Dennis Semrau
Wissports.net
Daniel Ricci, Brookfield Academy, senior
Sports: football, basketball, baseball
Taking a page from his idol, the late, great coach Vince Lombardi, Brookfield Academy senior Daniel Ricci believes that winning isn’t everything, it is the only thing.
That is also why if he had to pick one word to describe himself, it would be “determined.”
“I don’t like to lose,” said Ricci a three-sport athlete for the Blue Knights, who participates in football, basketball and baseball. “When you compete, you have to act like it’s your last play. We have three kids on our team who have ACL injuries. You never know when it might be over. So why not give it your all?”
A strong advocate of participating in multiple sports, Ricci admits he enjoys football the most right now. But then again, it is football season.
“I enjoy playing football because it’s so cool. I enjoy the feeling you get before the game on a Friday night,” he said. “But during winter, basketball is my favorite.”
Ricci, who also excels in the classroom with a 3.68 grade-point-average, said he enjoys playing three sports in high school for another reason.
“You get to meet more people from different schools,” he said. “High school sports are great. I enjoy the competition and knowing you’re going to go there every day and try to perform up to your potential.”
A four-time letterwinner in football, Ricci played on special teams as a freshman, started at running back and free safety as a sophomore and started at quarterback and free safety as a junior and senior.
A senior co-captain, he earned Midwest Classic Conference first team honors as a quarterback and second team honors as a defensive back my his junior season.
But despite also being named the league’s Most Valuable Player on Offense as a junior, Ricci’s most memorable moments of the 2008 season were winning the conference title and earning a berth in the WIAA Division 6 playoffs.
“We went 8-2, won conference and went to the playoffs,” Ricci said. “That’s more important than any individual honors or recognition.”
While Brookfield Academy suffered a 35-34 loss in the first round of the 2008 playoffs to Racine Lutheran, the experience only served to whet his appetite for more.
“I like being in the action. I like having a lot of responsibility and making sure my team wins and I’m a big part of it,” he said.
This winter Ricci will be a returning letterwinner and starter at point guard in basketball and serve as a co-captain. He plans to finish the school year as a three-time letterwinner in baseball, where he started in left field as a sophomore. He moved to center field as a junior and earned second-team all-conference honors.
Ricci started playing baseball when he was five, basketball in third grade and tackle football in high school. But he started playing flag football and AAU basketball in sixth grade.
He credits his dad, Doug, with inspiring him to participate in as many activities as possible.
“My dad, who is my role model, got me involved in sports starting when I was four years old. I’ve loved being in sports ever since,” Ricci said. “I also lift a lot during the summer, which helps me for all sports.
“In basketball, it’s easier to take a hit and get in the paint and draw a foul. In baseball, it’s helped me develop more extra-base power.”
Ricci would like to compete in sports in college, where he plans to study journalism or pre-law.
“I’ll see where that takes me,” he said. “I’m applying to Northwestern and UW-Madison.
“But I’m keeping my options open for football. Minnesota-Mankato has been calling me quite a bit. Lakeland College and UW-Eau Claire are showing some interest, too.”
Time out with Daniel Ricci
1 – Words to live by: “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.”
2 – Role model: my dad, Doug
3 -- My family also includes: my mom, Mary, and brother, Dominic
4 -- Favorite opponent: Lake Country Lutheran
5 -- Favorite movie: Remember the Titans
6 – Nickname: D-Rich
7 – Hobbies: swimming, writing, weight lifting
8 – Favorite athletes: Aaron Rodgers (football); Dwyane Wade (basketball); Ryan Braun (baseball)
9 -- Dream date: Jessica Alba
10 – Favorite food: tacos