Pitetti to be inducted into Hall of Fame
In football, he was one of the few athletes who played both ways on the offensive and defensive line, although he was known for his defensive talent in leading the team in tackles and sacks.
Following graduation he served with distinction in the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam as platoon leader (1st Lieutenant) and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal W/Device 60, Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star "V" Device and Purple Heart.
Pitetti suffered a traumatic amputation of his right leg while on combat operations in Vietnam and, upon physical rehabilitation, began his academic career.
Initially his research dealt with the neural control of coronary arterial blood flow. However, events related to his own disability challenged him to redirect his studies toward improving the physical capacities and health profiles of persons with disabilities.
His research record has earned him national and international recognition for his contributions to the field of exercise physiology as it pertains to persons with disabilities.
His scientific investigations not only have concerned people with lower limb amputation, but also those with spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Friedreich Ataxia, Down syndrome, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and autism.
Pitetti has been a faculty member in the WSU College of Health Professions since 1987.