About

Former NFL Free agent Tight End
Stand out Michigan State University football player
Former football walk-on awarded full scholarship
Played in and won prestigious Rose Bowl
25 years coaching/training/mentoring athletes
Highly respected former hockey and football coach
Level 5 USA Hockey Certified Hockey Coach

Rich Gicewicz - Founder SAQ Performance

Welcome to SAQ Performance. Founded in 2010 by Buffalo native Rich Gicewicz, a former professional football player and highly respected, well known varsity football and hockey coach as well as a USA Hockey Level 5 Certified Instructor. He is a highly touted youth motivator and has been coaching, training, mentoring athletes of all ages on and off the ice for over 25 years, with many of his athletes having tremendous success moving on to play collegiate and professional sports, including the NHL and NFL. His 4 children have greatly benefited from these programs and all have or are currently competing at the Division 1 level. RJ and Carson with the St. Lawrence University Men's Hockey program, Carson continuing at the University of Massachusetts, and Abbey and Anabel with the University of Vermont Woman's Lacrosse program.

"I have dedicated a substantial part of my professional and athletic career involved with athletics at every level of the game. 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."

As a hockey player, Gicewicz won four New York State Tier I Hockey Championships, won a Tier I National Championship as Assistant Captain and leading scorer, won a Gold Medal in the Empire State Games as Captain and leading scorer and was also invited to compete at the USA Hockey Midget Elite Training Camp in Colorado Springs, CO.

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 with the Spartans, Gicewicz was one of the starting tight ends for the 1987 Big Ten Champion and 1988 Rose Bowl winning Spartans who beat USC and finished 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. Upon retirement from professional football, Gicewicz has dedicated his life to helping others on and off the field.

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 the Director of Nichols Boys Youth 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.