In Memory Of A Teammate
Oct 20 | Men's Soccer
The tragic news hit the Rutgers men's soccer program last August. Former Scarlet Knight goalkeeper Ricky Zinter, a member of the class of 2003, had passed away at the age of 34 after a rafting accident in Western Colorado. To many that had known Ricky and played beside him, RU had lost the consummate teammate.
Following the graduation of Scarlet Knight All-American Jon Conway, Ricky found himself in a competition for the starting position in goal. JD Martin ultimately won the starting nod, but what Ricky had won was the respect of his fellow teammates.
"Ricky and JD competed for that position for two years. At no time was there anything but mutual respect between the two of them," recalled teammate Chris Stewart. "They handled the situation with such grace. That says a lot about Ricky. He was never the type of person to put himself ahead of the team. He always put the team first, and everyone loved him for it. He knew what was best for the team was to have the person in goal the team felt was the most deserving."
Ricky would eventually earn the starting keeper position and went on to appear in 50 games over the course of his Scarlet Knight career. The Penfield, New York native's name is still found in the Rutgers record books listed sixth in all-time saves with 199 stops. In 2000, he registered seven shutouts and held a 1.19 goals against average and the following season, Rutgers advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament, closing out the year with a 15-7-3 overall record. As the last line of defense, Ricky registered five saves against UConn in RU's 2-1 triple overtime second round NCAA Tournament victory. Later in 2002, he posted a career-high 81 saves and four shutouts, including three against NCAA bound squads.
However, it was more than just Ricky's accomplishments on the field that had struck a cord with his teammates.
"Ricky was what was great about our program. He was a fantastic athlete, a great guy, great student and anyone who knew him, knew him as having a great big smile," explained Stewart. "Ricky was the type of person who would welcome you into his home anytime you needed it."
Living off campus in the Birchwood Apartments in 2002, Ricky was known to open his door before the sun would rise, so his fellow teammates could watch the World Cup. It didn't matter that Ricky would have a training session or have to jet off to class, the door was always open as far as his teammates were concerned.
"He didn't even blink, it was 'guys, come over whenever you want.' Five, 10 of us would crowd into his apartment at 4 a.m. to watch the USA games. That's the type of person he was," recalled Stewart.
Ricky, an information technology and informatics major, also joined forces with teammate Mark Telesz in creating arcade games in their apartment during their spare time and was known to help solve his classmates' computer problems.
While Ricky's teammates continue to share the stories they have of their friend, they felt it wasn't just enough to recall the fond memories on and off the field. There was something more they could do to remember their teammate.
"When you lose someone like that who is emblematic of the type of people you want to symbolize your program, I thought it was appropriate that we recognize him," said Stewart, who went on to contact Varsity R to find a way to help keep Ricky's memory alive and combine it with a way to help a team and a school he dearly loved.
The Varsity R Letterwinners Association was established in 2014 to help Rutgers letterwinners and coaching staffs stay connected to Rutgers Athletics and their sport programs after their time "On the Banks" is over, in addition to assisting with fundraising efforts. As part of the Big Ten Build, in an effort to build premier training facilities for the State University of New Jersey, plans were announced for a new state-of -the-art Lacrosse, Soccer, and Tennis Training Complex. Among the initiatives, all Rutgers letterwinners were offered the opportunity to name a locker with a pledge of $2500 over 5 years in the new facility.
"I got involved with the Varsity R in the last eight months or so and I saw it was a platform for us to do something to remember Ricky by. I knew something we could do, because I knew he loved Rutgers so much, was through the locker pledge that we had been engaging with the not only the alumni, but with everyone associated with Rutgers as well," said Stewart. "For me, it made sense because it was a great way to remember Ricky and two, it was a way to bring all the people that loved Ricky, including the people that played with Ricky, together again."
On Alumni Night as the men's soccer team took on Northwestern, the program honored not only Ricky's family, but also his teammates, who have raised more than $7500 in his honor.
When the locker is eventually installed into the new facility, his former teammates ultimately want the future Scarlet Knights to remember what Ricky stood for.
"There is something bigger than you and that's the team. That's what Ricky did. He always put the team first. He put his teammates ahead of him," said Stewart. "As a result of that, he elevated the team and that's what all teams need. Ultimately the team, the program, Rutgers - it's all bigger than the individual and Ricky recognized that from the onset. Being a great teammate is more important to me than being a great player or any accolades."
The locker will serve as a testament to the bond between teammates and continue the memory of a life-long friend.
For more information about Varsity R, the Rutgers all-sport letterwinners organization, click here. For more information about the new Lacrosse, Soccer and Tennis Training Complex and the Big Ten Build, click here.
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