One of the all-time greatest soccer players to don the cleats at Bridgewater State, Richard Carreiro excelled on the pitch as a four-year letterman from 1956 to 1959.  Nicknamed "The Cannon" due to his vicious shot, Richard scored an impressive 70 goals and added 35 assists in his collegiate career. While a student at New Bedford High School in the early 50's, Richard was solely responsible for resurrecting soccer as a sport at the school. He captained the New Bedford High School soccer team his senior year, and, at the age of 18, was the youngest soccer player to play "Big League Soccer" east of the Mississippi.

In 1952, before attending college, Richard entered the military.  While in the military, he graduated from the U.S. Army Leadership School in 1952 at Fort Knox and the Army Instructors Physical Training School and Supervisors Course in 1953 as a member of the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg.  He also graduated from Ranger School and captained the U.S. Army Soccer Team in Augsburg, Germany. Richard still holds the Army record for squat jumps with 152. 

After serving in the armed forces he went on to attend Bridgewater Teachers College, now obviously know as Bridgewater State College. After receiving his Bridgewater education, Richard taught at New Bedford High school for 37 years.

Richard passed away in September of 2014.  He was married to his wife, Leonara, for 56 years, and they raised two children, Thomas and Paul.