Notre Dame's Nico Ragaini '17 Named NHR Male Athlete of the Year

New Haven - In a quick google search of famous quotes by New York Yankee icon Yogi Berra, the top four are listed below and they can all apply to Notre Dame’s Nico Ragaini ‘17.

1. When you come to a fork in the road, take it;
2. You can observe a lot by just watching;
3. It ain’t over till it’s over;
4. It’s like déjà vu all over again.

It’s like déjà vu all over again…

The fourth quote seems most appropriate now as Ragaini was named the New Haven Register Male Athlete of the Year tonight for the second year in a row, a first in the history of this award, at their annual All-Area MVP Banquet.

Gabby Martin of Daniel Hand was named the 2016-17 New Haven Register Female Athlete of the Year. Congrats Gabby!

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“It is easy to say that Nico is one of the finest athletes to compete for Notre Dame in my 47 years as a coach,” said long-time head football and baseball coach and Athletic Director Tom Marcucci ‘66. “He is the only football player in school history to make all-State for three years and has been named all-State in lacrosse and indoor track as well.”

You can observe a lot by just watching…

Marcucci quickly added, “However, his accolades are not what separates him from other great athletes. It his genuinely humble nature and team-first attitude that are most impressive. He is a role model for all athletes to show that you can be determined, highly competitive, and tenacious on the field and be a great teammate, classmate, and friend off the field.”

When you come to a fork in the road, take it;

A three-sport standout in football, indoor track, and lacrosse, Ragaini (East Haven, CT) is headed to Cornell to play lacrosse as part of the Big Red’s Class of 2018. Ragaini will matriculate at Avon Old Farms for a post-graduate year starting this fall before embarking on his Ivy League career.

Here are a small sampling of notes and accolades from his Notre Dame career:

Overall

• 2-TIME New Haven Register Male Athlete of the Year Award Recipient
• 6 All-State selections in three different sports (football, lacrosse, and indoor track)
• 31 football victories in four years as a starter
• 49 lacrosse wins in four years as a starter
• Countless memories for ND Nation

Football

• Four-Year Starter
• Three-time All-State Selection
• State’s all-time leader in career receptions with 222
• Caught 59 passes 988 yards and 6 TD’s as a receiver as a senior
• New Haven Register All Area MVP as a senior
• Team qualified for CIAC playoffs in 2014, 2015, 2016

Lacrosse

• Four-Year Starter
• Two-Time All-State Selection
• Team qualified for CIAC playoffs all four years, including program-best semifinal appearance as a sophomore
• Program leader in points (193) and assists (116)
• Scored 77 goals in his career

Indoor Track

• Key member of 4x400 relay team with Prince Brooks ‘16, Dario Salati ‘16, and Elliot Paintsil ‘16 that consistently won its event in the winter of 2015-16, including at the SCC Indoor Championship Meet as well as at the CIAC Class L Indoor Championship Meet to earn All-State status

It ain’t over till it’s over…and much to the delight of coaches in the SCC and beyond, Nico’s ND career officially comes to a close with tonight’s final honor and his Graduation on May 28, 2017!

While he has worn the green and gold ND uniform for the last time, Ragaini will long be remembered at Notre Dame for his humbleness, team-first mantra, strong academic record, and infectious attitude. His athletic accomplishments speak for themselves and we look forward to seeing his future successes at Avon Old Farms and Cornell.