Hall of Fame
Francis John Fitzgerald attended Chowan from 1978-1980 after graduating from Fair Lawn High School in his home state of New Jersey. He was a two sport star at Fair Lawn and garnered the attention of Jerry Hawkins at Chowan. Fitzgerald played under Hawkins for two seasons. He was an outstanding player while at Chowan. As a catcher, he was known for his arm strength, throwing out an amazing 80% of runners who attempted to steal on him. He was no slouch at the plate either after hitting for a .400 career average.
For his efforts on the field, Fitzgerald was named All-Conference and All-District. He went on to further his education and playing career at nearby East Carolina University. For two seasons, he excelled for the Pirate baseball program. He was named All-ECAC First Team two seasons and was tabbed the MVP of the ECAC Conference Tournament in 1982. He led the Pirates in homeruns and batting average that same year. At ECU, he graduated with a degree in Industrial Technology.
In 1982, Fitzgerald was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles. He made it as far as Double A ball and was named a top ten prospect by Baseball America in 1983. He spent three seasons in their farm systems before a career ending shoulder injury.
Fitzgerald majored in Printing Technology while at Chowan, a degree that eventually propelled him into the position of Group Imaging Director for Time Warner Inc. He oversees the images that readers see on People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, People En Espanol, Essence, InStyle, and People Stylewatch. Fitzgerald’s work is seen worldwide on a daily basis.
Fitzgerald is still involved in athletics. He helps young men and women refine their athletic skills in his home state. In 1999, Fitzgerald was voted into the NJ Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame and in 1998 was voted the Over 30 Baseball New Jersey Amateur Athlete of the Year. Fitzgerald is also co-owner of a baseball/softball private lessons and camp business in River Edge, NJ called “Catch the Heat LLC.”
Fitzgerald most notably is proud of his career accomplishments. He has spent more than 20 years with Time Warner Inc. Hitzgerald attributes the roots of his success to the education that he received at Chowan. He is quoted as saying, “The knowledge and work ethic I attained while at Chowan is something that follows me to this day.”
