This article appears in the November edition of USA Lacrosse Magazine. Join our momentum.

An experienced sports, media and technology executive with strong ties to the sport, Marc Riccio was named the CEO of USA Lacrosse on Aug. 12.

“We set out to identify a leader who was an innovator, a connector, a critical thinker and a strategist — someone with integrity and deep passion for our mission,” said Beth Lyman, chair of the USA Lacrosse Board of Directors. “We found that in Marc.”

Riccio spent 17 years leading business operation and development for the NFL’s New York Jets before working for the last seven years in roles focused on strategy, growth and organizational change for major sports brands and events.

We sat down with the new boss to learn more about what led him to this position.

How did you get introduced to lacrosse?

I was living in Canandaigua, New York. A new neighbor moved in next door. They dropped a goal in the front yard and had an extra stick. It was an orange STX SAM. I picked up that stick and never looked back.

What are your fondest memories?

Just playing out in the front yard with friends, my brother and some neighborhood folks, turning the goal upside down and backward, playing with a tennis ball. I used to keep a stick by the front door. I’d run in and out, go out and throw for a few minutes, run back in and do what I needed to do — whether it was homework or work around the house. Run back out and play some more. My fondest memories really are just picking up a stick and playing.

When did you pick up a goalie stick?

Ah, you found that out, huh? I have not talked about the fact that I was a goalie very much. That came right around seventh grade when I started to play organized lacrosse. We were standing in line and the coach asked, “Who wants to be a goalie?” Everybody stepped backward, and I was standing there by myself. There’s a bit of individuality to the position that I found exciting. Having the team in front of you and being the quarterback of the defense in that leadership position was something I did enjoy. In high school I played man-up. I would come out of the cage, hand my goalie stick in, take an attack stick and play the point. Then after the man-up I’d go back in goal.

Canandaigua has a lot of history. What was it like then?

Credit goes to Johnny Johnson, or JJ, for really growing the game in Canandaigua. We were just getting started. We went to sectionals, ended up losing in the playoffs, but we really started to find success against schools like Irondequoit and Fairport. We played a lot of lacrosse over the summers, box stuff, pickup around town. We just had fun. That’s what still drives me today to the mission of USA Lacrosse, the residual benefits that come from that fun. Back in the day, we just picked up and played.

What role did lacrosse play in you going to Hofstra?

I knew I wanted to be near a city to pursue communications and multimedia. Hofstra provided that. I almost went to Washington College, but Hofstra came in with a scholarship offer. That was important and necessary. Where I came from, that was a game changer. Hofstra checked all those boxes, being in a bigger city environment, the education and playing Division I lacrosse. Lacrosse changed the path of my life. Going to Hofstra was a critical part of that path.

How did you find out about this opportunity? Why go for it?

All the things I’ve done in my career have come to this point. I worked at Hofstra doing marketing and fundraising. That gave me an understanding of working in development and philanthropy in a sport environment. I’ve worked for professional organizations, so I understand how professional sports properties run and operate, how they make their money, how they engage with fans, how they grow the game. I’ve worked in a global agency environment. I’ve worked with venture capital accelerators and startups, so I understand early-stage companies and doing more with less. I feel very fortunate and humbled to be sitting here today. Credit goes to [former CEO] Steve Stenersen and his staff for what they’ve built. I’m coming into a situation that’s fantastic. This is a unicorn job, my dream job, because it brings together all my professional capabilities, skills and experiences with what I feel so strongly about in terms of the sport and the mission.