Rositano, Matt
Matt Rositano
If you had the privilege of watching Matt Rositano in an Admirals uniform, no matter the sport, you probably had the following takeaways: he was a fierce competitor, and he played with an undying passion for the game. Graduating from Admiral King High School in 2000, Rositano was a
two-year letterman and team captain in basketball, a three-year letterman and team captain in football, and a three-year letterman and team captain in baseball.
A role player and starter for Uncle John Rositano’s basketball team, Rositano usually drew the toughest defensive assignment, while averaging 8 points per game, 3 rebounds per game, and 4 assists per game. Rositano also led the team with 12 drawn charges.
As the quarterback on the football field for coach Tom Steiner, Rositano was named 1st Team All Lorain County, 2nd Team All Northeast Ohio District, and Honorable Mention All-Ohio. He holds numerous Admiral King football records, which include Most Passes Completed (157), Most Passing Yards (2018), Most Passing TDs (18), and Most Yards from Scrimmage (3035). Rositano’s performance against Toledo Libbey, also saw him break two school records: Most TD passes in a game (5), and Highest Single Game Completion Percentage (80%). This effort gained him national recognition, as he was selected by ESPN as their National Honor Roll Athlete of the Week, and was featured on ESPN’s nationally televised program, Scholastic Sports America.
The centerfielder for coach Jay Pickering’s baseball team, Rositano was a force to be reckoned with. A 1st Team All Lorain County, 1st Team All Northeast Ohio District, and 1st Team All Ohio selection, Rositano gave opposing pitchers and catchers fits. His senior year, he had 34 hits, 3 doubles, 1 triple, and 1 home run, for a .425 batting average, and a .588 on base percentage. Once on base though, he wreaked havoc. Rositano stole 76 bases for the Admirals his senior season, which is still an OHSAA State Record. His 76 consecutive stolen bases is also still an OHSAA State Record. He stole six bases in a game twice, which is tied for 3rd all time in the state of Ohio, and his 118 career stolen bases is 12th all time. Rositano was selected to play in the prestigious Mizuno All-Ohio Series at The Ohio State University following his senior campaign, where going against the best high school seniors in the state, he hit .364 with a double and stole 4 bases during the four-game event.
After high school, Rositano continued playing baseball at Bowling Green State University. He was a member of the 2002 MAC Championship team and finished his collegiate career with a .250 batting average.
Matt Rositano is currently the Head Baseball Coach at Amherst Steele High School, where he is in his 12th year (11th season — covid). Over the course of his first 10 seasons as head coach, Rositano entered this spring with a 203-89 career record. In 2018 he was named the OHSBCA Ohio Coach of the Year. The 2018 team also finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the state.
Rositano remains a current resident of Lorain and works for Lorain City Schools at Toni Morrison Elementary School in the Special Education Department.
