Mike Fitzgerald's speech at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Banquet

April 29, 2011 at the Marriott Hotel, Melville, NY

Hi, my name is Mike Fitzgerald, but most of you know me by Fitz or Coach Fitz. It is an honor to be here tonight being named to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. I want to thank everyone for voting for me and feeling that I deserve such a great honor. A special thanks goes out to the boys of Hampton Bays that made my job fun and challenging. Because of their hard work and dedication they made me the coach that you are honoring today. Also thanks to them for showing up and honoring me. I want to thank John Tobin for all of his help.

I also need to thank wrestling for making me the man I am today. Wrestling has taught me that hard work equals success no matter what. I have found out that the harder I worked the larger my successes are.

Coaching wrestling for thirty plus years I hope that I have taught the same thing to those that have wrestled for me. Winning is very important to a competitive person but the wins may not be in out scoring your opponents but in the lessons they learned along the way

I had a stroke 5 years ago and that hard work ethic has even paid off there. If I did not believe in hard work I might not be standing here reading this speech. I might not have even been able to walk up to this podium.

A special thanks goes out to my wife Toby and my three children, Allison, Keith and Todd for standing by me through thick and thin. My Mom and Dad for teaching me morality. My eight brothers and sisters for supporting me. Bob Emmons and Richard McGuckin for all the years helping me build the wrestling program. My junior high wrestling coach Spence Zuckermann for teaching me the basics. Sprig Gardner for all of his encouragement. Coach Ken Hunte for taking me under his wing and teaching me the ropes as both a wrestler and a coach. Don Jackson for wrestling with me when I was in High School. The wrestlers and coaches that have treated me with respect. And that teacher that once said I would never go to college and me having to prove her wrong.

An open letter to the Hampton Bays Wrestling Alumni from John Tobin, assisted by Paul Candela

I’d like to mention some people who helped make this evening possible. First and foremost, the Friends of Long Island Wrestling, and the tireless efforts of Jerry Seckler, BA Schoen, Pete Venier, Bill Zaggarino, Pascal Perry, Bill Trichon and their supportive wives.  If you haven’t already, consider becoming a member. They do a great job promoting the sport of wrestling.  I’d also like to thank Paul Bass, Steve Candela, Bob Emmons and BA Schoen for nominating Fitz for the Hall of Fame. Special thanks to Paul Bass for seeing Fitz’s nomination through.  Artie Haas, at a moments notice, would be my Sherlock Holmes, locating members of the alumni, thank you.  Last, but certainly not least, my girlfriend Patty, who put together the collage and at least pretended to show an interest in wrestling during the past six months.

Mike Fitzgerald’s statistical credentials as a hall of famer stand on their own merit. He has been an ICON in the Hampton Bays community since his arrival in 1974. I think I can speak for everyone here when I say that Mike Fitzgerald has touched our lives, either as a wrestler, coach, teacher or friend.  I understand as a wrestler, he was one of the best Nassau County ever saw. As a coach, he invested his heart and soul to making Hampton Bays a top program but more importantly he made us better people. His trademark as a coach was toughness and compassion.

Allow me, to remind you, of the time he put into the program. 6 am, morning workout, and then off to class at 8 am. After school, open mats from 2:30 to 3 pm. If you remember, had Fitz caught wind of you screwing up in school, open mats were not so open! Practice from 3 to 5 pm, home for dinner. At 7 pm, we would meet in front of his house for a 5 mile run. His home was always open to us. Thank you, Toby. Let us not forget the green, Ford pickup, and the thousands of miles he would drive to transport us to matches, tournaments and camps. It was a privilege to sit shot-gun and listen to Fitz talk philosphy while zig zagging his way to our destination!  (Come to think of it, not once did he get a ticket!) In addition to all this, he coached the kid wrestling program and had open mats during the summer months.

I had the fortunate experience of having Fitz as a neighbor. He moved into, as he called it, “Camp Riverdale”, in 1975.  At that time I had very little knowledge of scholastic wrestling, though I knew of Andre the giant, and Superfly Jimmy Snukka, oops, wrong sport!  My dreams were to shoot hoops like Clyde Frazier and Bill Bradley of the Knicks! We use to shoot hoops right in front of Fitz’s front door. Didn't that drive you crazy Fitz!!

