Heidelberg Athletics Hall of Fame
Regarded as one of the finest receivers in Heidelberg history, Charles "Chuck" Ritzler was born and raised in Tiffin and wore Heidelberg colors from 1982-85.
Graduating from Calvert High School, Ritzler attended Terra Technical College in the fall of 1981. In 1982 he transferred to Heidelberg and earned his degree in accounting.
A Pizza Hut All-American nominee in 1985, Ritzler still holds several Heidelberg records including: receptions in a career (134), receiving yards in a season (2,061), touchdown receptions in a career (21), and touchdown receptions in a season, tied with ten.
Ritzler was first team All-OAC in 1984 and 1985 and was selected as Heidelberg most valuable player in 1984, before serving as the team captain in 1985.
His success in athletics was shown in his high school career where he earned 11 varsity letters.
In football for the Senecas, Ritzler was on the conference championship team three years, including his junior year when the team advanced to the state playoffs, and his senior year when Calvert won the Division V State Championship.
He served as captain of the Senecas' football team, was first team all-conference and honorable mention all-district.
Ritzler was selected first team all-conference in baseball his junior and senior seasons in high school, was chosen the team's most valuable player his junior year and named team captain his senior year.
A third team AP All-Ohio selection in basketball, he was also honorable mention UPI All-Ohio, first team all-conference and all-district. His senior he was Calvert basketball's team captain and league scoring leader.
Following graduation from Heidelberg College, Ritzler was employed as an account executive at United Insurance Service in Tiffin and, in 1989, was named department manager of the Life, Group Health and Employee Benefit department.
He has earned several awards for sales production and professionalism an served on the board of a number of area civic organizations.
(This profile appeared in the 1998 Hall of Fame Banquet program.)
