NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Keegan Riccio of the Albertus Magnus College Women's Soccer and Lacrosse teams was named as a finalist for the Women's Great Northeast Atlantic Conference (GNAC) Athlete of the Year.
The GNAC Athlete of the Year award is modeled after the NCAA Woman of the Year award. It recognizes graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership.
Riccio is also the 2023 NCAA Woman of the Year nominee for Albertus.
Riccio, who earned her psychology degree from Albertus 3.99 GPA, racked up the accolades throughout the year. Her academic accolades include being named Albertus Magnus' 2023 Scholar Athlete of the Year (Female), a member of the 2022 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Division III Academic All-America Third Team for soccer, and a three-time CSC Academic All-District honoree. She also was a Third Team GNAC All-Conference member in 2021 on the field. She finished her career ranked third all-time in assists in soccer at Albertus with 18. She also ranks third on the career points list in lacrosse with 83. Aside from her accomplishments in the classroom and on the field, she was also involved in the community. She participated in a number of service activities including Unified Sport soccer and basketball tournaments at Albertus, Albertus' College Service Day clean-up, and volunteering with Beacon on the Hill and West Haven soccer camps.
PERSONAL STATEMENT:
"I spent the past four years at a small liberal arts school in New Haven, Conn. When I stepped on campus as a freshman, I was excited to represent Albertus Magnus College on the soccer and lacrosse fields. However, I did not realize that I would get the opportunity to represent my school in other ways.
As a commuter, part-time employee, and dual-sport athlete, I did not think that I had any space left in my schedule to devote to extracurricular activities like clubs and organizations. I started my mornings working at a before-school program at a local elementary school. After work, I immediately drove myself to campus and would attend classes until it was time to go to my practice or game. I kept this routine for the first few days of school until I was introduced to the Student Alumni Association (SAA). SAA is a group focused on embracing school traditions, providing students with pivotal career development and personal growth opportunities, and enhancing relations between current students and alums. As a general member, I attended bi-weekly meetings and went to club-sponsored events. As time progressed, I became the Vice President of Programming and eventually the President of SAA. As a person suffering from anxiety, I was extremely hesitant about accepting the presidential position because I knew I would have to run meetings and speak at events. However, my advisor strongly encouraged me to consider it because he saw such potential in me.
I spoke at countless campus events, which I would never have imagined myself doing four years ago. As a shy person, I was always the lead-by-example type of leader, I was never super vocal. Nevertheless, becoming a vocal leader for SAA translated into me becoming a more vocal leader on the field. It completely changed "my game" for the better. My teammates even nicknamed me "President." I then stepped into a captain position, commanding the defense in soccer and midfield in lacrosse.
Getting involved in extracurricular activities outside of athletics allowed me to find my voice on the field and in life. I can now advocate for myself and those around me, which will be a crucial skill in my future career as a social worker."
