About
- Former NFL Free Agent tight end
- Stand-out Michigan State University football player
- Former Walk-On awarded full scholarship
- Played in and won prestigious Rose Bowl Game
- 25 years coaching/training/mentoring athletes
- Certified Speed Instructor
- Level 5 USA Hockey Certified Instructor
Rich Gicewicz - Founder SAQ Performance
Retired Professional Athlete, Certified Speed Instructor, Speaker
Well-known in athletic circles, Rich Gicewicz has dedicated his life to helping student-athletes find the best version of themselves on and off the field, while maximizing their individual athletic abilities and building self-confidence to perform at their highest levels.
A retired professional Football player, Gicewicz founded SAQ Performance in 2010, which has helped thousands of athletes in various sports find their own success, with many playing at the collegiate and professional levels, including the NHL and NFL. The former Varsity Football and Tier 1 Hockey coach has been training and mentoring athletes for over 25 years, earning a reputation as an esteemed and highly respected coach, motivator and speaker. His four children competed at NCAA Division I schools including St. Lawrence University, the University of Vermont, UMASS, and the University of Oregon. Rich is a Certified Speed Instructor, USA Hockey Level 5 Certified Instructor, and motivational speaker.
Invited to walk-on to Michigan State University's soon to be national championship hockey team, Gicewicz instead, made a career decision to walk-on to their football team. After earning a full scholarship and becoming a three year starter and four year letter winner, Gicewicz was one of the starting tight ends for the 1987 Big Ten Champion and 1988 Rose Bowl winning Spartans, while finishing the season with an impressive #8 National ranking. After playing in the Cherry Bowl, All American Bowl and Gator Bowl, Gicewicz spent parts of the next four years in the NFL as a free agent Tight End and had stints with the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots.
As a hockey player, Gicewicz won four New York State Tier I Championships, one National Championship, competed at the USA Hockey Olympic Training Center Midget Elite Camp in Colorado Springs, CO and won a Gold Medal in the Empire State Games.
"I have dedicated a substantial part of my career with athletics at every level. My accomplishments have come from years of commitment, dedication and hard work. My philosophy is to teach, guide and motivate young athletes to perform to the best of their abilities and develop into mature, responsible, and confident young adults." - Coach Rich Gicewicz
To book or inquire about a speaking engagement, contact Rich at richardgiz@msn.com or 716.572.7283.
- Former Division I Athlete
- Former Team USA Athlete
- Division I, Division III, and USHL Assistant Coach / Scout
- 16U, 18U, and Prep Head Coach
- 10 year of coaching, mentoring, and advising experience
RJ Gicewicz: President and Head On-Ice Instructor, SAQ Performance
RJ Gicewicz was born and raised in Orchard Park, NY and grew up playing hockey for the West Seneca Wings and Amherst Knights organizations. He attended The Nichols School and played for their Prep team for 3 years, during which time he made the Team USA Select 5 Nations and Ivan Hlinka teams, won the CISAA League Championship, and earned a full athletic scholarship to St. Lawrence University. RJ went on to play for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL for 2 years, then joined the St. Lawrence Hockey roster in the fall of 2015. He dealt with concussions and chronic neck injuries, leading to neck surgery and a forced retirement from the game of hockey. RJ decided to stick with his passion for the game and became a student-assistant coach at St. Lawrence, while earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Psychology. RJ was awarded the coveted Terry Slater Award for Perseverance as both a player and coach. Shortly after graduation, RJ accepted the Assistant Coach position at Division III Fredonia State University, then advanced the following year to Assistant Coach and Director of Scouting for the Fargo Force of the USHL. During that time, he earned a Masters degree in Sports Management from Canisius College.
RJ served as the Nichols School 16U / Varsity Head Coach from 2021-2023, winning back to back NYS High School State Championships. He is now in his third year as the Director of Nichols Boys Hockey and Nichols School 18U Prep Head Coach.
“Our mission is to teach and develop aspiring athletes to reach their full potential as athletes and humans. I strongly believe that mentally healthy and well-rounded athletes develop the tools and capabilities towards reaching their full potential. Our holistic approach, along with our strong work environment, is second to none in the Western New York area and provides athletes with every opportunity to grow and reach their full potential as athletes and humans.”
Over 40 kids and parents volunteering at St. Luke's Church over the holidays
SAQ in the Community
Key to building character and the importance in giving back to the community, SAQ Performance generously volunteers its time to St. Luke's Church, Kids Escaping Drugs, Kensington Lions Club and other important charitable organizations. Please let us know if this something you would like to be involved with.
SAQ Mentoring Program
One of the greatest ways to learn the game is to teach the game. Participating in the SAQ Performance Mentoring program as an older player gives one the opportunity to become a mentor to younger SAQ Performance members. Your role as a leader and sense of responsibility will allow you to help teach, guide and motivate the up and coming athletes in our area. Please let us know if this something you would like to be involved with.
A special thanks to RJ, Carson, Abbey, and Anabel Gicewicz for their help and leadership.