Kean University

James Riccitelli played just two seasons for the Kean baseball program, and those two seasons were separated by a year of injury. Nevertheless, Riccitelli was able to maximize his two seasons in uniform and become one of the more honored players in the program's history.

Riccitelli, a shortstop/pitcher, shattered a school record in 1974 by batting .478, the sixth highest average in the nation that year, and added 11 runs batted in. He also took to the mound for the squad's toughest games that year, posting a 2-3 record with a 2-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He copped team Most Valuable Player honors after the season.

After sitting out the 1975 campaign with a broken leg suffered in the preseason, Riccitelli repeated his MVP effort in 1976 by recording hits in a club-record 18 consecutive games on his way to a .447 average and leading the squad to a 14-8 mark. His .447 average earned him the Rawlings Sporting Goods Big Stick Award, presented to the player with the region's highest batting average. A first team All-New Jersey State College Athletic Conference and second team All-District choice, Riccitelli did not pitch in 1976, preferring instead to concentrate on his infield duties.

Riccitelli bypassed his senior season after being signed by Major League Baseball's Baltimore Orioles, becoming the first Kean player to sign a professional baseball contract.

Riccitelli earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education from Kean in 1980.