Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, STCC student excels on and off court

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Whether he’s playing on the basketball court or studying in the classroom, Springfield Technical Community College student Colin Rice pushes himself to succeed and motivate others.

Rice’s journey to college-level athletics is particularly inspiring as he manages the demands of being a full-time student and a high-level athlete while living with Type 1 diabetes.

Diagnosed at 2 years old, Rice learned from a young age the importance of balancing his health with his passion for basketball. He started playing with a toddler-sized hoops set when he was 3. He competed in high school and at diabetic camps he attended as a teen.

In addition to excelling on the court, he has stayed focused on his academics. He graduated from Grandview Preparatory School in Florida with a 4.3 GPA.

At 19, in the fall of 2024, Rice came to STCC from his hometown of Boca Raton, Fla., where he lives with his mother. While Springfield is a long way from home, Rice felt a connection to the coaches and community at STCC.

Assistant basketball coach Jonathan Diamond discovered Rice after watching a video of him on social media playing basketball. He raved about the prospect to head coach Alfredo Cardona. They decided to reach out to see if he was interested in coming to Springfield. The coaches arranged a Zoom meeting to talk with Rice and his mother.

“They wanted to make sure that it felt like home,” Rice said. “They knew that coming all the way from Florida to Massachusetts – especially with it only being me and my mom for so long – that it would be a big jump.”

Rice said he felt good knowing STCC would offer him a home away from home. He is living in housing at American International College. STCC partners with AIC to offer students affordable housing, dining services and other resources available on both campuses. For the STCC student athletes who are living in housing at AIC, this allows them to have the full college experience.

He’s a big advocate about his plight. He doesn’t see it as a weakness. He sees it as a strength. Alfredo Cardona, Head men's basketball coach at STCC

Rice traveled to Springfield to meet with the coaches and see the STCC campus. At STCC, Rice’s resilience and determination have earned him recognition both as a key player for the basketball team – he is captain of the team – and as a dedicated student in the classroom.

“They said, ‘We want to make this feel like a family, and we got your back. Whatever we can do for you, we will do,’” Rice said. “And they definitely held up to that.”

For Rice, one of the biggest challenges is managing his blood sugar levels during practice and games. Type 1 diabetes, a chronic condition, is when the pancreas makes little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone the body uses to allow sugar (glucose) to enter cells to produce energy.

Physical activity can cause fluctuations that, if not carefully monitored, could lead to serious complications. He regularly checks his glucose levels, making adjustments as needed to ensure he stays healthy and able to perform at his best.

Despite the challenges, Rice hasn’t let his condition stand in the way of his goals. He needs an injection of insulin four to six times per day. He will consume a sugary drink if his glucose level drops.

Rice, who is six foot, seven inches, practices with the team six days a week, Gatorade and insulin kit nearby. He looks forward to the start of the season on Nov. 7 with an away game at Quincy College.

“I try to prepare as much as I can before practice,” Rice said. “I make sure I’m good. I check my finger (for glucose levels). I make sure I have Gatorade so I don’t go low.”

He admits it can be frustrating.

“A lot of times I need to sit out because I’m low,” he said, referring to his glucose level. “I think, ‘Man, I really want to go out there and play!’ But you have to think of the bigger picture. Your health is the most important thing in this moment. You’ll be able to go out there. It’s not like you’re done for the rest of the practice. Take your time, take your Gatorade and you’ll be good.”

He says of his condition: “I don’t want this to be an excuse. I want this to be something I can use.”

Vice President of Student Affairs Darcey Kemp said Rice exemplifies the resilience and determination that STCC celebrates.

“His ability to excel both academically and athletically while managing the challenges of Type 1 diabetes is truly inspiring,” Kemp said. “Colin Rice shows us that with hard work and a positive mindset, students can achieve their goals. We are thrilled to have him join our community.”

His teammates and coaches admire his discipline and work ethic. Coach Cardona speaks of Rice with a true appreciation and respect for his determination to excel despite his condition.

“Diabetes is prevalent in my family, so I’m very familiar with it.” Cardona said. “I had the right concerns and the right education (about diabetes). I made his mom and him feel comfortable because we’ve been around it.”

Cardona said he’s excited that Rice chose STCC. “He’s a big advocate about his plight. He doesn’t see it as a weakness. He sees it as a strength,” Cardona said. “Not only is he a great player; he is a great motivator and competitor.”

Cardona said other student athletes come from out of state. They might choose STCC not only to play basketball, but to take advantage of the high-quality academic programs in health care, manufacturing, business, social services and liberal arts. The only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC offers dozens of degree and certificate programs, some of which cannot be found outside of the region.

Rice is studying general business at STCC. As he looks toward his future, his sights are set on continuing his basketball career at a four-year institution while finishing his degree. With his determination, both on the court and in the classroom, there’s no doubt that Rice will continue to succeed.

“You can really do anything you want if you put your mind to it,” Rice said. “It’s a cliché saying but it’s definitely something that I live by. I would like to open up and explain to people that having diabetes is not the end of the world. I would like to be a beacon and show people that this is something you can do. It shouldn’t hold you back. Just stick with it and take what life throws at you.”

Watch a video of Colin Rice speaking about managing Type 1 diabetes as a STCC student.

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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