Athletics Hall of Fame
Alex Rita was a four-year starter on both the football field and baseball diamond for Union. His 16 career interceptions and his eight from the 1983 season still both rank second all-time in Dutchmen football annals. In 1984 he earned Pizza Hut All-American and Associated Press Little All-American Honorable Mention honors. The defensive back was an ECAC All-Star in his 1985 junior season, and the senior year featured Pizza Hut and AP Honorable Mention All-American honors. Rita struck out just five times in his four-year baseball career, and the starting centerfielder batted .422 for his career. He hit .426 to lead the team in his 1984 freshman campaign, and batted .463 in his senior season. Rita started in the New York State Div. II-III All-Star Game at Shea Stadium in 1985 and also was selected to the game in 1987. Rita won the Jaffe Award as the outstanding senior male athlete in 1987. He is a resident of Eden Prairie, MN.
