Twenty years ago this fall, Big Red football fans were thrilled by the incredible rushing prowess of Sigma Nu’s Chad Levitt ’97. In his senior year, Chad had the opportunity to break the all-time Cornell and Ivy League career rushing record held by Ed Marinaro ’71. An elbow injury in the ninth game of the 1996 season left him just 59 yards shy of the record. Chad finished his four-year career for Cornell with 4,657 rushing yards and he led the Ivy League in rushing, scoring, and all-purpose running per game for three-straight years. Chad still holds many Cornell records, including the most 100-yard rushing games at 24. Chad was drafted in the fourth round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders and went on to play for three teams. Since the NFL, Chad’s career has been in commercial real estate financing. Today, he is a vice president on the capital markets team with Colliers International in his hometown of Philadelphia. He is responsible for securing commercial debt and equity financing for an array of investment property types including multifamily, retail, office, industrial, senior’s housing, and hospitality.
The Sigma News was excited to catch up with Chad and reflect back on his time at Cornell and Sigma Nu.
It’s been 20 years since your senior season with the Big Red. What are your favorite memories of playing football for Cornell?
The best times I had playing football at Cornell was the time spent just hanging out with my teammates. Whether it was in class, the locker room, during practices, eating in the dining halls, the fraternity, or film sessions. The comradery is something that I really miss. Road trips were great too, especially when you came home a winner.
You had one of the best careers in Ivy League history for running backs. What expectations did you have as a freshman when you played that first game against Princeton in 1993?
In my first game, I was just hoping not to get knocked out running down on kickoffs, which I almost did. When I was just a freshman I never in my wildest dreams thought that I would achieve the level of achievement and success that I did. My confidence and belief in myself grew over the years to the point where I expected to get drafted and make an NFL team. I expected to break Ed Marinaro’s records, too, but eventually fell just 59 yards short.
With each passing year, your yardage count grew. Was there a point in time where you became aware of Ed Marinaro and the Ivy League record he set in 1971?
Ed is a Cornell football legend. But regarding his record, some alumni mentioned something to me about the record in the Hall of Fame room above Schoellkopf Field after a game my junior year. I didn’t think that much of it at the time. However, after that junior season I started doing the math and realized it was a possibility if I had a very good senior season. I was going to need to average of about 175 yards per game, which I did for the first eight games that senior season. During my senior year I was convinced I was going to break the record, as I was on pace to do so, until I broke my elbow instead in the second-to-last game. It happened while playing Columbia in New York City. I caught a check down pass and was tackled low. When I went to break my fall I landed awkwardly on my right elbow and completely blew out the joint. And, just like that, my Cornell career ended. I’ll never forget athletic trainer Bernie DePalma and my father helping me off the field as I held my elbow in place. I was immediately taken to St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital for surgery the following day.
Very few college players make it to the NFL. What was it like to be drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 1997 NFL Draft?
It was an incredible day. I remember watching it on Sunday morning at my parents’ house, waiting for their land line to ring with the big news. Back then the first three rounds were on Saturday, and rounds four–seven were on Sunday. I was projected as a third–fifth round pick. After not being selected on Saturday, I got up early the next day and planted myself in front of the TV. Halfway through the fourth round the phone rang. On the other end I heard, “Congratulations, you are an Oakland Raider. Please hold for your coach.” Moments later the ticker flashed on ESPN, under Mel Kiper: ‘With the 123rd pick in the fourth round, the Oakland Raiders select Chad Levitt, running back, Cornell.’ Within minutes, my friends, neighbors, and old teachers began showing up at my parents’ house. Everyone came bearing gifts, including bottles of wine and Raiders’ gear. It turned into a nice little celebration. It was the best day of my life up until my wedding day this past March.
What surprised you most about the transition from the Ivy League to the NFL?
I knew to expect a bigger faster game. What was hardest was picking up the NFL offensive sets. I had to learn four different offensives in four years. At Cornell, I basically had three plays to remember: run right, run left, and pass. The amount of formations, shifts, motions, and responsibilities in the NFL were dramatically higher. In addition, I was now playing fullback, so I had to learn an entirely new position while competing at the highest level. That was the difficult part.
Regarding the lifestyle, the amount of attention and respect that you get as a professional player is incredible though. People were in awe just to be in your presence. Everywhere you went you were treated like a celebrity. It was pretty cool, definitely a different feeling from playing ball at Cornell. You get used to it really quickly, and it ends just as quickly when you get cut.
This fall, Sigma Nu has 18 brothers playing varsity football. How many brothers played football when you were at the house, and what other sports and activities did the brothers participate in?
I believe that we had approximately the same amount of guys playing varsity football that we do now, maybe a few less. At that time we competed with DU during Rush for football players. Chi Psi always had a few football players as well. About half of my pledge class played football as a freshman or on the Sprint football team. However, only about three or four of us played through our senior year. Our house was very well represented in athletics at the time, and not just in football. I remember we had baseball players, wrestlers, a lacrosse and a soccer player in the house at one point. Since I was at Sigma Nu in the ’90s, we have always been a very strong athletic house.
What are some of your fondest memories of your time at 230 Willard Way?
Definitely the down time spent just hanging out with the brothers at night. Ordering pizza and wings, or sending a pledge to the Hot Truck. Rush was always a lot of fun. Pledging was fun when you weren’t the ones going through it, although pledging was a great bonding experience. Slope Day was very memorable. We used to start the day on the rooftop, which I now understand is off limits. Parents’ Weekend was always a good event as well. Lastly, I have fond memories of competing in intramural sports (basketball, softball, tube water polo).
What were some of the fun things you and other brothers did?
Parties, road trips (Syracuse, Cortland, Niagara Falls), recreational sports. Skiing at Greek Peak. Putting the pledges through hell weekend.
How did being a Sigma Nu prepare you for life after graduation?
I learned that brotherhood, friends, and comradery are some of the most important things that you can have in life. Friends and relationships are everything.
What was your major and how did it relate to what you are doing today?
My major was business management and marketing in the Agricultural Economics department, which I now believe is the Dyson School. Today, I am a commercial mortgage banker. My coursework was definitely relevant to my career today.
What advice do you have for any brothers interested in real estate lending as a career?
Most importantly, make sure that you have good mentors and superiors who have a genuine interest in helping develop your career. It’s best to start as an analyst at a bank to get the experience. Being a broker, which I am, can be very difficult; while commissions can be lucrative, the deals take a long time and often you don’t always have complete control of the end result. Do not get into this industry unless you have a lot of patience. There are many other avenues in real estate outside of financial/mortgage brokerage as well. These include working for a direct lender, sales/leasing brokerage, development, property management, investment selection, raising equity capital, etc.
How do you stay in touch with Cornell and Sigma Nu?
I’d have to say Facebook is the best for keeping up with the brothers. I like to try to get to one or two Cornell football games every season, which is always an opportunity to see and reconnect with the guys. I’m looking forward to my 20-year reunion next June, and I hope to see a lot of my pledge class there!
Chad would love to hear from his classmates and all brothers. Chad can be reached at chadalevitt@gmail.com.