Tom Wittum, a former Northern Illinois place-kicker and punter, died last Friday at the age of 60 in Antioch.
Wittum, a two-sport athlete at NIU, was a Pro Bowl punter for the San Francisco 49ers.
A native of Berwyn, WIttum grew up in Round Lake. He was a three-year letter-winner in football for the Huskies from 1969-71, and lettered four years (1969-72) as a third baseman for the NIU baseball team. He was inducted as an individual into the NIU Hall of Fame in 1987 and was a member of the Huskies' 1972 NCAA baseball team enshrined in 2008.
A memorial celebration of Wittum's life will be held at The Chapel (25270 W. IL Route 60, Grayslake) on Tuesday. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. with the memorial service starting at 12 p.m. Visitation to follow until 3 p.m.
Wittum left Northern Illinois with 10 kicking records, including the school's career, single-season and single-game records for punts, punting yards and punting average. For his career, he averaged 40.39 yards on 228 punts for 9,210 total yards, numbers which now rank third, fourth and third, respectively, in the Huskie record book. He still holds the top three single season totals for punts and punting yards with 78 for 3,129.
Wittum ranks eighth all-time at NIU in points by a kicker with 113 on 21 field goals and 50 PATs, all NIU records at the time. His career field-goal totals of 21 made on 37 attempts, also school records at the time, are the eighth and seventh-most in school history. He made 50 of 55 extra-point attempts from 1969-71 and is eighth in the Huskie record book in those categories.
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Tom Wittum was my high school football coach. He was a great coach and a great man. He, along with other coaches, inspired me to become a high school teacher. I share Tom Wittum stories with my students and fellow teachers regularly. I recall Mr. Wittum being introduced to the student body at my grade school when he took the coaching position at Grayslake Community High School and i couldn't wait to play for a real NFL All-Pro. It was always a challenge to get the serious coach to crack a smile, but after practice when we would practice long snaps with the kickers, he was all smiles and the lighter side of our coach came to the surface. These are great memories that many of his players share. He will be missed. We love ya Coach!
Jim Eldridge
GCHS Class of 1986
I played football at NIU with Tom and took over the place kicking duties when he graduated. Tom helped me alot with kicking technique while at Northern. He was a great guy and I was fortunate to meet up with him again a few years ago after a high school football game. To his family, I am sorry for your loss, he will be in my prayers.
yeah well he was my drivers ed teacher but he failed me!jon revelle long time no see sunny...wittum was cool though...
Wittum was my drivers ed teacher, my half-brother's gym teacher, and my mom's drivers ed teacher, all at GCHS. He was certainly one of the most fun teachers I had in school, and will be missed.
Coach Wittum was my Grayslake H.S. gym teacher. As good as an athlete he was he was an even better person. He will be misseed.
I went to HS with Tom. He was a great athlete, and a real good guy.
He excelled in all sports. Few knew he was an excellent hockey player as well.
Very talented singer as well, not only did we share the football filed, ice, but the Chorus as well.
I will miss him.
God, take his soul and let him rest in peace.
Gregg Martin 68