Millersville

Described as an “exceptional leader who brings emotion and enthusiasm to every game he plays,” and a “hard-hitter” who played the game with “all-out hustle,” Lee Rizzotto, a two-time team defensive MVP, helped Millersville to a PSAC East title in 1998 and an NCAA Playoff appearance in his senior year of 1999.  

A tackling machine, Rizzotto was voted All-PSAC East, All-ECAC First Team and Daktronics All-Northeast Region First Team as a junior and as a senior. He led the team in tackles three seasons in a row, and in 1999 he delivered an incredible 122 tackles and 13 ½ sacks—a mark that remains tied for fifth all-time. Rizzotto finished his Millersville career ranked fourth in total tackles, third in sacks with 28 ½, and second in fumble recoveries (7).  

Rizzotto recorded at least 12 tackles for loss each season from 1997-99. In his time as a starter, the Marauders posted a 24-8 record. After totaling 30 tackles, 7 ½ TFL and 3 ½ sacks as a rookie, Rizzotto recorded 74 stops, 12 TFL, four sacks and three fumble recoveries as a sophomore. In his first All-PSAC East and All-Region season of 1998, Rizzotto tied for eighth in the PSAC in tackles (87) and recorded 12 TFL, five sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception. He recorded double-digit tackles five times and was named PSAC East Defensive Player of the Week twice as the Marauders won the PSAC East title.  

Rizzotto was tremendous as a senior, ranking second in the PSAC with 122 tackles, fifth in tackles for loss and third in sacks. A team captain, he helped lead Millersville to the NCAA Playoffs. In the first round, The Marauders defeated Shepherd 21-14 behind Rizzotto’s seven stops, three tackles for loss and one sack. Rizzotto delivered another sack and seven more tackles in the regional final against IUP. Rizzotto recorded at least one sack in 10 of the team’s 12 games that season and totaled double-digit tackles seven times.  Additionally, Rizzotto played on both sides of the ball his senior year, recording three receptions at tight end.

In 1999, Rizzotto was named GTE Academic All-District. A PSAC Scholar-Athlete, Rizzotto graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in special education. Rizzotto returned to his hometown of Allentown where he served as a special education teacher at Parkland High School. He earned a master’s degree in classroom technology from Wilkes in 2010, and then added a second master’s degree in school counseling from Kutztown in 2020. He now serves as a school counselor at PHS.  Rizzotto is happily married to his wife, Stacey. He also is also the proud father of his son, Vito, and daughter, Adrianna.