NEWS                                                                                      Walnut Valley Unified School District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      880 S. Lemon Avenue

February 25, 2016                                                                    Walnut, CA 91789

 

Contact:

Kelli Gile, Office of Community Resources

[email protected]

(909) 595-1261 ext. 31204

Brahma running back headed to University of Jamestown

DIAMOND BAR, CA—Diamond Bar High School’s Dimaggio Rico has committed to play football next year at the University of Jamestown.

The star running back signed a National Letter of Intent in front of family, coaches, and administrators on February 23.

Rico, age 18, received a prestigious academic and athletic scholarship to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division I school in North Dakota.

“It’s a big step,” Rico said after the signing ceremony, wearing a Jimmie Football t-shirt.

“I chose this school for education and to further my football career.”

Head football coach Marcus Hughes described Rico as being a hard worker, a team player, and very unselfish.

“He’s a rare breed,” Hughes offered. “A great young man and much deserved for this scholarship.”

Although Rico had offers from a total of ten schools, he was drawn to Jamestown because of the campus, coaches, atmosphere, and even the weather.

“The coaches have a plan for me already. They want me doing special teams running back in the beginning,” he said.

“We’re very proud of the academic scholarship,” said parents Richard and Candy Rico.

“Dimaggio’s put in a lot of weekend sacrifices,” added his dad, recalling the time he jumped in the pool at 5 a.m. to wake up before driving to a game in Barstow.

“And he had a great game that day!”

Rico had two special guests attend the signing - Carlos Barron, who was his first Junior All-American football coach when he was just eight-years-old, and DuJuan Johnson, his counselor at South Pointe Middle School.

“It’s amazing to remember a 6^th grade kid and seeing where his is today. I’m grateful to be here and witness this,” said Johnson, now a grade level coordinator at Walnut High.

“Dimaggio put the work in in the classroom and on the field. He’s earned it!” Johnson added.

Shown:

Diamond Bar High School senior Dimaggio Rico committed to play football at University of Jamestown during a signing ceremony on February 23. Shown with: Head football coach Marcus Hughes, grade level coordinator Ginger Auten, and athletic director Kevin Ferguson.