On this episode I have the pleasure of talking with Kathy DiCocco, Executive Director of the H.O.P.E. Foundation for a Better Tomorrow, and mother of its Founder, Frank DiCocco (1984-2013), who lived a short but amazing life focussed on lifting others to new heights. His crowning achievement was R.E.A.L. Men, Inc., which we discuss on this show. In his own words, "As a coach, my mission is to help raise the quality of this world, by helping to raise the quality of the individuals who live in this world." Listen and hear about this amazing program and how it serves men and women alike by teaching our student athletes to live by those words.

https://www.hopefoundation.us/the-founder.html
contact@hopefoundation.us
https://www.realmaninc.org/

THE LIFE OF COACH FRANK DICOCCO

​Coach Frank DiCocco dedicated his life to working with young people throughout the country, serving as an assistant coach and director player development for nearly a decade, working at both the high school and collegiate levels. His career included stops at Dwyer High School (FL), Avon Old Farms School (CT), Godby High School (FL), South Pointe High School (SC), Paul VI Catholic High School (VA), Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School (MA), and the Fessenden School (MA). Despite being offered a coaching position at Yale University, an NCAA Division I School, and West Point Academy, DiCocco chose to accept a position with the football program at Stillman College, a highly diverse institution in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

In addition to his resume full of coaching careers, DiCocco was a published author, having written several books on the subject of positive youth development and creating The REAL Man Program, a unique and comprehensive character-education curriculum designed specifically for today's youth. It was developed for and implemented by the National Football League's Youth Impact Program, which works with at-risk inner-city students in partnership with college and football teams. The REAL Man Program is designed for middle school, high school and college-aged students and has been utilized by athletics programs, schools and youth-development organizations across the country. DiCocco was also an avid writer for AppleSeeds.com as well as The Gridiron, The Texas Coach, and American Football Monthly magazines.

DiCocco also contributed his time and talents to several social awareness and advocacy groups including The Good Man Project, The RAINN Organization, A Call to Men, BARCC Rape Crisis Center of Boston, The Hope for Healing Survivor Support Programming, the feminist.com website, and many other organizations. Additionally, Frank DiCocco worked with the Florida Chapter of The Women's Breast Health Initiative, an organization that helps raise awareness and provide healthcare screenings to low-income women and families. DiCocco was a passionate advocate for the awareness and prevention of both sexual assault and domestic violence. Finally, DiCocco was an avid and active figure in the fight against cancers of all types.

In 2011, DiCocco founded The H.O.P.E. Foundation For a Better Tomorrow, Inc., a nonprofit organization focusing on Helping Other People Excel. Through his charitable work, DiCocco reached out to young people, young leaders, educators and coaches to help promote positive development opportunities and initiatives. Click here for more information on The H.O.P.E. Foundation For a Better Tomorrow.