SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Former SU punter Ben Kozik and former CFL coach Stephen Gritti have joined Syracuse Athletics Video Coordinator Erik Kunttu's staff. Both Kozik and Gritti are graduate assistants for the 2004-05 year. Kunttu is in his 11th year as the video coordinator for the Orange.
Kozik will pursue a Master’s degree in information management in the School of Information Studies and Technology. The Adams, Mass. native earned a degree in broadcast journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications in December 2001.
Kozik made the team as a walk-on in 1998 and served as the back-up placekicker during the 1999, 2000 and 2001 seasons. In 2000, Kozik played in six games and averaged 54.1 yards on 19 kickoffs. As a senior in 2001, Kozik was a member of the Insight.com Bowl Championship team. A two-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team selection, Kozik was named to the SU Athletic Director’s Honor Roll in seven consecutive semesters.
In 2003-04, Kozik worked at Holy Cross as the assistant offensive line coach, video coordinator and administrative assistant.
He began his coaching career as a wide receiver coach at American International from March 2002 through May 2003.
Gritti will pursue a Master’s degree in instructional design, development and evaluation in the School of Education.
Prior to coming to Syracuse, Gritti was the defensive quality control coach and the assistant linebackers coach for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He has also coached at the collegiate level, serving as the quarterbacks coach at Framingham (Mass.) State College in 2002-03.
Gritti graduated from Boston College in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in history. Gritti played wide receiver and defensive back at Assumption College (Mass.) in 1995-96 prior to transferring to Boston College.
A native of Malden, Mass., Gritti was a four-sport athlete at Malden Catholic, playing football, hockey, baseball and golf.
Kunttu directs the video operation for the entire athletics department, including football, basketball, lacrosse and special projects. Kunttu was recognized as the The BIG EAST Conference Video Coordinator of the Year in 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003.
A native of Orchard Park, N.Y., Kunttu worked for the Buffalo Bills for four years prior to coming to Syracuse. He began his tenure in Orchard Park, as an intern and was promoted to assistant video director shortly after. He also worked for the NFL at the spring scouting combine and filmed video projects for the New York State Police. His father, Henry Kunttu, is video director for the Bills.
Kunttu had an article on videography published in American Football Quarterly. He is a member of the Collegiate Sports Video Association.
A 1992 graduate of Canisius College with a degree in communications, Kunttu lettered three years in football as a linebacker and was Special Teams Player of the Year in 1990. Kunttu was on the Dean’s List at Canisius in 1990 and 1991.
Kunttu resides in Syracuse with his wife, Kristen, and their children, Kaija and Mason.
