Rich Cicerchi ’65 Returns to Holy Name, Bringing Lessons from the Boardroom to the Field

PARMA HEIGHTS, OH — Nearly six decades after wearing a Holy Name football jersey, Rich Cicerchi still credits the program with shaping his approach to business and leadership.

Cicerchi, Class of 1965, visited Holy Name High School on October 9 to speak with the current Green Wave football team. A former player turned developer and entrepreneur, he now leads Cicerchi Development Company and Touchstone Analytics, two firms known for their disciplined growth and long-term vision.

“Football taught me how to stay focused, work hard, and take responsibility,” Cicerchi told the team. “Those habits don’t fade. They follow you into every part of your life. I like to call them character intangibles.”

Years earlier, Cicerchi’s business success helped fuel one of the school’s most visible upgrades—the turf field project—which has since become a hub for student athletics and community events. His contribution transformed an aging facility into a modern arena where hundreds of students now practice and play.

Head Coach Dan Wondolowski described Cicerchi’s visit as a full-circle moment. “Rich represents what we hope every athlete becomes,” he said. “Someone who carries the discipline of this program into whatever field he’s in next.”

At the close of practice, Wondolowski and Assistant Coach Day presented Cicerchi with a Holy Name jersey featuring his number—a gesture of gratitude for both his leadership and his lasting impact on the school.

Cicerchi’s career has spanned decades of real-estate development and financial analysis, yet he points to Holy Name as the foundation. “You don’t forget where you learned how to compete,” he said. “And you don’t forget who taught you what it means to lead.”