SUNY Cortland Athletics

Tony Zawadzki overcame physical handicaps early in his youth and shined as a linebacker for Cortland's football team. A two-time All-American, he is the Red Dragons' leader with 393 career tackles.
 
* The Staten Island native earned a bachelor's degree in geography from Cortland in 1986.
 
* Four-year linebacker for Cortland's football team after transferring from Wagner College.
 
* Cortland's career leader with 393 tackles, and his 136 tackles in 1984 are the second-highest seasonal total in school history.
 
* Two-time Pizza Hut Division III All-American in 1984 and 1985. Team captain in both seasons. Recorded a team-high 136 tackles along with two fumble recoveries and a pass breakup in 1984 and registered a team-best 111 tackles along with two fumble recoveries and a pass breakup in 1985. Team Defensive MVP in his senior season.
 
* Led Red Dragons with 113 tackles, including nine for losses, along with four pass breakups and an interception as a sophomore in 1983. As a freshman in the 1982 season, finished with 33 tackles, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and an interception.
 
* After graduation received free agency tryouts with the New England Patriots, New Jersey Generals (USFL) and three Canadian Football teams.
 
* Athletic accomplishments came despite being born with a physical handicap known as club foot (foot is so twisted that the sole can't be placed on the ground). Limited to a wheelchair with casts on both legs as a youth, placed in leg straightening braces as he got older, and was finally free of all restraints by age 12.
 
* Defensive coordinator and special teams coach for 14 seasons at St. Anthony's High School on Long Island. Also served as a lacrosse coach at St. Anthony's for six years and was a volunteer junior football coach for 22 years with the Police Athletic League.
 
* Youth Football Board Member and Police Athletic League Member for 22 years in Kings Park and Smithtown, and a Long Island Travel Lacrosse coach for 16 years.
 
* Inducted into the New Dorp High School Hall of Fame for football in 1995. NYC Touchdown Award (1980) and both a Daily News and Staten Island all-star.
 
* Owner of three Mosquito Joe franchises spanning the North Shore of Long Island.
 
* Owner, operator and founder of Xtreme Surf & Sport extreme sporting goods store in East Northport, N.Y., from 1998-2012 and Xtreme Lacrosse Company lacrosse sporting goods store in East Northport, N.Y., from 2002-09.