Like any kid from Solvay, Todd Lisi dreamed of playing football for Syracuse.

Unlike most, Lisi’s doing it.

The junior wide receiver transferred from Hartwick College in Oneonta after his freshman year for a chance to play for the Orangemen. In the spring of 2002, he walked on as a safety. After two years, Lisi is now SU’s No. 5 receiver.

‘I wanted to play Division I football. I live in the area, so I thought, ‘what better place to come to?” Lisi said. ‘I’ve been a fan all my life.’

Lisi graduated from Solvay High School, minutes away from SU. At Solvay, he played linebacker, offensive line, quarterback and fullback, winning All-League honors as an offensive lineman his junior year and as a linebacker his senior year.

But what separated Lisi from the rest of the players were his drive and work ethic.

‘He’s a great kid and a loyal player,’ Solvay head coach Albert Merola said. ‘He would do anything for his team. He is a special kid who only comes along once in a while.’

That special drive caught the Syracuse coaching staff’s eye and allowed Lisi to walk on.

Lisi’s work ethic does not just apply to the football field, but to his whole life. The education major is planning to be a physical education teacher after he graduates.

Lisi credits his drive to his parents, Dominick and Mary Ann. Lisi remembers his dad working endless hours and his mom slaving past midnight on house work after returning from her job as a biology teacher at Solvay High.

‘They are my role models,’ Lisi said. ‘If I’d want to be like anybody, it’d be my parents.’

Lisi has not only gotten the attention of the Syracuse coaching staff, but also his teammates.

‘Guys like Todd help you to keep going and motivate you,’ SU receiver Jared Jones said. ‘You see him working and you think that you got to work, too. His attitude and work ethic helps more than what most people want to give credit to.’

Lisi’s attitude paid off this summer, when he was named to the travel squad as SU’s fifth wide receiver. Last year, he was a member of the scout team, which does not travel to away games.

‘There was no feeling greater than to make the travel squad,’ Lisi said. ‘And to fulfill one of my goals, that was just unbelievable. My next goal would be to play and then hopefully win a scholarship.’

Even in Lisi’s hometown there was some doubt of his ability to play at Syracuse.

‘My coaches were very supportive, but there were a lot of people who thought I couldn’t do it,’ Lisi said, ‘There were a lot of doubters.

‘I didn’t want to get out of college and think, ‘Why didn’t I do something that I really wanted to do?’ I didn’t want to regret anything. Football is my life. I just want to play football.’

Lisi constantly works to live his dream. His perseverance has won him many admirers and will continue to help him in the coming years.

‘Guys look up to him because of what he’s accomplished and the way he works,’ receivers coach Dennis Goldman said. ‘He doesn’t have to go out there every day. By the way he works, you would think he would get on the field. So in that way, he should be a model that everybody should look at.’

Published on September 16, 2003 at 12:00 pm