Lycoming College

A strapping 5-9, 189-pound Philadelphia native, Ricky Lannetti '04 was one of the most versatile players for the Warriors in the early part of the century. He began his career as a kickoff returner and moved into the punt return role as a sophomore in 2001, earning Second Team All-MAC honors as a return specialist after returning two punts for touchdown. As a junior, he turned into the Warriors' top receiver after not catching a pass in his first two years with the team. He was even better as a senior, averaging a school-record 7.0 catches per game, posting 955 yards, plus as the team's top punt and kick returner, he broke the school's record for all-purpose yards in a season (1,644), a mark that stood for 11 years. He broke the school-record for most receptions in a game with 16 against Delaware Valley and also wrapped up his career holding all-time records in kick return yards (987), kick returns (45) and punt return touchdowns (2). He also helped Lycoming to an 8-1 regular season during that 2003 season and its first MAC title in four years, helping the team reach the NCAA Division III Championships while earning D3Football.com All-American honors and First Team All-MAC accolades as a receiver. In the first round against East Texas Baptist, he made five catches for 40 yards in Lycoming' 13-7 overtime victory. Shockingly, during the week of the NCAA quarterfinals, he fell ill, checking into the hospital on Saturday morning and just 12 hours later, he passed away. The autopsy report listed the cause as a bloodstream infection caused by Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA), better known as a staph infection.
 
Nearly 15 years later, Lannetti's death has been a rallying cry in the sports world for awareness in staph infection detection and his story has been featured in several national media outlets, including the New York Times, Men's Health and ESPN: The Magazine. Lannetti's family, including mother Theresa Drew, father, Rick Lannetti and sisters, Lisa and Katie, have increased recognition and raised thousands to help further research and education on MRSA. The family also helped create the Ricky Lannetti Scholarship Fund at Lycoming.