Cullowhee, N.C. – As part of a summer communications internship, Western Carolina senior wide receiver David White conducted interviews with several members of WCU's program and asked each a series of questions to allow Catamount Nation to better know some of the new and returning members of the Catamount football team.
The next installment of the
Q & A with David White is with junior linebacker, No. 58
Giovanni Ricciardi. A product of Clemmons, N.C., and West Forsyth High, Ricciardi enters his fourth season on the Catamount roster, working his way into the lineup on defense and special teams. Over the last three years, he has tallied 13 total tackles including a sack in the home opener last fall against Presbyterian that resulted in a 13-yard loss. He is a three-time SoCon Academic Honor Roll recipient and has twice been named to the Fall Academic All-SoCon team.
Name: Giovanni Ricciardi
Position: Linebacker
If you could play alongside any football legend, past or present, who would it be and why? 
"Luke Kuechly because we're both very intelligent players and I like to model his play style."
Who has some of the best drip on the team?
"CJ Williams"
If you had the chance to switch positions on the field for one game, which position would you choose and why?
"Safety because I would get a longer running start at players than I do from my linebacker position."
Outside of the game of football what is your biggest life goal?
"To one day be a great husband and a father."
What's the most memorable moment you've experienced and what was going through your mind at that moment?
"Making a game-winning tackle on the one-yard line against our rivals in high school. I remember feeling just pure joy because we got the win."
If you got to choose one WCU coach to suit up for a day, who would it be and why?
"Kerwin Bell because he talks like he was a dog back in the day, so I'm ready to see it."
What place would you want to travel to if all expenses were paid?
"Italy."
Who are your Top Three music artists that you listen to?
"Luke Combs, George Strait and NBA Youngboy."
Away from the football field, do you have any hobbies or talents that your fans might be surprised to learn about?
"I love to golf and most people don't know that I love to cook."
What is your favorite restaurant?
"STK"
What advice would you give to young aspiring footballers who dream of making it to where you are today?
"Hit the weight room and work on your 40 times."
Season tickets and season-long game day parking for Western Carolina's 2023 five-game home schedule are on sale now through the Catamount Athletics ticket office, located on the first floor of the Ramsey Center, by phone at (828) 227-2401, or online at
CatamountSports.com/BuyTickets. Single-game ticket sales for each of the five home dates including the home-opening "White Out Whitmire" scheduled for Sept. 9 are available now through each of those same outlets.
