"People grow up wanting to be a doctor or an astronaut," says Rizo Velovic ’21. "I wanted to be on "Survivor."

Through 25 years and 50 seasons of the legendary CBS reality competition series, "Survivor," only a handful of contestants have appeared in back-to-back seasons — a badge of honor recognizing them as skilled competitors and fan favorites. University at Albany alum Rizo Velovic ’21 is one of them.  

In fall 2025, Velovic debuted on Season 49 of the show and introduced himself to viewers as the first person in his family to graduate from college and the son of Albanian immigrants who worked multiple jobs to support their family. As he spoke, the screen cut to a photo of Velovic in cap and gown, surrounded by his proud family. In the background: UAlbany’s campus.

On the show, he quickly became popular as the memorable contestant viewers knew by his self-given nickname, Rizgod.  Velovic finished in fourth place, but the day after the season ended, "Survivor" executive producer and host Jeff Probst met with him on Zoom with an offer: Come back the next week and play in Season 50. Velovic said “Yes” on the spot. He wasn't going to miss a milestone for the franchise that brought back legends from over two decades, players Velovic had grown up idolizing long before he ever set foot in Fiji.

A self-described “superfan,” Velovic started watching the show at age 8 from his home in Yonkers, New York. In college, the TV show was sacred in his dorm.  

“It’s " ‘Survivor’  Wednesday,” he would tell roommates as he dissected every episode, every scenario. “Either you’re watching with me, or I need the room.”  

Knowing what he wants and pursuing it is a recurring theme with Velovic. He committed to UAlbany without ever stepping foot on campus. He watched YouTube videos, trusted his instincts, and listened to his mother’s encouragement to go away, grow up and build an identity of his own — something he says he “definitely needed.” He found it in Albany.  

A journalism major with an interest in sports, Velovic immersed himself in covering campus athletics, navigating the diverse campus, and adapting to college life during the height of COVID. The experiences taught him resilience and how to deal with uncertainty, skills that would ultimately prove useful on "Survivor."

In his freshman year, Velovic skipped class to attend a “Survivor” casting call in Connecticut. He didn’t hear back, but that only strengthened his desire to get on the show. On his fourth audition, Velovic finally made the cast. Now he’s among a select group of two-time competitors, though his second appearance may have come with a disadvantage: the quick turnaround between seasons. Velovic conceded that not being able to gain back any of the 20 pounds he’d lost during Season 49, while other players were lifting and getting physically fit, was not ideal — but, on the other hand, not having to acclimate anew to the island and staying in the “right headspace” may give him an edge over some of the other competitors.

As his alter ego, Rizgod, Velovic played aggressively and unapologetically. His dramatic use of the immunity idol — including theatrically teasing whether he would play it and even deploying a fake — made him one of the most talked-about contestants in Season 49, but the bravado wasn’t the whole story. Velovic grew emotional reading letters from home, opened up about his family, and embraced the significance of becoming the first Albanian player in “Survivor” history.  

“I was myself out there, I was vulnerable, I shared my story,” he says. "I felt like I was a good representation to my community.”

The nickname, Velovic says, wasn’t created for television. “I kind of brought that persona from high school to UAlbany and now to the islands of Fiji,” he says. “I’ve always been Rizgod.” Polarizing? Yes. Entertaining? Definitely. Velovic embraces his persona.

“When you think of the best athletes, they’re either loved or hated,” he says. “If you’re being talked about, you’ve made an impact.”