Born in Rome, N. Y., in 1955, the son of Italian immigrants, Perry Nizzi achieved recognition as one of the most successful junior college soccer coaches in the United States with nearly 300 victories.
Nizzi set four school records while at Rome Free Academy: goals scored in a single game; season and career goals, and most assists in a season. He graduated in 1973 with all-American honors.

He went to gamer further accolades at Mohawk Valley Community College, including the record for goals in a single game (5); most goals in a season, and career assists, and twice being named an all-American. In just two seasons at SUNY Cortland, he finished in the top 10 in career scoring and career assists, while earning all-American status for the fourth time.

After obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree, he remained at Cortland as a graduate assistant in 1979-80, and became a lecturer-assistant soccer coach in 1980-81.

Nizzi was hired as head coach at Herkimer County Community College in the fall of 1981. He guided the Generals to three consecutive National Junior College Athletic Association national soccer championships in 1994, 1995 and 1996. From September 1994 through November 1997, HCCC established a national collegiate record for 97 wins, the longest winning streak in any sport in junior college history.

He wrapped up his coaching career at Herkimer with an overall mark of 291 wins-56Iosses-16 ties. He was named an N1CAA Region III Coach of the Year a remarkable eight times, and NJCAA National Coach of the Year three times.

In 1998, looking for further challenges, he ascended to the hill at Hamilton College, and boosted his career record to 304-68- I 9 after his first two seasons. He was also inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame that year.

In 1999, Nizzi received the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association award for his outstanding contributions to soccer.