JEFF BITETTI

Steve Virgen

Life is too short, so you better make the most of it. That might

sound like a cliche at a high school graduation, but that’s the motto

Jeffrey John Bitetti has lived by throughout the majority of his

life.

Bitetti continues to express himself in that manner through his

music. When he was young and carefree, chomping at the bit before

Friday nights, he also seized the day and tried to take advantage of

every opportunity as a defensive end, tight end and punter for

Newport Harbor High.

Bitetti held Newport’s single-season sack record, which was 18,

and lasted for 16 years. He was 6-foot-2, 200 pounds and came after

the quarterback with an aggressive attitude that was also helpful

against rivals.

“I never lost to [Corona del Mar] in my varsity years,” he said.

“And, you can quote me on that.”

Bitetti graduated from Newport in 1978 and plans to celebrate his

25th reunion in October. It will be a time for laughter, reminiscing

and cherishing friends.

“I believe that we were blessed to grow up in such a great

community,” Bitetti said. “It’s extraordinary.”

Bitetti remains in contact with his teammates from 1978. He helped

lead his team to the CIF Big Five semifinals, an appearance that was

also aided by his friends, including Doug Brockmeyer, Craig Myers and

Frank Venclik.

“One of the highlights for me was when we were seniors and I was

able to look back and see that these were the same guys I played Pop

Warner with,” Bitetti said. “Those guys were not only my childhood

buddies but they are still people I hang out with. It’s so great to

see them. Also, through the Newport football program, we learned what

it was to be a team and to be disciplined and it was so neat for us

to apply it to our adult lives.”

When Bitetti was in high school, he also had a love for music. He

was heavily involved in the school’s musicals and his talent as a

musician and songwriter paid for his education at USC. He intensified

his passion for music as a Trojan.

He also became a Sigma Chi fraternity member, and, now, he’s the

president of the John Wayne (who was a member) Orange County chapter.

After college, Bitetti went into commercial real estate and kept

the candle burning for music, as he continued to play the guitar and

sing. In the mid-1990s he formed the Jeffrey John Band, which had a

strong following locally. He has also sang the national anthem at Los

Angeles Lakers games.

Recently, he performed his music at the memorial service for

Trevor Theriot’s grandmother. Theriot is junior two-way starter for

the Newport Harbor football team, whose father, Brian, also played

for the Sailors. Bitetti said he was honored to support and perform,

and it was another reminder of the importance of community.

Sometime after Bitetti finished college, his mother, father and

brother died in the span of five years. Bitetti said his friends, as

well as the Newport community, comforted him and helped him deal with

his grief.

Bitetti, who lives in Newport Beach and is involved with the music

ministry at his local church, is the latest honoree of the Daily

Pilot Sports Hall of Fame. He is single and said he is in love with a

beautiful woman. He remains a fan of Newport Harbor football.