Mike Fitzgerald
What makes some Dragon athletes truly legendary sometimes just begins during their time here at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Mike Fitzgerald’s work ethic and passion for wrestling could never be overshadowed. After finishing his coaching career for good in 2005, Fitzgerald is now being honored by being selected into the Downstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame on April 29.
Mike was a member of the Dragon wrestling family from 1965 and spent four seasons at then Moorhead State until 1969. Before arriving at Moorhead, Fitzgerald was a New York State Champion in 1965 and was a Nassau County champion as well.
Fitzgerald became a placewinner in just his second season with the Dragons, placing fourth at 145 pounds in the NAIA tournament. In 1969, Fitzgerald would once again go to the national level, this time placing fourth in the NCAA Division-II National Championships at 145 pounds. Mike’s physical style, along with his mental and physical toughness made him feared by opponents and admired by teammates.
“Mike wasn’t the most talented wrestler,” former teammate Bill Germann said. “He was stubborn and very tough. He always refused to give up. Mike’s work ethic was exceptional, when you practiced with him he took you to the limit every time and let you know about it.”
Fitzgerald became an outstanding coach after finishing up as a Dragon athlete. Fitzgerald spent 26 years at Hampton Bays High School where he compiled a 205-127-3 record. During his tenure, Fitzgerald’s squad won the league dual meet title 10 times and won the league tournament championship nine teams over the course of 26 seasons.
What was just as impressive if not more so, was the champions he created. Mike coached 90 league champions and 35 All-Nassau County Champions, sometimes having the bare minimum 13 wrestlers to work with. Seven wrestlers under Fitzgerald’s tutelage won county titles and six of those went on to place at the state level.
Beyond the statistics, numbers or accolades was something more. Fitzgerald went above and beyond for his wrestlers, sometimes even letting them live in his home when they fell on hard times. In 2001, Fitzgerald walked away from his love of coaching, leaving hundreds of admirers in appreciation of his many years of work and dedication.
“It’s well deserved that he is getting in,” Germann said about Fitzgerald’s induction. “His wrestlers would run through a wall for them and he would do the same for them.”
In 2004 Fitzgerald returned to coaching for one season when Southampton High School was without a coach. Many in Long Island still regard Fitzgerald, a Dragon alum, as one of the most respected men in their history.
“Mike is a really good personal friend of mine,” Germann said. “He was the type of guy that would give you the shirt off his back. He was always there for his teammates at any moment.”
Fitzgerald will be officially inducted into the Downstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame on April 29 at a special ceremony in Melville, N.Y. along with fellow inductees Mike Davey, Paul Kieblesz, Bill Knapp, Terry Phelan and Fred Recher.
