Dick Rockwell was more than just a baseball coach at Le Moyne College. He is considered a Le Moyne legend based on his contributions to the school. After playing pro baseball in the 1960s with the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies, Le Moyne College named Rockwell as its head baseball coach in 1968. Over the next three decades, Rockwell led the small Jesuit college to national prominence. The Dolphins qualified for the NCAA tournament 12 of their last 13 years at the Division II level.
Le Moyne's success under Rockwell did not stop with its move to NCAA Div. I in 1988. One of the program's most memorable wins came in the NCAA Northeast Regional in Waterbury, Conn., in 1989. Le Moyne defeated national powers Arkansas and Arizona State and the Dolphins overcame a 14-0 deficit to defeat Pennsylvania 18–16 in 12 innings. Although they eventually lost in the finals to Arkansas, the Dolphins earned a place on the national baseball map.
Rockwell was named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference North Coach of the Year in 1990, '92 and '93.
Rockwell's baseball work also included his stint as Chairman of the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee. "Rock", as he is known, compiled a 757-309 career record before retiring from coaching 1996. He was named the athletic director in 1990, a position he held until he retired in 2009. Le Moyne named its baseball facility "Dick Rockwell Field" in honor of the winningest baseball coach in school history.
Rockwell ranked fifth on the all-time NCAA Div. I winningest active coaches list before retiring. He is a member of both the Le Moyne College and Ithaca College Halls of Fame.
