Rick Vittum (’94) is considered one of the best offensive lineman in Westfield State football history.

During his senior season in 1993 he was a Football Gazette All-American, an ECAC All-New England and a New England Sportswriters Division II/III All-Star, and a New England Football Conference (NEFC) first-team selection. He was also an NEFC first-team choice in 1992.

The Waltham native was a four-year letter-winner and three-year starter for the Owls. The standout offensive tackle was the lead blocker for two years for Westfield Hall of Fame running back Tim Lightfoot. According to long-time Owl coach Steve Marino, Vittum possessed superb size, speed and skills for a Division III lineman.

The highly respected team captain helped lead the Owls to 6-3 and 7-2-1 records during his junior and senior seasons. Maine Maritme clinched the 1993 NEFC championship by defeating Westfield, 22-14, in a winner-take-all regular season finale in Castine, Maine.

Vittum was a student assistant coach for the Owls during the fall of 1994, working with the special teams and offensive line. He also helped to develop a comprehensive weight training program.

Following his collegiate football career, he won state and regional power-lifting championships and held state records in the bench press at two different weight classes. He also competed on the national level, placing third, fourth and 12th in the top-flight national competitions.

Vittum graduated from Westfield State with a movement science degree and has taught physical education in the Waltham school district for the past 15 years. He is rewriting a portion of the physical education curriculum in Waltham, and recently received a master’s degree in administration from Bridgewater State College.

Vittum was an assistant football coach at Watertown High School for five years. In addition to his full-time teaching position, he is a certified personal trainer and has run his own personal training business for the past 10 years.

He resides in Burlington with his wife, Laura, and two children: Ricky (8) and Michaela (5).