Biography
Position: Quarterbacks
Otterbein College alumni Matt D’Orazio made himself an Arena Football League legend through a strong work ethic and a focus on his fundamentals and technique. After transferring from Youngstown State, D’Orazio set single-season and career records at Otterbein in passing yards, touchdown passes and total offense with his 8,770 yards and 73 TDs through the air and his 594 yards and five TDs on the ground.
After college, D’Orazio went to the Arena Football League and played with eight teams from 1998-2008. He led the Chicago Rush to the 2006 Arena Bowl XX title with a 250-yard, 6-TD, MVP performance. In 2008 with the Philadelphia Soul, he was voted the AFL regular season MVP and led the Soul to the Arena Bowl XXII title. D’Orazio was named the game’s MVP, becoming the only AFL player to ever be named MVP of the Arena Bowl while playing with two different teams.
Since his playing days, D'Orazio has worked with OhioCollegeFootball.com as its Senior Bowl South Team head coach and he has worked with and trained aspiring young quarterbacks.
“Proper technique is essential and should be practiced until it becomes automatic. With proper technique, the athlete can focus on the other aspects of a competitive atmosphere,” says D’Orazio.
Playing Career
- College: Otterbein College
- New Jersey Red Dogs (1998)
- Milwaukee Mustangs (1999)
- Roanoke Steam (2000)
- Rochester Brigade (2001)
- Buffalo Destroyers (2002)
- Columbus Destroyers (2004-2005)
- Chicago Rush (2006-2007)
Career Highlights
- 8,700 Passing Yards, 73 TD passes (Otterbein College)
- 2x Arena Bowl champion and MVP (XX, XXII)
- 1x Arena Football League MVP (2008)
- First-team All-Arena (2008)
- Otterbein Athletics Hall of Fame (2012)
