North Central College Cardinals

Jim Witte '98 made an immediate impact on the field as a freshman, earning significant playing time as an offensive lineman in his first season as a Cardinal. He took on a larger role during his sophomore season in 1995, with increased responsibilities and time on the field that paved the way for two outstanding upperclassman campaigns.

"After his freshman year, things started to click. He got a lot of playing time, and by his sophomore year, he had a bigger role on the team. That responsibility and increased playing time helped him feel like a leader and a key part of the team." Jim's wife, Cathy Witte said.

As a junior, Witte was named Co-Offensive Player of the Year in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) and earned Third Team All-North Region honors from the Football Gazette.

His senior season brought further accolades, including a second All-CCIW selection and a program-first: becoming the first Cardinal in North Central history to receive All-American honors through a national coaches’ vote by the American Football Coaches Association in 1997. That year, Witte anchored an offensive line that allowed just 11 sacks and helped the team amass 2,581 yards on the ground. He also earned Second Team All-Chicago Small School honors from College Sports Chicago.

Witte capped off his collegiate career with the program's first-ever player invitation to a postseason all-star game, playing in the 1997 Aztec Bowl in Mexico City.