Northwestern fans revel in the fact that Pat Fitzgerald (SESP97) had one of the most decorated playing careers of any head coach in college football. The two-time All-American linebacker can now add Hall of Famer to his résumé.
Fitzgerald was one of 13 former players inducted into College Football's Hall of Fame in December in New York. He'll be enshrined in the Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind., in July. After spending his first three seasons as the youngest head coach in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A), Fitzgerald is now the youngest member of the Hall of Fame.
During his Northwestern career, Fitzgerald led the Wildcats to two Big Ten Conference Championships, including a Rose Bowl appearance following the 1995 season. His performance earned him All-American status, as well as the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Chuck Bednarik Award, both honoring the nation's best defender.
Fitzgerald is the 15th member of the Hall of Fame from Northwestern and the first since 1998.
— Ryan Morton (J08) |
