A local product of St. Francis DeSales High School, Matt D’Orazio graduated from Otterbein as one of the most prolific quarterbacks to play for the Cardinal football team. D’Orazio capped his Otterbein career by leading the team to a 7-3 record in 1999, marking the program’s first winning season since 1982. He set multiple single-season records that still stand today, including most passing yards (2,798), total offense (3,073), and most touchdown passes (36). In addition, he tied the Otterbein record for most touchdown passes in a game (6) as his senior season ended with a USA Football All-American selection.

D’Orazio is Otterbein’s all-time leader with 73 passing touchdowns, 8,770 passing yards, and 9,364 yards of total offense. He ranks among the top-five in the Ohio Athletic Conference record books in nearly every passing category. D’Orazio continued his playing days after college, signing with the Arena Football League (AFL) in 2000. His best stint came between 2006 and 2008, beginning with an Arena League championship as quarterback of the Chicago Rush. D’Orazio was the top-rated passer in the league that season, scoring a combined eight touchdowns in the championship game.

His best season, however, would come in 2008 when he led the Philadelphia Soul to the league championship. D’Orazio was voted the AFL Most Valuable Player for the season and was named MVP in the title game for a second time. He is just one of two players in league history to receive ArenaBowl MVP honors while playing for two different teams.