Lakeland University Athletics

Alex Bitto’s athletic career at Lakeland College may not have turned out the way he envisioned when he stepped on the school’s campus in 1983.

A native of Wildwood, Ill., Bitto came to Lakeland after attending Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, Ill. He was recruited by former Lakeland head coach football Monte Cater to be a punter.

But Bitto didn’t make his mark at Lakeland kicking the football. Instead, he would prove his worth in many other ways during a career that has led to his being named to the Lakeland College Athletics Hall of Fame.

In four years as a wide receiver from 1983-86, Bitto finished with 113 receptions for 1,612 yards, marks that both were second in school history at that time. He tied single-game records for receptions and touchdowns and led the Muskies in receptions and receiving yards in three of his four years.

Bitto was a three-year team captain, and also was named all-conference as a junior and the team’s Rookie of the Year and honorable mention all-conference as a freshman.

“What’s crazy is, I almost remember it all, and it’s been awhile,” Bitto said.

He vividly recalls a game at Concordia River Forest where he caught three touchdown passes, which tied a single-game record. “The entire day, I didn’t get tackled,” Bitto said. “Every play I was either in the end zone or stepped out of bounds. I felt like I worked real hard (that game), but didn’t even get my uniform dirty.”

Bitto’s individual success complemented a great deal of team success. He was a member of Lake Michigan Conference championship teams in 1985 and 1986, and in his four-year career the Muskies finished with a 26-11 record.

“We had some really talented players, but a lot of tough kids, too,” he said. “We had really strong camaraderie, and that kind of separated us (from other teams) in some ways.

“We played a really unique brand of football, very physical offensively and defensively. We didn’t throw a ton, but we had a lot of talent in the backfield, and our defense was awesome. It was neat for me because I got to hold on extra points, too, so it allowed me to be more involved in special teams. Sophomore year I did some kick returning...it felt like I played a part in everything, which was really rewarding.”

Bitto said the players believed in what Cater taught which, combined with the individual friendships, spelled success. “

We took preparation for the game pretty seriously,” Bitto said. “We practiced hard, and we were really accountable to one another as far as effort and how we approached the game. We did a good job as a group limiting distractions. There were so many good players on those teams that maximum effort was never in question. If maximum effort wasn’t given on every play, you were going to stick out, and that wasn’t going to happen.”

Bitto also was a member of Lakeland’s baseball team for four years. Playing primarily as an infielder and pitcher, he was a member of teams in 1985 and 1986 that won LMC titles. As a junior, he posted a 4-0 record pitching and was named All-LMC.

Being a two-sport athlete was not easy, but also was not uncommon for Bitto or Lakeland at this time.

“That’s what I also did in high school,” he said. “For me, playing wide receiver and then baseball lent itself to being a little more doable. It wasn’t like an offensive lineman where I had to gain a ton of weight or was demanding like that.

“The other thing is, ‘Moose’ Woltzen was the athletic director at the time, and he promoted the idea of getting involved in stuff. He promoted the idea of playing two sports, and Coach Cater was willing to share athletes. It was challenging, but I think that came from Moose’s leadership. And I never felt like it was too much. Baseball season was always a challenge with the weather especially, but it was a lot of fun.”

While at Lakeland, Bitto met Kelly, his future wife, who spent her first year and a half at Lakeland before transferring to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

After graduating from Lakeland in 1987, Bitto went on to get his master’s degree from Northern Illinois University in special education. He was also certified as a school administrator in the state of Illinois.

He has served in administration in high schools in Illinois, and also coached high school football for nine years. In 2003, he was part of the staff at Oswego High School when it won a state championship, and most recently he served as head coach for four years at Hinsdale South High School, where he currently serves as director of deans.

“It’s quite an honor to be selected for the Lakeland College Hall of Fame,” Bitto said. “It’s very easy for me to feel that way because so many positive, wonderful things have happened to me as a result of going to Lakeland.

“Not many people can say they met their wife at the school they went to. My Lakeland experience gave me multiple friends and inspired me to be a coach. The impact Lakeland has had on my life, I can’t state it in any kind of way, because if I tried, it would be understated.

“It’s not only about things learned in classroom; it’s about when you choose a path in life and good things happen to you. This has been an impactful place to me, and it goes to different levels because it has helped me to be the person that I am.”