First-year Hoyas forward Ricky Schramm does not look intimidating on the soccer field. He’s 5-foot-11, 155 lbs., and of average build. What he lacks in size, however, he makes up for in ability and personal style.
“Ricky is somebody you wouldn’t want to play against,” said Head Coach Keith Tabatznik. “He has the desire to get out there and just outwork everyone on and off the field.”
He has only been at Georgetown for a few weeks but has already made a big impact. In his first game against Howard University in the D.C. College Cup he scored two goals and led the Hoyas to a 4-0 win on their way to their first College Cup win in the tournament’s three-year history.
“I came here [to Georgetown] with an open mind and ready for anything,” said Schramm. “I just want to play my best because I know this is not permanent.”
Following his tremendous performance in the game against Howard, he scored the game-winning goal in the final game of the tournament against American University. His performance over the weekend earned him the Big East Rookie of the Week.
“Rookie of the Week is just one of the things that just keep happening. Things are just happening and happening,” said Schramm. “I didn’t expect any of these. I’m on Cloud Nine.”
Schramm followed up his Labor Day weekend performance with two goals in ten minutes against No. 5 Indiana University on Saturday. His goals evened the score and led the Hoyas to a 2-2 tie with Indiana.
Schramm, like any other student athlete, faces the pressures of the academic rigor of Georgetown and the demanding practice and game schedules. Being a three-sport athlete throughout high school helped him balance his time between work and play. He played tennis and ran track as a student at Fordham Prep School in New York.
“The hardest adjustment is being on my own clock,” said Schramm. “I have to eat healthy and know that taking care of my body is important. I don’t have my parents around to tell me to eat salad and take my vitamins. I know not to be exhausted before games and get my work done.”
Schramm also concedes that even with his time management skills, he still needs to adjust to the workload and demands of a college student.
“Time management comes as second nature to me but the work here is more demanding,” said Schramm. “I know that I can’t procrastinate and I have to keep up with the work.”
With Schramm’s glowing abilities, it is no wonder he was recruited in one weekend when neither he nor his team played especially well.
“We decided to get Ricky quite late,” said Tabatznik. “My assistant actually saw him at a tournament in Tampa, Fla. That game was not Ricky’s or the team’s best. He had the definite desire to outwork other people, the desire to win games and that’s what stood out about him. He had special qualities.”
Schramm has a unique personal style as well. He ties his soccer cleats around his ankle, which is unusual and very visible against his bright white socks. Although, the upturned collar is a trademark style around the Georgetown campus, Schramm is the only one who wears his collar up on the field as well. He assures that his twist on soccer style has nothing to do with superstition.
“I have always worn the collar turned up and my cleats just feel more comfortable tied like that,” said Schramm. “Everyone back home wears their cleats like that. It’s not a lucky thing or anything.”
Ricky Schramm is a player who not only has poise and confidence on the field, but off the field. “I’m just trying to enjoy this and make the best of it. I know this doesn’t happen to many people this fast,” said Schramm.
