A fifth-round pick of the Chicago White Sox in 1968, Wittum instead chose to attend Northern Illinois University.
[1] He was a three-year letter-winner in football for the Huskies from 1969 to 1971, and lettered four years (1969–72) as a third baseman for the NIU baseball team.
He was inducted as an individual into the NIU Hall of Fame in 1987 and was a member of the Huskies' 1972 NCAA baseball team enshrined in 2008.
He shares the Pro Bowl record for longest punt with Darren Bennett (64 yards).
After he retired, Wittum was headcoach of the Grayslake Rams - Central High School team in Illinois and taught in addition driver's education.