Catchin' Up With a 'Cat
This edition looks at former Bobcat Rico Day.
It’s the middle of summer. Temperatures are hot and humid. So it is understandable if a sport that survives on ice isn’t a top priority for a lot of people.
But for Rico Day, the hockey season is coming closer and closer.
As an assistant coach for the 96 Pittsburgh Penguins Elite team, Day and staff begin practicing August 7
th, with the puck dropping officially just a week or two later.
Being an assistant coach, the players will take lessons and advice from Day. However, Day will take orders from head coach Lemieux.
Mario Lemieux, that is.
“I am eager to learn from Mario as he is one of the greatest hockey players in the history of the game,” Day said in an email interview. “As great as Mario is, he is very down to earth, approachable, and has a great since of humor.”
Day didn’t just waltz into the assistant coaching gig, he earned his stripes through hockey, especially as a former Bobcat.
Originally from Monongahela, PA, Day played his amateur days with the Pittsburgh Hornets AAA team. He later played juniors with the Toledo Cherokee.
Day first suited up as a Bobcat for the 2001-02 season as a defenseman. As like so many other ‘Cats, he enjoyed success while donning the Green & White. “My freshman year was the only year we didn’t make it to the Final 4 of the National Tournament,” Day said.
Statistically speaking, Day left Bird Arena with 2 CSCHL regular season titles, 2 CSCHL tournament championships, an ACHA Championship Runners-up, and an ACHA National Championship.
But stats aren’t as important as what else he left Bird Arena and Athens with; “The most influential aspect that I have taken from the sport is the competition and hard work needed to be successful,” Day said. “Nothing in life is guaranteed and you need to work hard to proper and grow in business and life.”
That hard work translated into Day beginning as an Account Executive for Ricoh Business Solutions. He has since been promoted to a Major Account Executive.
In Pittsburgh, Day still plays once a week in a competitive league. He makes it back to Athens, along with other players he keeps in touch with for the Cats Eye Tournament. “Once you attend the university, it is woven into you as a person,” he said.
Like so many others, Day misses the times in Athens-first and foremost playing in front of a sold out crowd in Bird Arena against rival Penn State. “A close second is the night life on Court Street!”
While he waits to coach his Elite team, Day has a few words to coach current ‘Cats; “Play hard, embody the experience, take it seriously and cherish the time because the four years go so fast and you only get one chance to play competitive college hockey,” he said.
