign that remains a benchmark for the school. Those accomplishments earned him Coach of the Year honors three times, underscoring his impact beyond the field.
Beyond the wins, Ricca mentored generations of student‑athletes, many of whom credit him with shaping their academic and professional trajectories. Four of those players have been enshrined in the St. John’s athletic hall of fame, a testament to his lasting influence.
Funeral Arrangements and Community Tribute
A wake will be held on Friday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 7 p.m. at Branch Funeral Home in Smithtown, followed by a funeral mass on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Christ the King Church in Commack. The services will bring together alumni, colleagues and friends to celebrate a life devoted to coaching, teaching and community.
Tributes have poured in from across the university, with St. John’s President Rev. Brian J. McHugh praising Ricca’s “unwavering dedication” and “the indelible mark he left on the institution.” The outpouring reflects not only a loss of a coach but of a mentor who inspired loyalty among alumni who continue to carry his lessons into their own lives.