Fitz approached me in the hallway one day as a 7th grader and invited me to the wrestling meeting. Looking at him with trepidation I said yes and attended the meeting, in room 9, standing all the way in the back. Fitz entered the room and began to speak. Remembering the passion of his words like it was yesterday, he spoke of what it takes to become a champion, the work ethic, the dedication and discipline. He said these traits will make you successful in life.  He made you believe, at that moment, you will become a champion. He inspired!  Looking back on those years, I have fond, glorious memories and treasure having Fitz as a friend today. I’d like to thank you for caring and investing your time in us. I know we gave you some gray hairs along the way but I really hope coaching us gave you some satisfaction.

Let me conclude with this; all of the wins, league champions, county champions and state place-winners were not what Coach Fitzgerald was really about. He was first a hall of fame friend, mentor, life coach, and father figure, touching the lives of all he coached so very deeply. The wins were just a by product. Throughout the process of helping organize this event and getting in touch with generations of wrestlers, how he touched each individual’s life was always the most resounding element of each conversation. This is something that can’t be measured. This in my eyes is the mark of a true hall of fame coach. It is more powerful than words can say. Thank you for all you have done for me and countless others who had the privilege of being coached by you. I am deeply honored that I wrestled for Mike Fitzgerald and the Hampton Bays wrestling team.

An open letter to Mike Fitzgerald from Bob Emmons

Mike,

GLORY DAYS

IF AND BUTTS WERE CANDY AND NUTS, WE WOULD ALL HAVE A PARTY!
Billy Maisel, Amityville High School

SHOULDA AND COULDA-BEEN A STATE CHAMPION. HOW CLOSE WERE THEY? THINK ABOUT IT!

Ryan Babcock- Awesome intensity, wrong weight class (145-132).

Jay Bedell- Beat the best guy in the semi's.

Steve Calamita- Couldn't check a dump.

John Case- Did the most. "Something bad is going to happen."

Pat Crowley- He didn't reach his potential.

Keith Durand- Tougher than a barrel of nails.

Sal Fava- Oh, so close!

Todd Fitz- Best power half I ever felt!

KT Forest- Lazy 0- Work Ethic. Strength beyond normal.

Ben Hill- One bad call.

Howie Kalb- One less towel by Jack and Wilson was had!

Anthony Layman- Born too late.

Marco Leddy- Lost a good address, than lost his mind.

Nick Mancuso- Couldn't handle a reverse dump, 5-3 and the winner was a State Champ! Amira!

Steve Morrison- Wrong weight class (103-96 lbs)

Tom McSherry- Never let it all hang out.

Charlie Nicholson- 6-0 and the winner was State Champ, Starke!

Rich Poehnelt- We feared him the most. Thank god he didn't show up- John Lange Sr.

John Tobin- Awesome single leg! Should have slapped John twice!
The winner Arceri, 5-3 who moves on to be the State Champ!

MORE HB SHORTS

Mr Friday Night- Seth Hillman

Ike Birdsall- I like maroon, SH, Pride!

Jace Panebianco- From a bag of bones, to bad to the bone! A national wind surfer and instructor.

Lenny Mennis- I have to work.

John Case- I'm moving to Florida. Ouch that hurt!

Brute strength- Howie Kalb, Jason Schoerline and James Francolini.

Al Blanco- Best ever with the inside leg roll?

Bob Armstrong- I didn't know the 96 lbs weight class was mandatory.
Well Bob, we will give you another chance to beat us.

Administration- Did you see Jules Radin push Mr Fitz, Yes I did, then there was a loud bang.
A clothes line head lock to a desk top pin then silence.

Where's McGann?

Mike- CONGRATULATIONS, THE BEST. BOB EMMONS

An open letter to Mike Fitzgerald from Bruce Doran

It has been a true gift to my family and I to call you a friend. I have to thank-you for mentoring and coaching my three sons: Denis Doran, Ryan Doran and Anthony Sicoli. You have been a friend and more for almost 50 years. We met at Moorhead State College in 1965; so do the math! I lost 20 bucks when I said you could beat Rick Stuyvesant in the Annual Inter-squad Meet. Rick was an NAIA Champ and a Division II place winner. You were a freshman. You lost the match 5-3; it was worth the money. I also know how highly he thought of you as he was my roommate.

