How Amber Kiricoples’ Knee Injuries Led to a New Mission in Athlete Mental Health Advocacy

Approximately 8 million students participate in high school athletics in the U.S., with only about 6.5% going on to compete at NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) schools. Amber Kiricoples ’25, MBA ’26 fell into that elite group when she was recruited to play with Bentley’s women’s lacrosse team in 2021. She came into her rookie season strong, but her grit and determination has been put to the test over the past four years as she faced not one but three devastating knee injuries requiring two surgeries and months of rehab. 

Sitting down with Kiricoples just a month after her third ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear, it’s clear the emotional pain of the injury is just as challenging — if not more — than the physical.  

“Lacrosse was always my outlet, and it was taken away so quickly when I became injured,” Kiricoples says. “At that moment, everything changed, and lacrosse became a stressor. And that breaks my heart.”   

Gaining Ground Off the Field 

A passionate mental health advocate, Kiricoples is transparent about her struggle to adapt her goals from on-field accomplishments to opportunities off the field. She says that giving herself time to navigate the mental lows — and seek help when she was ready — has allowed her to persevere. 

Leading others as captain of the lacrosse team for spring 2025, for example, gave Kiricoples a strong sense of purpose. Competing in this year’s Salvatore J. Stile (’92) Professional Sales Competition — and winning first place in the team category — gave her a platform to apply skills she has learned as a Professional Sales major. 

Her commitment to mental health initiatives has informed her role as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). She hopes that by openly sharing her perspective as a student-athlete managing injuries, she will serve to empower other athletes to feel less alone and rise above challenges.

What drew you to Bentley, and more specifically, the women’s lacrosse program? 

During high school I attended a summer lacrosse camp at Bentley. I loved it and talked to the coach about joining the team. I also knew I wanted to study business, and my guidance counselor recommended Bentley. It’s an amazing school and it fits me perfectly, both academically and athletically. I can't picture myself anywhere else.   

How did you adjust to college, particularly as a student-athlete? 

Our team culture here is one of a kind. One of our team values is family, and that’s been genuine through-and-through. We have seven seniors on the team this season, and we clicked right away when we met as freshmen. It’s been good for us to have that support system to carry us through these four years. We all have different personalities and balance each other out.   

What was your first Bentley lacrosse season like? 

As a freshman, I got to go in and take the draw [when one player from each team competes for possession of the ball to start or restart play], but I didn’t have a lot of playing time otherwise because I didn’t have the experience to be a two-way midfielder just yet. I started out with a small role, but I was happy because I was contributing to the team. I played 14 games and recorded 21 draw controls. 

You experienced an injury in your second season. Can you share more about that? 

Sophomore year is when I really got into lifting and training. I had set a goal to take on a bigger role and earn playing time, so I trained hard the summer before and got much faster and stronger. Then about a month into the pre-season, I tore my ACL during the last drive of practice. I remember the exact play: I was on a fast break drill and got hit from the side. I felt a pop in my knee and went down.  

I was crushed. The following day I found out I tore my ACL, and the surgery and rehab would require me to take a year off from playing — which was something I couldn’t wrap my head around.   

What strategies helped improve your mental health after the injuries? 

I had my friends and family — my mom shows up for me every single day — but I tend to push people away when I’m hurting. It’s hard for me to accept support. 

I did lean heavily on my athletic trainer. There were days I couldn’t even bring myself to speak. I would go to rehab, and she would let me sit and feel whatever I was feeling. She was my safe space. 

I also felt comfortable talking to a teammate who was recovering from an injury at the same time, and she had torn her ACL in the past so she knew what I was going through.  

It took a while, but I finally got back on my feet. Even though I couldn’t play, coach had me warm up the goalie before games and we built a special bond. I also transitioned into being a positive energy on the sideline. I embraced that role and being able to support the team in this way provided me with a different perspective. One of the senior captains ultimately handed me the “Bentley on three” cheer before each game. At that point, I knew I could be a leader.  

How did your mental health play a role in your physical recovery? 

I love the word “resilient.” Even though I was devastated, there was something in me that wanted to stay dedicated to working hard to recover. And that’s exactly what happened. 

