Macey Cintron || From Tiger to International Stage

Setting oneself apart as an athlete is all about one’s willingness to get uncomfortable. For some athletes, this might look like taking a risk at a crucial point during a game or trying something new in training that challenges their weakest points. For Clemson Softball sophomore Macey Cintron, this looked like taking the opportunity to play for the Puerto Rico national team, fully embracing a new culture, new teammates, and fresh set of experiences on the international stage. Cintron strongly believes that her experiences on the Puerto Rico National Team have played a formative role in her development as an athlete.

“I think that just goes for life in general - you might be nervous to step out of your comfort zone. I think that limits your opportunities,” said Cintron, when asked about what she has learned from her journey through playing with the Puerto Rico team.

Cintron, a decorated right-handed pitcher and utility player who is still early in her collegiate career, was a crucial part of the 2025 ACC Championship and member of the NFCA All-Region First Team. She first got involved with the Puerto Rico National Team at just 13 years old and played for the first time in California on the Junior Olympic team. With dreams of one day playing in the Olympics, Cintron saw this opportunity as a way to mature as an athlete and surround herself with like-minded people.

“I thought it was a good opportunity to play on the international stage, and also playing in the Olympics is a big goal of mine,” said Cintron when discussing her initial motivation to get involved with the team.

Pursuing athletics at the professional level is already a challenging feat in and of itself, not to mention simultaneously embracing the rhythms of a new country and culture. Even with her early experience with the Puerto Rico team, Cintron still recounts the challenges that she faced, both culturally and athletically, on the international stage. While tackling language barriers, cultural adjustments, and adapting to new routines and game traditions, Cintron grew in her confidence as an athlete and learned that there is great progress to be made in stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Last summer, she represented Puerto Rico just after finishing her freshman year of college, making her one of the youngest players on the team. With her initial involvement with the team beginning during her high school career, Cintron was no stranger to playing with seasoned athletes.

“A lot of these players are older and more mature than me,” said Cintron. “So, I had to adapt my game to match what they’re bringing to the game.”

Although competing on the international stage brought its share of challenges, it also proved very rewarding for the Clemson softball player. Being placed in a novel environment and surrounded by unfamiliar teammates and coaches teaches one how to cling to their identity, beliefs, and values, and gives them a new stage on which they can express these important parts of themselves. For athletes, their sport often provides a manner in which they can learn more about themselves and about how they wish to be perceived by the outside world, and this was no different for Cintron during her time with the team.

“I’m really proud to be from there. And also I just think that as a whole, it’s shaped me as a person to be more appreciative of the things I have…going over there and appreciating nature, and the weather, the beaches, how sweet the people are, the food and the culture and things like that, I think is way more important than physical, tangible things,” said Cintron.

Cintron credits her Clemson coach, John Rittman, with his openness and encouragement to the idea of her going to play overseas.

“Not every school will allow you to go play overseas. I’m super grateful that he let me do that,” said Cintron.

One of the greatest assets her experience has allowed her to contribute to Clemson, Cintron believes, is her increased confidence in herself as a player. Being surrounded by mature players provided Cintron with role models who were able to teach her valuable leadership skills and help her broaden her perspective both on and off the field.

“I get to pick up on things that I admire about them and try to convert that into my leadership skills. Whether that’s being a vocal leader, or watching them pre-game, how they warm up and things shaped who I am,” said Cintron.

To other young athletes of multicultural backgrounds who also dream of representing their country at the international level, Cintron charges them to get uncomfortable and not limit themselves. Advancing to the international stage is no easy feat, but as Cintron’s journey shows, hard work and persistent belief in oneself can go a long way.

“Get uncomfortable. Do the hard things, you know, reach out to people, even if it’s a stretch. If you have goals, do everything it takes to reach those goals.”