Lots of stories - do you sleep on your back yet? He never did in high school or college - he said it was a bad place to be. I remember meeting you and Toby in Hills Supermarket (later King Kullen) and you had just taken the job at Hampton Bays. Emmons and I were trying to figure out when we got involved with you and Hampton Bays Wrestling. We settled on ’77 or ’78 with Kid Wrestling Program. I have to mention Phil Simon and his vision to start the Baymen Program. He always had a knack of hiring top people: Billy Germann, Fitz, McGuckin, Cam Gleeson, Tim Tenaglia, and Jeanie Polen.

It takes a team to coach and run a solid program. I look back and think about all the families that helped. The support of the staff at the high school: teachers, administration, perhaps the custodian staff was our ace in the hole. Although I can not remember them all, much of the program’s success is due to them. To name a few: all the student volunteers and fans, Vince Doty, Doc Fallot, Steve Lerner, Barbara Launer, Ralph Hubbard, and the Bull Brothers’ mom Maryanne Villarreal (who left us way too soon). Pat and Virginia McGovern, Lester Ware (remember tossing the Coach from Miller Place?). This list is way too short but at almost 70 it’s the best I can do.

The other programs that made themselves available to ours: Riverhead, Walt Stuart was a mentor to us all. Westhampton Beach, then and now, Paul Bass was great for our program. I remember Paul with a mask on wrestling Gerard Candela; they drew. Bay Shore, Knapp's Kid Wrestling, the Leggio’s, Jumper and his son Guy. Coach Rosner. Brentwood; Coach Campo and Cummings. Sachem; Jack Mahoney who was always available. William Floyd; Dan Noland and later Terry Phelan and Tony. Also Riverhead under Rocky Davey who always made us better. Thanks Rock for mentoring my son Ryan. Your kids used to hate it when Hampton Bays came over because you always kicked it up a couple of notches - and you didn’t have to because it was already tough enough! By the way, Emmons and I would have loved to work with you. We were always good soldiers. To those not mentioned, thank-you all!

The reason Emmons and I settled on ‘77 was because we went back to the States in ‘83. So it started in Junior High in ‘77. We drove those kids all over! Fava, Mayer, McSherry, Livanos, Chunk, Crowley, Troy Collins, Craig Meilenhausen and many more (parents included). Be it Bay Shore, Huntington, Sayville or others we won! We surprised everybody at these tournaments. It was always like, “Who are those kids?” That was simple. They were Fitz’s and McGuckin's kids. Emmons and I hung out and loved it and loved the kid‘s, we still do.

Emmons’ basement: the Tobin's (John, Kenny and David), Scott Emmons, Denis Doran, Tommy McSherry, Fava, etc. Now let me add: the short sit knee under, top would underhook right hand side. Thanks Don Jackson: just take it off and place it on the mat. Opposite side tie up, simple - just change collar tie. You know - right hand to left hand. By the way Mike, you never taught that opposite side dump when you lived on it in High School. The simple things we learned. When all else fails never forget the Patootchie! And of course Russian Ballet, Low lift, and Change off (who taught that to Schaffer from East Hampton?) The knee pull single from your mentor Grey Simon. As always, Chest Tight Elbow Back!

Then High School: the 80s, 90s into 2000s. The Leagues, Counties and States. Joe Villa once said, “We never thought about losing we always thought we could compete and win”. It didn’t matter whether it was tournaments on the Island or Upstate, Rhode Island (thanks Jeff McCrave). The gravity in Sequoit Valley was too much, Marty Gilligan kept dropping his food in his lap. Maybe so, Toby was pregnant with Todd after that weekend.

Once again the cycle started in the mid-90s. ’93 and ’94 we had 120 kids sign up for kid wrestling. We had to go 2 nights it was great! Out of that group came some of Fitz’s best. Case, Bedell, Gettling, Morrison, Calamita and many more. Steve Calamita, we were there at the hospital after you shattered your ankle. Case, many visits to the Chiro, whatever it was we tried as a team of coaches and volunteers to get it done the right way. That was Fitz’s way: the right way. Did you know: Fitz has a hell of a head lock in tight quarters!

