Alumni Hall of Fame
Athletic Achievement (2025)

Ted D. Liette graduated from St. Marys Memorial High School in 1995, leaving behind an unmatched legacy as a Middle Linebacker on two football state championship teams, sweeping post-season awards two years in a row when he was named first-team All-Western Buckeye League, first-team All Northwest Ohio District, and first team All-State. In his senior year, he was named the 1994 Defensive Player of the Year for the state of Ohio. He truly was one of the best to ever play for the St. Marys Roughrider football team.



Ted was born in 1976 to David and Nancy (Liming) Liette and raised on a dairy farm where Ted helped his dad with the milking. His older brothers, Todd and Greg, who played on the 1990 Rider state championship football team, “toughened him up,” teaching him what he needed to know about football. Their advice to their younger brother – always give 110%. 

Ted attended Memorial High School where he was a standout athlete, earning a varsity letter in both football and baseball his sophomore, junior and senior years. He was also active in the Weight Club, Intramurals, and the Future Farmers of America where he served as the club’s Vice President.

As a sophomore in 1992, Ted started for the Riders as a Middle Linebacker. He credited Defensive Coach, Bob Priddy, who pushed him to the limit and had a great mind for the game. Ted credits him with teaching him how to read the offensive line, where Ted excelled at reading the trap and sacking the quarterback. Off the field, Coach Priddy worked with Ted, going over different plays, things to anticipate from opposing teams, and worked on formations. Ted said that Coach Priddy made a huge impact not just on him but on every player he coached.

The Riders opened the 1992 season with two strong wins before an unexpected loss to Lima Bath. From there, the Rider football team averaged more than 40 points per game, winning seven straight games to finish with a record of 9-1. They won the Western Buckeye League title and finished the year ranked fifth in the state in Division II. In the playoffs, they trounced Greenville 61-14, shut out Chaminade-Julienne 35-0, and beat the heavily favored Columbus Brookhaven team. For their last game of the season – the state finals - they faced the defending state champion, Fostoria, at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon. With a 38-14 victory over Fostoria on November 29, 1992, the St. Marys Roughrider football team won its second state football championship in school history. Ted said he now had bragging rights with his older brothers where they all had won a state championship.

In 1993, Ted’s Junior year, the Riders repeated their state championship win, going undefeated, 14-0, for the season and knocking off Columbus Watterson (21-14), Columbus Eastmoor (35-8) and Piqua (21-7) in the Division II playoffs. The Rider defense was credited with impressive performances, holding their opponents to just four touchdowns in three games. One game in particular stands out for Ted. He recalled the state semifinal game against the Piqua Indians because it was played at the University of Dayton Welcome Stadium. The Riders faced a 6’2”, 285 defensive lineman, Antwon Jones, a future 4-year starter at Notre Dame. This was the biggest crowd that Ted had ever played before. He and Coach Priddy had worked on a particular play all week anticipating that Piqua might run it. But the Indians didn’t run the play until the end of the game. Ted spotted it immediately and picked it off, a huge interception that prevented the Indians from scoring. Ted recalls it as one of his best plays ever.

In the state championship game, the Rider defense held Uniontown scoreless, winning 21-0, and giving St. Marys its back-to-back state football titles. It was also the last game coached by future Memorial High School Hall of Fame member, Coach Skip Baughman. For his Junior year, Ted was named first-team All-Western Buckeye League, first-team All Northwest Ohio District, and first-team All-State. He led the Riders in tackles with 145. Maybe more importantly, Ted now owned the bragging rights over his brothers – his two state championships to their one.

In his senior year at Memorial High School, the Rider football team lost several key players who graduated in 1994. The team went 7-3, but Ted said that some of his best memories from his Rider days are from his senior year. Their first game they played rival, Celina. Ted recalls walking onto the football field on South Street and seeing the stadium packed, 3-4 deep standing along the fences and cheering for the Riders. “I had a great time playing for the Roughriders. I enjoyed it…. I have great memories of teammates and coaches. It’s an experience I’ll never forget. I loved every minute of it and would do it again.”

For his Senior year, Ted was once again named first-team All-Western Buckeye League, first-team All Northwest Ohio District, and first-team All-State. He was also named the 1994 Defensive Player of the Year for Ohio. Ted was also named first-team All-Western Buckeye League in baseball his senior year as well.

Ted attended the University of Indianapolis where he was a four-year starter for the football team. After his first couple of days on campus, Ted almost quit. He called home and spoke with his dad and asked him to come and get him. He was homesick. His dad said he would come and get him as long as Ted stuck it out until Friday and give it more time. Ted did that, and the rest is history at the University of Indianapolis. 

Ted was a two-time All American 1st Team in 1997 and 1998, and a three-time All-Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference player. He set the school career record in solo tackles at 400, breaking the previous record by 89 tackles. He set the school career record in tackles for a loss at 76, was second in tackles for a loss yardage at 265 yards, third in assisted tackles at 219, and fifth in sacks at 26.5. He set a school record of 32 tackles in a game against St. Joseph’s in 1996, 198 total tackles in a season, and 126 solo tackles. He also set career records at Indianapolis, being first in all-time total tackles with 619, 130 more than the previous record. He was named the 1995 Defensive Freshman of the Year where he finished second on the team with 104 tackles, the Defensive Most Valuable Player for 1996, 1997, and 1998, and the 1998 Defensive Back of the Year. In addition to his sports achievements, he was also named first team Academic All-League. He was inducted into the University of Indianapolis Hall of Fame in 2024. 

Ted received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Indianapolis and worked as a Graduate Assistant Coach while he pursued a Master’s degree in teaching. After college, Ted worked with his brothers in their family’s trucking business. Just recently, he accepted the position as defensive coordinator for the Minster Wildcats football team.

For his outstanding athletic achievements as a Middle Linebacker for the St. Marys Roughrider football team, for being part of two football state championship teams, and for his outstanding football career at the University of Indianapolis where he set career and school records for tackles, Ted D. Liette is inducted into the St. Marys Memorial High School Alumni Foundation’s Hall of Fame for Athletic Achievement.