By Adam Wozniak
SYMMES TOWNSHIP, OHIO - Mike Brizzi and Brian Wozniak publicly committed to Cincinnati State and the University of Wisconsin in front of family and friends on Friday February 6 in the Loveland High School Media Center. Mike Brizzi will continue his soccer career at Cincinnati State while Brian Wozniak will be playing Tight End for the University of Wisconsin football team.
Brizzi was a three-year varsity soccer player for Loveland High School. Loveland High School head soccer coach Dr. Ron Quinn says that Brizzi is a very talented individual who has a lot to offer academically and athletically. “He has a great deal of potential and is still growing as a soccer player.” Quinn said that with Brizzi competing at Cincinnati State, it will give him the opportunity to become adjusted to the college game, while also giving himself more time to find the right four-year college with regard to his soccer ability and academic interest. “I have no doubt that he will have a successful college career.”
When asked why he wanted to play at Cincinnati State Brizzi said, “I know I will have the opportunity to play right away. I won’t have to sit the bench liked I would if I were going into a Division I school.” Brizzi also said that Cincinnati State will give him more time to figure out where he wants to pursue his soccer career, “as well as what he wants to pursue in terms of a vocation.”
Brizzi was twice, a 1st Team All Fort Ancient Valley Conference selection and two-time Loveland Most Valuable Player. Brizzi earned an All-Conference Academic Award and was named to the All Southwest Ohio team, and was 3rd Team All State. Brizzi also participated in the Senior All-Star game. Mike is an Honor Student at Loveland High School.
Brizzi's mother, Pamela said that he began playing soccer when he was five years-old. “Small but fast, he was a lot of fun to watch.” He played soccer and track for Seneca Valley High School until moving to Loveland from Pennsylvania, in December of 2005. When Brizzi was 11, he began training with the Northern Steel Phantoms, winning the U13, U14, and U15, PA West State Cup all three years. Brizzi also plays for the Ohio Elite U18 US Soccer Development Academy. He has been with the team since moving from Pittsburgh. “The Development Academy travels to Fla., N.C., Texas, California, Ill., etc., to play some of the top teams in the country,” according to his mother.
Brizzi said, "We are going to have a very strong team at Cincinnati State. We're going to be good because the coach brought in a very strong recruiting class." Brizzi said he has had a good relationship with Cincinnati State Head Soccer Coach Mike Combs whom he met when Combs was about to become head coach at Loveland High School. “Coach Combs has a great record when it comes to sending players to top notch 4-year schools after their career at CS.”
"I'm excited to have him as my coach and I'm excited for the season to begin. If I work hard and take advantage of this opportunity I can hopefully take my soccer career anywhere I wish,” said Brizzi.
Besides having a passion for soccer, he loves music, and plays the guitar in a band called Step To Change. Both of Mike's parents, Pamela and Bruce, said, they are very proud of his accomplishments both on and off the field. Pamela Brizzi said, “Last but not least, Mike is a die hard Steeler fan.”
Brian Wozniak was a three time varsity letter winner and starter in football, and a four time varsity letter winner and starter in basketball. When asked what he will miss most about Loveland football he said, “I will miss all the players on my team. We had great camaraderie.” He said he will also miss Head Coach Marlatt “and the entire coaching staff.”
Andrew Marlatt said that he met Wozniak for the first time in January of 2006 when he was first hired by Loveland as a teacher and the head football coach. “I told Brian that he had great potential and that if he committed himself to the weight room and being a disciplined student-athlete that he had a great chance to earn a Division I college football scholarship.” Marlatt said that since that time, Wozniak has done everything possible to make himself a bigger, stronger, faster, and more durable athlete. “His labors have produced fruit, and he will always be remembered at Loveland High School as one of the best athletes to walk these halls,” said Marlatt.
When asked what he is looking forward to at Wisconsin, Wozniak said, “Being on a team with a winning tradition and being part of a recruiting class that is going to be really good. I also am looking forward to playing for the coaches at Wisconsin.”
In basketball, Wozniak was a three-time 1st Team Fort Ancient Valley Conference selection, two-time Loveland Co-Most Valuable Player, and three-time Team Captain. Wozniak ended his basketball career as Loveland’s 6th all-time leading scorer.
In football, Wozniak was a two-time 1st Team Fort Ancient Valley Conference selection. As a Senior, he was a Team Captain and earned 2nd Team All-Ohio. Wozniak was Loveland’s Co-Most Valuable Player as a Junior and he won Loveland’s Stan McCoy Award for his leadership and commitment as a Senior. Wozniak also earned All-Conference Academic Awards in football and basketball his Senior year.
John Wozniak, Brian’s Father said, “The response from colleges was wonderful and more than we could have ever asked for. In a period of about three months, Brian went from one football offer at Miami University, to fourteen." Wisconsin, Louisville, U.C., Connecticut, Maryland, Akron, Marshall, Ohio U., Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Bowling Green, and the Air Force all made offers.
John Wozniak also said his son received strong interest from Ohio State, Purdue, Kentucky, Michigan State, Iowa, Duke, and Colorado. However, by the time he received the Wisconsin offer in June, he had pretty much made up his mind that that is where he wanted to go. “As a matter of fact, after Wisconsin offered, Ohio State asked Brian to wait on his decision because they wanted to make him an offer, but, his mind was made up.” After having lunch with his parents and Coach Marlatt, Brian committed to Wisconsin on June 25th. “He has never wavered in that decision,” said his father.
While talking about his recruiting class, Wisconsin football coach Bret Bielema said, “Brian Wozniak, a tight end that came into our camp, earned a scholarship, had several offers, but wanted to come here. Tight End Coach Joe Rudolph did a good job of getting him in.” Bielema said, “He makes catch after catch with his hands.” Bielema also pointed out that Wozniak runs point guard on Loveland's basketball team. “At the size he is (6'6", 225 lbs.), and the frame, that he has, to picture that, is kind of unique. And, he’s just a kid when you walk through the high school - everybody was singing his praises, so.”
Patty Wozniak, Brian’s Mother, said, “We are so proud of Brian. He played hard, had fun, and we are so excited about the next step in his life.”
At the signing, Loveland Athletic Director Jeff Zidron said, "Today we are honoring those Loveland senior student athletes who will be committing to play interscholastic athletics at the college level. For them, this is both the end of a long process and the beginning of a new adventure. The number of car pools, practices, weekends, the emotional high and lows and the shear volume of practices, games, and events they have been part of, are astonishing."