To name a few families with more than one participant: brothers, cousins, etc. I am sure I have forgotten some so please forgive me. The Simmons’, the McSherry’s (Tommy you still get dressed on one foot?), the Candela’s (dropped Monte on his head once, that was Paulie - asked Fitz if he was okay Fitz replied “Not sure, he always acts that way”. The Hastings’, the Hills’, the Mancuso’s (thanks Rose), the Doran’s (Denis, Ryan, thanks Karen), the Case’s (Steve - that guy from Rocky Point still choking you?), the Durand's (thanks Shelia), the Berglin’s, the Gross’, the Lever’s (thanks Joanne), the Mayer’s, the Tobin’s, the Lupo’s, the Goleski’s. Charlie Nicholson (never visualized that final match). The Pensa’s, John Noonan (the only kid Fitz never yelled at!), the Kalb’s, the Albanese’s, the Gettling’s, the Crowley’s, Chunk (Lamb at North Carolina said you could have won it all). M. Kolb (watch that dump). Adam Dawson (taught you way more than wrestling). The Villareale’s - thanks Tony and Joe. S. Valyo - who’s Marco? Jace Panebianco (thanks for your heart, we knew you would grow). Mielenhausen (probably one of the most dedicated and skilled hard working kids at his age. 2500 pull-ups, always at the front of the group. I was there the day you were injured, Hampton Bays lost one of its best. As I said to you in Junior High: Look UP! This list could go on forever and in my mind it always will.

Tradition and Toughness: that was the Baymen way. A small blue collar town with hard working parents who supported their children and the Hampton Bays Wrestling Program. We were more than coaches; we taught, mentored and loved our kids. Fitz always said, “It’s not all about the sport. It’s getting these kids ready for life. A sense of hard work, honesty, commitment to family and to each other. And most of all to believe in yourself.” I would like to close with my deepest love and respect to you Fitz and to Hampton Bays Wrestling. Also to all those kids and their families I would have never known if it wasn’t for you and the wrestling program.

Humbly,

Coach Bruce Doran

National Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Banquet Postmortem. Responses from attendees

I've been attending the Hall of Fame dinners since their inception and I can tell that tonite was the most impressive showing I have ever seen for an inductee. It wasn't just the numbers - it was the intensity of the love and affection for Fitz, it was very impressive. I don't think anyone realizes how much time John Tobin put into the night. He left no stone unturned. Pins? what an idea! Everyone was able to take something tangible home as well as the great memories. You Baymen owe him. Thank you for letting an old broken down Hurricane celebrate Fitz' life and career with all you baymen. My wife and I had a great time and I know it was the greatest night of Fitz life. You are the man Tobin.

--- Paul Bass

What a wonderful night made possible by a few, enjoyed by many (thanks john,paul,bob etc...). As I watched and listened to Fitz speech I felt a wave of emotion hit me as I realized yet again he was teaching us about adversity and never giving up after all isn't life all about the third period. Love you Fitz.

Carl Berglin

It was great to see all the Alumni last night,and when Fitz was up there making his speech the amount of people standing was outstanding. We dominated the night, and for a Great Man, Great Mentor and a Great friend. John Great job. Baymen Rule.

George Gross

Great job! It was fantastic to see so many of Fitz's past wrestlers in attendance. A great evening for a great teacher, motivator, coach, and best of all, a great person. I think Fitz now realizes how important he was in our adolescent lives and how he has made as better men in our adult lives. As a father of a nine year old son, I can only hope he has the opportunity to experience what we all did by knowing and by being couched by such a fine person.

Bob Kenney

John: You are also a coordinating rock star for organizing the event. I had a ball......

It was truly gratifying to see young kids, now men with jobs, families and children and think that I was as asset to them. Mc G

John awesome job with the event what a crazy amount of work you did we all truly owe you. You are a really good person and should be proud of yourself. Fitz stood tall and stills shows all of us how a true leader, leads. Thanks coach.

Brian Babcock

The Hall of Fame Dinner was a wonderful tribute to Fitz. Thank you for all of your hard work. Your attention to every detail was amazing. We were so pleased to be included with all the great alumni of the Hampton Bays Wrestling Program. As late-comers(97'-2001') to the Baymen wrestling program it was a honor and privilege to meet many of the wrestlers that helped to make this a phenomenal program. But we all know it would not have been as good as it was without the "Legend" himself-Fitz. Thanks to everyone who attended for making it a memorable night for a terrific man.

John, thank you again.

