What started as a passion for soccer handed down from father to son, Checchia extended it to an entire community. He has spent most of his adult life providing playing opportunities for the residents of Frederick County, first by running a Mason-Dixon League team, then by building a private soccer park at his farm, and ultimately by being the owner/operator of Frederick Indoor Soccer Center, where thousands of youth and adults played annually.

The son of immigrant parents, Checchia learned the sport from his Italian father and that love was further developed at Frederick High School where he was a three-year varsity player. He became the first men’s soccer player to be inducted into the Frederick Community College Hall of Fame.