Jeff Wittman

Last updated

Jeff Wittman
Position Fullback
Personal information
Born: (1971-03-04) March 4, 1971 (age 53)
Rochester, New York, U.S.
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight210 lb (95 kg)
Career history
College Ithaca (1989–1992)
Bowl games1991 Stagg Bowl
High school Gates Chili (NY)
Career highlights and awards
College Football Hall of Fame (2013)

Jeffrey M. Wittman (born March 4, 1971) is an American high school teacher and former gridiron football fullback.

Biography

Wittman attended Gates Chili High School in Gates, New York, [1] where he competed in football and wrestling. [2] In football, he was a two-way player as a tailback and linebacker. [3] While he expressed a desire to play in NCAA Division I, [3] he went on to play college football at the NCAA Division III level. As a fullback for Ithaca College during the 1989–1992 seasons, [1] Wittman was named a first-team All-American for Division III three times: [4] 1990, [5] 1991, [6] and 1992. [7] He was a member of the 1991 Ithaca Bombers football team that won the Division III championship, [1] rushing for 159 yards and three touchdowns in the title game. [8]

At the completion of his college career, Wittman held Ithaca records for touchdowns in a single season (19 in 1992), total points scored in a single season (114 in 1992), career rushing touchdowns (44), career touchdowns (45), career total points scored (270), and career rushing yards (3410); through the 2022 season, he continues to hold Ithaca records for most rushing yards in a single game (272 yards on November 14, 1992), [9] average rushing yards-per-game for a season (134.3 in 1990), and career playoff points scored (68). [10]

Following his collegiate career, Wittman became a teacher and coach within the Gates Chili Central School District in his hometown. [1]

In 2001, Wittman was inducted to the athletic hall of fame at Ithaca College. [11] In 2013, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. [1] In 2014, he was inducted the athletic hall of fame at Gates Chili High School, [12] and the walk of fame at Frontier Field in Rochester, New York. [13] Wittman's college head coach was Jim Butterfield, also an inductee of the College Football Hall of Fame. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ernie Nevers</span> American athlete and coach (1902–1976)

Ernest Alonzo Nevers, nicknamed "Big Dog", was an American football and baseball player and football coach. Widely regarded as one of the best football players in the first half of the 20th century, he played as a fullback and was a triple-threat man known for his talents in running, passing, and kicking. He was inducted with the inaugural classes of inductees into both the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963. He was also named in 1969 to the NFL 1920s All-Decade Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roger Craig (American football)</span> American football player (born 1960)

Roger Timothy Craig is an American former football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders and Minnesota Vikings. Craig went to four Pro Bowls and won three Super Bowls with the 49ers. Craig was the first NFL player to have 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season. Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey are the only other players to have accomplished that feat. He currently works as the VP of Business Development at TIBCO Software.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LaDainian Tomlinson</span> American football player (born 1979)

LaDainian Tarshane Tomlinson is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. After a successful college football career with the TCU Horned Frogs, the San Diego Chargers selected him as the fifth overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft. He spent nine years with the Chargers, earning five Pro Bowl appearances, three Associated Press first-team All-Pro nominations, and two NFL rushing titles. Tomlinson was also voted the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2006 after breaking the record for touchdowns in a single season. He played two further seasons with the New York Jets, before retiring. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

Thomas Dean Rathman is an American former professional football player who was a fullback for the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keith Byars</span> American football player (born 1963)

Keith Alan Byars is an American sports broadcaster and former professional football player. He played as a fullback and tight end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and New York Jets. He was selected in the first round by the Eagles in the 1986 NFL draft. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

James Solomon "Big Jim" Nance was an American professional football player who was a fullback with the Boston Patriots during their days in the American Football League (AFL). He was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2009. He played college football for the Syracuse Orangemen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Taylor (fullback)</span> American football player (1935–2018)

James Charles Taylor was an American professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons, with the Green Bay Packers from 1958 to 1966 and with the expansion New Orleans Saints in 1967. With the Packers, Taylor was invited to five straight Pro Bowls and won four NFL championships, as well as a victory in the first Super Bowl. He was recognized as the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) after winning the rushing title in 1962, beating out Jim Brown. An aggressive player and fluent trash talker, Taylor developed several personal rivalries throughout his career, most notably with New York Giants linebacker Sam Huff. This confrontational attitude, combined with his tenacious running style, a penchant for contact, and ability to both withstand and deliver blows, earned him a reputation as one of the league's toughest players.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete Pihos</span> American football player and coach (1923–2011)

Peter Louis Pihos was an American football player and coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clarke Hinkle</span> American football player (1909–1988)

William Clarke Hinkle was an American football fullback and linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL), also playing occasionally as a placekicker and punter. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of its second class of inductees in 1964.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuffy Leemans</span> American football player (1912–1979)

Alphonse Emil "Tuffy" Leemans was an American professional football player who was a fullback and halfback who played on both offense and defense for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978 and was named in 1969 to the NFL 1930s All-Decade Team.

