Peter Rosza
Peter Rosza '82 Fencing
Peter Rozsa enter the Cleveland state Hall of fame tonight wit the distinction f having been a major part of the most successful fencing teams in Viking history. During each of his four years at CSU, Rozsa helped guide the Vikings to Top 20 finishes at the NCAA Championships.
Budapest, Hungary native made Viking fan sit up and take notice during his freshman year. Under the tutelage of CSU Hall of Fame fencing coach John Sxent Kiraly, Rozsa went 39-3 in dual meets in helping the Vikings compiled a 10-4 mark for the season.
Rozsa's sixth-place finish in the epee at the 1977 NCAA Championships helped establish him as only the second fencer in CSU history to earn First Team All-American honors.
In addition, Rozsa was named the Ohio Collegiate Epee Champion and was awarded a Silver medal after placing second at the Cleveland Grand Prix fencing Tournament. To complete this sparkling season, Rozsa was tabbed as both CSU's Athlete and Fencer of the Year.
Both Rozsa and the Viking fencers virtually duplicated their efforts in 1978. The sophomore sensation won 35 of 39 dual meets as the Vikings went 10-3 for the year.
Rozsa was again named as a First team All-American after placing sixth in the epee at the NCAA Championships. Rozsa's efforts helped the Vikings finish fifth, their best NCAA effort up to that time.
After taking a one-year sabbatical to train with the Hungarian National Team, Rozsa returned for the 1979-80 season and became part of the finest fencing squad in Cleveland State history.
Joined by fellow CSU Hall of Famer Carlos Songini, Rozsa went 35-5 in dual meets and helped the Vikings to an 11-5 mark and a best ever fourth place finish at the 1980 NCAA Championships.
Rozsa earned a host of honors during junior year. Before earning Second Team All-American honors with a seventh place finish in the epee, Rozsa won a bronze medal in the epee at the Great Lakes Tournament.
A change was in order for Rozsa's final season as the senior gripped a new weapon, the foil. However, there would be no changes in Rozsa's domination of opponents as Rozsa compile a 45-3 mark for the year.
Again honored as a Second Team All-American, Rozsa finished 11th in the fold at the NCAA Championships and helped the Vikings to 19th place in the tournament overall.
A retrospective of Rozsa's career at Cleveland State reveals some impressive numbers. In 169 dual meets, Rozsa went 154-15, for a winning percentage o f.911. Vikings teams with Rozsa finished with a mark of 42-17, including three Top 10 and one Top 20 finish in the NCAA Championships.
The four-time CSU letter winner was able to couple his excellence results in fencing with an impressive display in the classroom. Rozsa graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering, sporting a cumulative 3.38 grade point average and nine visits to the Dean's List.
Rozsa, who works for Hewlett- Packard, currently reside right outside Paris, France, with his wife Ildiko and their twin boys. Despite the long distance between Cleveland State and this new Hall of Famer, Viking fans will remember the memories provided by Peter Rozsa everywhere for years to come.
