Family and Field Hockey

Celina Riccardo is one of six freshmen on the Michigan State field hockey team this season. She may not have as much NCAA experience when compared to an upperclassman, but one thing is certain – she knows what it is like to be part of a big team.

Riccardo, 19, is the second-oldest of eight siblings - ranging from 12 to 20. Growing up in such a pivotal role as an elder sibling helped her develop into a hard-working leader on the field. "I watch her help her teammates consistently; she acts very motherly," said Coach Helen Knull. "As she gets older, she's probably going to take on that position as a leader. Watching her interact with her siblings, you can see that in her."

The Riccardo family, which lives in Downingtown, Penn., has 10 members in total – two parents, five girls and three boys. Riccardo started playing field hockey at the age of six, alongside older sister Romea. They're only a year apart, leading to relentless competition and growth between the two. And it didn't hurt that their dad, Jeff, is a field hockey coach with nearly three decades of experience. "He taught us all how to be driven," said Riccardo. "On the weekends, my dad would say, 'All right, let's go run', and we had no choice. Little things like that proved to be such a crucial part in becoming who I am today."

Celina Riccardo

Jeff encourages his children to try several sports while growing up. But he also believes in eventually specializing in one sport, for long term athletic success. So far, his plan is fool-proof. As of next year, his three oldest will all be attending out-of-state universities to play field hockey – Riccardo at Michigan State; Romea at North Carolina and soon to be joined by high school commit Ciana as a Tar Heel. "It's surreal to see both of us playing for Division 1 programs," said Riccardo. "I miss playing alongside her, and I hope my other siblings have similar chances to pursue their dreams as well."

The dynamic of the Riccardo family has changed quite drastically over the past few years. Parents Jeff and Janet relied on their older children to lend a helping hand around the house in any way they could: cleaning laundry, driving the younger ones to school, preparing dinner, and setting good examples. Riccardo's environment at MSU is a big change from her bustling house.She used to fight for solitude at home, with nine roommates to contend with. Now, she only has one roommate. This is a huge change of setting, and she said that she is handling it well. Riccardo isn't a huge fan of solitude to begin with; one of her best qualities is communication, and field hockey has always given her another way to stay engaged in conversation. "My ability to connect with the team right away this season was thanks to my childhood; I've learned communication is the only way to keep a strong team together," said Riccardo.

Celina Riccardo

Knull and Riccardo's teammates love her enthusiasm and spirit, yet her speed and knowledge of the game are also worth noting. In her first season at MSU, Riccardo totaled over 800 playing minutes in 18 games played. "She's really fast," said Knull. "She brings a really big spark, and we try to utilize her speed as much as we can. She led the team in fitness testing at the beginning of the year, and we'll be looking forward to evolving her creativity down the road."

Players Mentioned

Celina Riccardo

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