By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
Name: Riley Wittig
School: Green Bay East
Parents: Ann and Dennis
Activities: Football, baseball
Riley Wittig, an only child, is a senior at Green Bay East High School on the football and baseball teams.
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is a possible destination for college, where he plans to study marine biology.
Wittig’s hobbies include playing video games and hanging out with friends.
Tell me about your mom.
“She grew up in the area and played basketball at East. I’m the third generation to attend East.”
What’s it like attending East?
“It’s awesome to be there – knowing several generations of my family have gone there before me is cool. Being in the gym and seeing my grandpa’s (Robert Wittig) name up on the wall is neat, too. It pushes me to do better. He was all-state in basketball and went on to play at UW-Madison.”
There’s lots of history at City Stadium with the Packers once calling it their home, too.
“We still have some of the equipment the Packers used to use. The history of the stadium also makes you try harder to live up to the great ones who played there.”
How have the first few weeks of virtual school gone?
“It’s going well. The teachers have a handle on virtual learning, so it’s better than what it was last spring.”
How disappointed is it not to be playing football this fall? East moved all fall sports to the spring.
“It’s disappointing, but we are trying to make the best of it. We are focusing on our school work but still trying to get outside and stay active waiting for our season. Our head coach, Levi Nelson, prepared us to play this fall, but I hope we get the chance to play next spring.”
Talk about your first-year head coach.
“So far, it’s been great. He cares about the players and makes sure he’s there for us.”
What are your positions in football?
“Offensive guard and defensive end.”
How about baseball?
“Third base and pitcher.”
How hard can you throw, and what’s your best pitch?
“I throw in the low 70s, and my best pitch is a curveball.”
Is there a sport you wish you had played?
“Basketball. I always knew I could play, but I wasn’t sure about it.”
What’s it like playing against Green Bay West?
“It’s an intense rivalry. With our baseball team being a co-op between the two schools, I know some of the West guys.”
What’s your most memorable sports moment?
“It might not seem like a memorable moment, but last year playing against West De Pere, we lost like 70-0, but the entire team tried their best and didn’t give up.”
An embarrassing moment?
“During the same West De Pere game, they intercepted a pass and went to return it for a touchdown. I was playing on the offensive line, and I tried chasing the guy down for a tackle. I dove and went face-first into the ground and ate it.”
What three words describe you?
“Committed, consistent, caring.”
Favorites
Food: Burritos
Restaurant: Qdoba
Animal: Shark
Month: June
Color: Red
Phone app: Snapchat