Volunteer Spotlight: Ricky Ceballos
This March, we’re celebrating the trait of Effort & Drive — the daily commitment to show up, push forward, and raise the standard for yourself and the people around you. Few relationships capture that spirit more clearly than the one between Ricky Ceballos and Holden Trent.
For Ricky, supporting the Goal 13 Foundation is deeply personal. He joined because he wanted to help share Holden’s legacy and support young student‑athletes who are walking a path similar to the one they once shared. As a former goalkeeper at High Point University, Ricky trained beside Holden every day for more than two years — and witnessed firsthand what true effort looks like. Holden’s work ethic showed up in every moment, big or small. Even on lighter training days, he never eased up. He pushed himself, pushed his teammates, and set a standard that others naturally rose to meet. Ricky remembers that intensity well. As fellow goalkeepers, every drill felt like a competition — penalty shootouts, shooting sessions, reaction work. Neither wanted to lose, and that friendly rivalry elevated the entire team.
“He was a natural leader,” Ricky shared. “He led through his actions and set the standard for the rest of us.” But Holden’s drive wasn’t loud or attention‑seeking. It was steady, internal, and deeply rooted in who he was. He didn’t need an audience. In fact, he often worked even harder when no one was watching. That quiet resilience — the ability to reset, refocus, and come back stronger — is what “Character in Action” means to Ricky.
Training alongside Holden shaped Ricky in ways he didn’t fully understand until later. Competing with someone who never took a day off forced him to elevate his own mindset. It taught him accountability, discipline, and the importance of showing up with purpose. When Ricky moved on from High Point, he immediately became a captain on his next team — a role he credits to the lessons he learned from Holden’s example.
Off the field, Holden’s character was just as strong. Ricky still remembers arriving at High Point as the new goalkeeper — direct competition for the starting spot — and being welcomed with open arms. Holden and his fiancée, Brie, picked him up, took him to dinner, and made sure he felt supported. That moment showed Ricky the kind of leader Holden truly was: fiercely competitive, but always genuine, loyal, and grounded in kindness.
Today, Holden’s influence continues to guide Ricky’s approach to his own goals. Seeing Holden reach the MLS — a nearly impossible feat for most goalkeepers — reminded him what relentless effort can achieve. “He deserved it,” Ricky said. “He fought for it every single day.”
Through Goal 13, that same spirit is being passed on to the next generation. Ricky believes effort and drive aren’t optional for student‑athletes — they’re essential. Balancing academics, athletics, and personal growth requires resilience, determination, and a willingness to push yourself even when no one else is watching.
Holden lived those values. And through the foundation, his legacy continues — not just remembered, but lived — in every young athlete learning to chase their goals with heart, discipline, and unwavering drive.