The University of North Dakota Athletics Department alongside the football program is mourning the passing of celebrated offensive lineman, Greg Lotysz, who passed away on Friday morning. He was 49. “Greg was a fun loving and awesome family man,” said UND football head coach Bubba Schweigert, who was a member of the staff during Lotysz’s playing days. “Heather and his children were the priority in his life. During his time at UND, he was a dominant offensive lineman in the North Central Conference. His intensity and drive for excellence was unmatched, the result was an NFL career which was unfortunately cut short due to injury.” Lotysz was a standout on the offensive line for North Dakota from 1995-98. In his time with the program, his blocking helped the Fighting Sioux compile a record of 32-10 and a 28-8 mark in North Central Conference play. He was also a member of the 1995 NCC title team as a freshman and guided UND to a pair of postseason appearances. In 1998, Lotysz had a breakout senior year on the offensive line and was recognized as a Second Team All-American by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette. He was also a First Team All-North Central offensive lineman in 1998 after helping the Sioux to an 8-3 record and 7-2 standing in conference play. Lotysz was a student of the game and took care of business in the classroom as well, earning Academic All-NCC status at the end of the 1998 season. He was selected third overall in the 1998 Canadian Football League Draft but opted to sign as a free agent with the New York Jets. Lotysz made the Jets’ practice squad as a rookie. In his second season, Lotysz suffered a major injury to his left knee in preseason practice and complications from knee surgery ended his football playing career. Lotysz’s legacy lives on, with his son (Peyton) playing as an offensive lineman the past three seasons for the Fighting Hawks. Peyton Lotysz currently serves as a student video assistant with the football program.
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(UND Athletics)