CDS Athlete Has Special Inspiration

At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, junior Dominiq Sicardo is everything a coach would want in a prep athlete.

He's tall but not lanky, thick but not chubby, powerful and precise. It's no wonder he's a star on both the CDS baseball and football teams. And this is a big year for Sicardo as he steps into the primary role at catcher and No. 2 pitcher in the Patriots' rotation, as well as the school's likely starting quarterback in the fall.

"Dominiq has unlimited athletic ability," said Patriots baseball head coach David Clement. "His hand-eye coordination and strength make him an exceptional hitter — his strong, live arm make him very effective at pitcher and catcher."

In the midst of his success, tragedy struck the Sicardo family. The day before the Patriots football team hosted Bradenton Christian on Oct. 14, Sicardo's mother, Diane, died from a brain aneurysm.

Sicardo and his dad, Louis, made the game that Friday, and a moment of silence was observed. Sicardo made a touchdown catch in that game, but returned home to a completely different life.

"It was a shock," said Sicardo, "but everyone would tell me I had to be strong for my younger brother (Angel, age 11).

"It's really tough, not seeing her every day," Sicardo said of his late mother. "She used to come to all of my games; it's a lot different with her not there."

His father was also reeling from the loss.

"I could see it take a toll on my dad," Sicardo said. "He's had to take on a lot more responsibility."

Dominiq had to take on plenty of his own responsibility, too.

Fortunately, the school and the community stepped in to help.

"That Friday, they had a pep rally where they honored my mom," Sicardo said. "They made a banner; a lot of the students and faculty wore black that Friday."

What made an even deeper impression on the young athlete was the outpouring of community support after the tragedy.

"People, some I didn't even know, were coming over offering condolences, bringing covered dishes," he said.

Some say that perhaps one positive to come out of the tragedy was a light on for Sicardo concerning his work ethic. That had been one knock on Sicardo in his budding athletic career, but now, it seems, even that might be changing.

"While he doesn't completely get it yet, his awareness and his receptiveness to the advice we are giving him has changed," Clement said.

Said Patriots football coach Lane McLaughlin: "When that light comes on, he's going to be a Division 1 prospect."

And the attitude shift is exciting his coaches.

"He's a challenging yet exciting player to coach," Clement said.

Sicardo echoed that sentiment.

"You have no idea how excited I am to start spring football," Sicardo said. "I know my mom would have wanted me to reach my goals. I'm more determined now to get to that next level."

Sicardo will lead a 2012 CDS football team that took a 22-point lead on Class 2A state runner-up Admrial Farragut before losing in a 90-point barn-burner.

But first, he'll help guide the Patriots baseball team through its move up to Class 3A this year and into a very tough District 8. And the memory of his mother will help guide him.

"I know she'd want me to finish what she helped me start," Sicardo said.