In fall of 2023, I was studying abroad at Bond University in Australia and had to continue rehab. I got to train with the Gold Coast Knee Group alongside some terrific Australian athletes. 

I came back even stronger for the 2024 season. Before my second injury, I had eight goals and 12 draw controls; nine caused turnovers and eight ground balls. In a win over Molloy University, I had my first hat trick [when an individual player scores three or more goals in a single game]. I finally got a chance to be the athlete that I was. I got to show everything. And then a game later, I got hurt.  

My MRI showed a meniscus tear, which requires less recovery time so I was confident I could get through it with ease compared to my ACL injury. Unfortunately, during surgery it was discovered that my ACL was torn as well. Hearing the news and accepting another yearlong recovery was really hard for me and my mental health took a toll.  

How did you manage the mental and physical aspect of suffering a second season-ending injury? 

I was crushed, but I was also trying to understand how I hurt my knee again. I was at my peak and earned a starting spot and playing time. After the surgery, I didn’t want to talk to anybody; I wasn’t communicating with the people who really wanted to help me. 

I remember the turning point came when my coach pulled me aside and told me that my positive energy was missed; that even if I wasn’t on the field, I could help guide and motivate my teammates. So, I tried to think about that. I embraced my role on the sideline and was a big culture player for us. I did everything I could to be a positive vocal leader to support my teammates and show the underclassman how important sideline energy is.  

You mentioned that lacrosse was your outlet. How did you find other ways to stay motivated? 

What first got me out of my room after my injury was the fact that I didn’t want to fall behind in classes. I knew I wanted to be at Bentley and needed to keep up with academics, so I put my energy into that. 

That spring I took my first sales class and discovered that sales would be a career for me. So that was an outlet for me to be excited about the future.  

I was also working for the Bentley Athletics marketing staff and I was an executive board member of SAAC — and had a goal to become president. 

It was a learning curve to shift some focus away from lacrosse, but I was proud of myself for being able to shift some of my heart and energy into academics and extracurriculars.   

This spring, you were shocked when the other knee gave out during practice. How have you been managing since receiving the devastating news of a third ACL tear?  

I’ve really been hurting this third time. For a few weeks I couldn’t talk to people. I couldn’t go to practice. I couldn’t go into the locker room. I just couldn’t do it; and that’s not like me not to show up for my teammates. But I’ve realized that now I have to show up for myself and take care of my mental health. And everyone understands. 

This time I’m seeing a sports psychologist, and she has been like an angel. Everything is starting to click for me in terms of understanding my mental health and where I’m at. I should have been seeing a sports psychologist sooner, but I’ve always been someone who loads up my plate and says, “I’m good.” 

What is keeping you busy in your senior year? 

This season I was voted to be a captain, even though I had so little playing time. That was meaningful because it spoke to my ability to be a leader and good teammate.  

I’m also serving as SAAC president, and I’ve been able to help with initiatives like Think Pink breast cancer fundraiser and a partnership with the Waltham Boys and Girls Club where different teams visit the club on Fridays to run clinics.  

Being injured also freed up time for me to participate in Bentley’s annual Salvatore J. Stile (‘92) Professional Sales Competition. I took first place in the team category.  

Something I’m really proud of is starting a Bentley chapter of Morgan’s Message, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving mental health among student-athletes, raise awareness and help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community. 

Any advice for student-athletes facing adversity? 

It’s OK to ask for help and to accept support. Be grateful. And understand that everyone has their own battle. 

I’m still determining what I can handle and what I can’t. In terms of taking care of my mental health, if it’s too much for me I step away. It hits me at random times. 

I hope that by sharing my experience, it sends a message about the potential to come out stronger on the other end. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without going through what I’ve gone through. 

What’s next for you? 

I’m planning to move to Boston with teammates and work full time as a business development representative in sales while pursuing my MBA at Bentley part time. Wherever I end up full time, I will continue to look for ways to continue to be a positive vocal leader.  

Bentley has a huge spot in my heart, and I don’t want to step away just yet. In addition to my MBA, I plan to stay connected with SAAC, the Athletics marketing and ticketing staff members and the Professional Sales Program. I will always be a proud Bentley alum and mental health advocate.