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]