WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Throughout the summer, athletics.lycoming.edu is proud to feature a series of alumni profiles that will help reconnect Warrior fans with some of the remarkable athletes who have worn the Blue and Gold. Today's feature is on Todd Riescher '01, a standout two-sport athlete in both football and men's lacrosse.

When transferring to Lycoming from Rowan University, Riescher was just interested in playing football, but he soon learned of the newly-founded lacrosse program and decided to give it a shot. He stepped into the starting lineup in his first year with the lacrosse program and he never left as he started 60 games on defense, a record that stood for 14 years. He helped his team to the 1999 MAC Championship game in the program's third season of competition. In his four years on the lacrosse team, Riescher helped the team to a record of 39-22 and two MAC playoff appearances. He is still sixth in school history with 245 ground balls and his 4.06 average per game in ninth in program history.

While playing lacrosse, Riescher was also a part of the football team. He transitioned from linebacker to defensive end and helped the Warriors win a MAC Championship in 1999 with a 9-1 record, when he had six sacks for a total loss of 56 yards. The team did not allow a rushing touchdown all season and it led the nation in scoring defense with just 6.0 points per game.  In 2000, the team set a school record for most tackles for a loss with 110 and the most yards from tackles for a loss with 431. Riescher finished his football career with 102 yards loss from sacks, the seventh most in school history.

Riescher currently resides in New Jersey where he works for a National Home, Health and Hospice Company and he spends his free time with his three children. 

Athletics.lycoming.edu recently asked Riescher a few questions about his time at the college and what advice he would have for today's football and lacrosse players.

How challenging was it to be a two-sport athlete?
Being a two-sport athlete is one of the hardest things to accomplish at any collegiate level.  The hours dedicated to both education and athletics adds up quickly and you have to be very disciplined with your day-to-day schedule.  While I was at Lycoming, I had to take all of my classes early to free up the afternoons for treatments and practice and then be able to have time in the evening for team meetings and class work.  In addition, I also needed to remain healthy for both seasons.  There was no offseason during the school year and no vacations or weekends off.  The challenge was great but the rewards have been better.

What do you remember from the 1999 football season when your team won the MAC Championship?
Of course, I remember that season.  I was lucky enough never to have a concussion so my memory is pretty good.  The one thing I remember most and that I am most proud of is that our defense was the No. 1 scoring defense in the country and we did not allow a rushing touchdown all year long.  It is an impressive stat considering the caliber of teams and offenses we played that year.

What was it like to play in the first MAC Championship game appearance in the history of the lacrosse program?
It was both satisfying and disappointing at the same time.  As a team, we had completed the goal of winning the regular season championship, which in years prior would have given us the league title.  That year we went to the championship game was also the first year the MAC had the finals.  We lost a tough game to a team we had beaten earlier in the year and I would still put the pads on for the rubber match any day of the week.  So I would say disappointment is a stronger feeling, though I would not give up the regular season championship or the feeling that we got after we beat Drew to secure that title.

What was it like to play for Frank Girardi and Steve Wiser?
Honestly, as a defensive player, I was more under Coach Wiser's eye throughout my years on the team.  Both men were and are great teachers and motivators.  I think their relationship and the way they related to the team is the No. 1 factor on the success the program has had and maintains currently.  It was never a dull day at practice and both Coach Girardi and Coach Wiser complimented a player far more than putting a player down, which I never personally witnessed or heard about while I played. 

How much of a physical toll did playing two sports take on your body?
I was lucky enough to only have two major injuries, a broken scapula and a broken hand.  I never had any knee injuries or concussions.  I learned at a young age to avoid big hits and how to properly engage a hit on an opposing player.  I was 6-3 and 285 pounds for football as a defensive end and 225 pounds as a defensive player for lacrosse.  I was usually on the larger side of the spectrum for both sports.  I was in the training room a minimum of two hours a day doing what I could to stay healthy.  I missed one practice in all my time at Lycoming and it was due to an impacted tooth.  I still feel some pain on days, but I was very lucky in my health while playing positions that are known to produce injuries.   

The lacrosse program was founded in 1997. How were you guys able to advance the program and have success so quickly?
It was couple of factors and timing really.  Coach (Gene) Peluso did a great job recruiting during his time and brought in players that contributed to the success.  I was a transfer, as was Justin Gilroy and Michael Bonnes.  All three of us became starters and Bonnes is the school's all-time goals leader and is in the Hall of Fame.  As a team, we got along well and Coach added great classes year in and year out.  When you add the three transfers to what was established early, we instantly became to a top team in the conference.

What advice would you give to players on today's Lycoming teams?
Check your ego at the door and get ready to sacrifice.  This is a team and it won't win if you don't work together. 

Previous Catching Up With... Profiles
5/29/12 - Deanna (Cappo) Kirn, Women's Tennis
6/6/12 - Bekah Shipe, Women's Soccer
6/13/12 - Dr. Steven Hawley, Men's Swimming
6/19/12 - James O'Malley, Football
6/26/12 - Dan Leale, Wrestling
7/5/12 - Derek Crane, Wrestling
7/10/12 - Stan Kadelski, Men's Soccer
7/17/12 - Rebecca (Fox) Neil, Women's Swimming
7/24/12 - Joe Bunce, Men's Tennis
7/31/12 - Randy Cober, Golf
8/7/12 - MaryBeth (Schwindenhammer) McNicholas, Softball
8/14/12 - Erica (Weaver) Wagner, Women's Basketball, Softball
5/9/14 - Jonathan Pribble, Men's Basketball
5/16/14 - Caleb Shertzer, Football
5/23/14 - Chuck Wells, Men's Swimming 
5/30/14 - Kelly Wehrung, Women's Tennis
6/9/14 - Tim Deasey, Football
6/13/14 - Shawn Rosa, Men's Lacrosse
6/23/14 - Gretchen Hause, Volleyball
6/29/14 - Kelly Prendergast, Women's Soccer
7/7/14 - Mark Barnes, Men's Lacrosse
7/11/14 - Robert Ortego, Men's Soccer
7/18/14 - Craig Savitsky, Wrestling
7/28/14 - Amy (Kile) McPhail, Women's Basketball
8/1/14 - Rod Laub, Wrestling
8/8/14 - Sang Duong, Men's Lacrosse6/19/15 - Meredith (Moerschbacher) Leader, Women's Tennis
 7/6/15 - Tom Pietrzak, Football