Jeff Wittman
| Position | Fullback |
|---|---|
| Personal information | |
| Born: | March 4, 1971 Rochester, New York, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College | Ithaca (1989–1992) |
| Bowl games | 1991 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[edit]
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]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e "Jeff Wittman". footballfoundation.org. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ "Sports Excellence". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. June 25, 1989. p. 11E. Retrieved October 13, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "IC star named All-American". The Ithaca Journal. December 20, 1990. p. 1B. Retrieved October 13, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Bombers' fullback honored". Press & Sun-Bulletin. Binghamton, New York. December 19, 1991. p. 2C. Retrieved October 13, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "IC's Wittman: best Upstate". The Ithaca Journal. December 5, 1992. p. 1B. Retrieved October 13, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Fleischman, Tom (December 16, 1991). "Stagg (cont'd)". The Ithaca Journal. p. 4B. Retrieved October 13, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Ithaca College Football Record Book" (PDF). Ithaca College Athletics. August 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2023 – via ithaca.edu.
- ^ "Jeffrey M. Wittman". ithaca.edu. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ "Past Hall of Fame Honorees". gateschili.org. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Jim Butterfield". footballfoundation.org. Retrieved October 13, 2023.