Impact Of A Scholarship: Richard Di Pietro

When the University of Maryland offered Richard Di Pietro a scholarship to wrestle for their institution, he considered the wonderful opportunity an immediate "no-brainer." But, he firmly believes people underestimate how great of a school Maryland truly is.

"I applied early to Maryland and didn't get accepted. So, the opportunity that presented itself later on because of my athleticism was the biggest piece and anything helped," Di Pietro said.

Staying local while representing a school that creates and sustains close-knit environments for its athletes was essential for the Silver Spring, Md., native. But, for Di Pietro, the school that stood out to him for exemplifying stellar academic focuses and an inspiring athletic atmosphere was the University of Maryland, and he instantly knew he wanted to be a part of Head Coach Pat Santoro's wrestling team.

Although Di Pietro grew up on the football field, he later felt a different instinct and decided to pursue wrestling instead.

Wrestling was not Di Pietro's initial plan. However, when Di Pietro was looking to participate in a winter sport during his freshman year at James Blake Hubert high school, he discovered a newfound interest in wrestling. In Di Pietro's sophomore year of high school, he won 28 wrestling matches. Before wrestling became the central focus of Di Pietro's athletic journey, he was enamored with football. Although wrestling had never crossed Di Pietro's mind before high school, he developed an even stronger passion for the sport as he moved throughout his high school career, ultimately leading to him transitioning to Maryland's thirty-six-man varsity wrestling roster in 2006.

While football was Di Pietro's initial love in high school, wrestling ultimately brought him to Terp Nation. Through his experiences, Di Pietro emphasized that the nature of wrestling is unique in that it can expose you for the better or worse. From that profound realization, Di Pietro knew wrestling was the sport for him.

Di Pietro's father, Richard Di Pietro I, often told his son, "you have to be a little crazy to wrestle." This was a catchphrase that Richard Di Pietro soon found out for himself.

"The idea of wrestling in college never appeared to me. I connected with the Maryland coaching staff and the rest is history," Di Pietro said.

Despite Di Pietro's growing passion for wrestling, he faced several injuries during his career. 

"I got hurt a lot. During my junior year of high school, I tore my left shoulder in the first wrestling tournament of the year and the doctor immediately recommended rehab," Di Pietro said.

Di Pietro is extremely grateful for the nurturing care he received throughout his recovery process. For that reason, injuries did not discourage him because of his unwavering support system from everyone from the wrestling program coaching staff and trainers to the doctors and surgeons to his family and friends.

"Dr. Craig Bennet was just an awesome guy. Definitely grateful for him. Having someone, a surgeon, who cares about you to that extent is pretty calming when you're facing multiple surgeries. Maryland's trainers really embodied the coaching staff. You couldn't sit down and talk to those guys and not feel like they were family," Di Pietro said.

Coaches Pat Santoro, Todd Beckerman, and Brad Dillon are three individuals who quickly helped Di Pietro flourish by teaching him valuable life lessons and by becoming a significant part of not only his wrestling tenure on the mat but his life in general. Overcoming tough and unexpected challenges was never easy, but Maryland's coaching staff made the journey much more rewarding. 

"When you have to work that hard and face adversity, it gives you the confidence that they were looking out for you. College athletics is a business for them but it never felt that way."

Di Pietro viewed wrestling as an outlet for all other responsibilities he had to contend with as a student-athlete. He also noted the go-getter-like mentality that he was able to foster because of wrestling. 

"Even through all the injuries, I still wouldn't change a thing. I don't think I would have the mentality or work ethic today, if it weren't for wrestling," Di Pietro said.

The close bonds formed through wrestling are among the most significant aspects Di Pietro appreciates most. 

"Those times in College Park were great. I loved my teammates. Academics were great. Being able to learn and invest in others was amazing. You don't get to choose your family, but you do get to choose your friends. My best friend, Jerry Afari, came through wrestling. We fought through injuries and multiple surgeries. Wrestling is a really tight-knit sport. If you're putting that work side-by-side, it creates a bond."

After Di Pietro earned his Bachelor's degree in criminology and criminal justice in 2010, he earned his Executive Master's of Business Administration from the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business in 2017.

Terps Wrestling has made an incredible impact on Di Pietro's life. Di Pietro is deeply proud of his team's accomplishments, including earning the ACC Sportsmanship award and being crowned ACC champions for two consecutive years, 2008 and 2009. Additionally, the Maryland varsity wrestling team became ranked as the second-best NCAA finish in program history by securing 47.5 points and placing tenth in the nation at the 2009 NCAA tournament at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.

Di Pietro is a board member of The M Club, Wrestling Alumni Club, and Maryland Made Mentor Program. In addition, he continues to be involved with the wrestling community while dedicating much of his time to giving back. Aside from Maryland athletics, he serves as a board member for Boys & Girls Club and Wrestling to Beat the Streets DC.

"Being a Terp, let alone being a wrestler, definitely takes on a level of pride. If you can get through wrestling, everything else in life becomes easy."

"My time at Maryland made me who I am today and ultimately laid the foundation upon which I built my life. A life that wouldn't be possible without their generosity."