Lorenzo Maurice White is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston Oilers (1988–1994) and Cleveland Browns (1995). He was voted to the Pro Bowl in 1992, recording his best season with 1,226 rushing yards and 1,867 yards from scrimmage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Price</span> American football player (1925–1979)

Edward Joseph Price Jr. was an American professional football player who was a running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football at Tulane University, he played six seasons with the Giants. Price was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1982.

Frederick F. Willis III was an American professional football player who was a running back for six seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Oilers. He played college football for the Boston College Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ken Strong</span> American football player

Elmer Kenneth Strong was an American professional football player who was a halfback and fullback. He also played minor league baseball. Considered one of the greatest all-around players in the early decades of the game, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1957 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967 and was named to the NFL 1930s All-Decade Team.

The 1921 Cornell Big Red football team was an American football team that represented Cornell University as an independent during the 1921 college football season. In its second season under head coach Gil Dobie, Cornell compiled an 8–0 record, shut out five of eight opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 392 to 21, culminating in an invitation to participate in the 1922 Rose Bowl game. The 1921 season was part of a 26-game winning streak that continued until October 1924 and included national championship claims for 1921, 1922, and 1923.

The 1991 Ithaca Bombers football team represented Ithaca College as an independent during the 1991 NCAA Division III football season. In their 22nd season under head coach Jim Butterfield, the Bombers compiled a 12–1 record. The team's only loss was to Division II Springfield. The team participated in the NCAA Division III playoffs, defeating Glassboro State in the first round, Union in the quarterfinals, Susquehanna in the semifinals, and Dayton in the Stagg Bowl to win the Division III national championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete Pifer</span> American football player (born 1944)

Pete Pifer is a former American football fullback who played who played for Oregon State from 1964 to 1966. He was the first player in Pacific Athletic Conference history to rush for 1,000 yards twice and won both the W. J. Voit Memorial Trophy and the Pop Warner Trophy in 1966.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Kinch</span> Canadian football player (1954–2022)

John David Kinch was a Canadian football player who was a running back and fullback for five seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Rough Riders and Saskatchewan Roughriders. He played college football in the United States at Youngstown State and is an inductee to their hall of fame. He later served as a coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1955 Alfred Saxons football team</span> American college football season

The 1955 Alfred Saxons football team was an American football team that represented Alfred University of Alfred, New York, as an independent during the 1955 college football season. In their 15th season under head coach Alex Yunevich, the Saxons compiled a perfect 8–0 record, shut out six of eight opponents, and outscored all opponents by a total of 190 to 21. The team rejected a "feeler" from officials of the Refrigerator Bowl.

The 1965 Ithaca Bombers football team was an American football team that represented Ithaca College as an independent during the 1965 NCAA College Division football season. In their eighth season under head coach Richard S. Lyon, the Bombers compiled an 8–0 record and outscored opponents by a total of 204 to 76. It was the first, and remains the only, perfect season in Ithaca football history.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Jeff Wittman". footballfoundation.org. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  2. "Sports Excellence". Democrat and Chronicle . Rochester, New York. June 25, 1989. p. 11E. Retrieved October 13, 2023 via newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 Moriello, John (September 23, 1988). "Gates tailback gains respect as 'bull' back". Democrat and Chronicle . Rochester, New York. p. 3D. Retrieved October 13, 2023 via newspapers.com.
  4. "Ithaca College pair selected for Division III All-America squad". The Ithaca Journal . December 17, 1992. p. 5C. Retrieved October 13, 2023 via newspapers.com.
  5. "IC star named All-American". The Ithaca Journal . December 20, 1990. p. 1B. Retrieved October 13, 2023 via newspapers.com.
  6. "Bombers' fullback honored". Press & Sun-Bulletin . Binghamton, New York. December 19, 1991. p. 2C. Retrieved October 13, 2023 via newspapers.com.
  7. "IC's Wittman: best Upstate". The Ithaca Journal . December 5, 1992. p. 1B. Retrieved October 13, 2023 via newspapers.com.
  8. Fleischman, Tom (December 16, 1991). "Stagg (cont'd)". The Ithaca Journal . p. 4B. Retrieved October 13, 2023 via newspapers.com.
  9. "Back's 272 yards gives IC playoff daylight". Press & Sun-Bulletin . Binghamton, New York. November 15, 1992. p. 9C. Retrieved October 13, 2023 via newspapers.com.
  10. "Ithaca College Football Record Book" (PDF). Ithaca College Athletics. August 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2023 via ithaca.edu.
  11. "Jeffrey M. Wittman". ithaca.edu. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  12. "Past Hall of Fame Honorees". gateschili.org. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  13. Mandelaro, Jeff (June 10, 2014). "Frontier Field Walk of Fame". Democrat and Chronicle . Rochester, New York. p. D3. Retrieved October 13, 2023 via newspapers.com.
  14. "Jim Butterfield". footballfoundation.org. Retrieved October 13, 2023.