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]

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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.
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