Sincerely,

Pat and Virginia McGovern

What a wonderful event, I would like to personally thank John Tobin for his commitment, passion and persistence in bring this event to fruition. And, although it goes without saying but needs to be...Fitz is a Rockstar, and I thank him from the bottom of the heart some people say is hard to locate in me.

A day that I will remember forever.

Sincerely,

Thomas McSherry

P.S. Great to see all of you

How do you get 650, hungry, unruly, chattering wrestlers to stop talking and listen?

You introduce Mike Fitzgerald!

Thanks to everyone! Great crowd, great inductees, great evening.

Friends of Long Island Wrestling

Hall of Fame Banquet Program (Fitz references only)

National Wrestling Hall of Fame Program

National Wrestling Hall of Fame Program

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National Wrestling Hall of Fame Program

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I saw this posted to the Long Island Wrestling site, Andy Slawson's (Newsday) list of best wrestlers of each Suffolk County High School, what do you think?

Andy Slawson's List - posted on his behalf

Amityville---Ron Moss---1968---3X county champ, 2X state finalist, 1X state champ
Babylon---Bob Morgan---1972---county champ
Bayport-Blue Point---Mike Murnane---1981---2X couty champ, 1X state champ
Bay Shore---Guy Guccione---1956---4X county champ, 3X Long Island champ AND Eddie Hubbard---1959
---4X all county, 3X county champ and 3X Long Island champ
Bellport---Dan Roberts---2001---2X county champ, 2X all-state, 1X state champ
Brentwood ---Bob Antonacci---1972---3X county finalist, 2X county champ, 2X state champ
Centereach---Keith Mattias---1992---state champ
Centereach Moriches---
Central Islip---Andy Rodriuguez---2010---2X county champ, 2X all-state, 1X state champ; not finished yet
Commack---
Commack North---Pete Mankowich---1981---state champ
Commack South---Dan Hopkins---1981---2X county champ, 2X state finalist, 1X state champ
Comsewogue---Adam Mariano---1989---3X county champ, 3X state finalist, 2X state champ
Connetquot---Joe Herrman---1986---2X county champ, 2X all-state, 1X state champ
Copiague---Dean Morrison---1994---state champ
Deer Park---Angello Zegarelli---1995---4X all-county, 3X county finalist, 2X county champ, 2X all-state, 1X state champ
East Hampton---Eric---1987---3X all-county, 2X county finalist, 1Xcounty champ
East Islip---Rob Vaccaro-2002---4X county champ, 4X all-state, 2X state champ
Eastport-South Manor---
Greenport---Alex Hunt---1996---2X all-county, 1X county finalist
Half Hollow Hills---Dennis Hewitt---1972---2X county champ, 1X state finalist
Half Hollow Hills East--- Stephen Hromada---2003---state champ
Half Hollow Hills West---Dean Galaso---1986---county champ, 4th in state
Hampton Bays---John Case---1997---3X county finalist, 2X county champ, 2X all-state (3rd and 4th)
Harborfields---Jim Abbott---1977---2X county champ, 2X all-state (6th and 3rd)
Hauppauge---Michael Messina---1999---2X state champ
Huntington---so tough to choose---Jeff Thomas---1986 AND
Gene McNeil---1986---both 4X all –county, Thomas was 3X county champ,3X allstate (1st, 1st, 3rd);
McNeil was a 2X county champ and 2X state champ AND
Pat Flynn---2002---3X county champ, 3x state finalist, 2X state champ
Islip---Tom Longobardi, Mike Patrovich, Ryan Patrovich, and Lance Wade---all made the state finals twice
Kings Park---Mike Soria and Max Soria
John Glenn---Mike Castellano
Lindenhurst---Ken Melchoir---1965---2X state champ
Longwood---John Lange---1994---3X state champ; Rason Phifer---1995---3X state finalist, 2X state champ
Mattituck---Charles Kozora---2000---2X all-county
Mercy---Vin Sullivan---1998---all-county
Miller Place--- Zach Buonaiuto---2009---2X county champ, 2X all-state (5th, 5th)
Mt. Sinai---Ryan Bernholz---1996---5X all-county, 2X county champ, 1X state champ
Newfield---Bob DeSoto---1981---3X county finalist, 2X county champ, 1X all-state (3rd)
North Babylon---Jack Sparacio---1988—2X county champ, state runnerup
Northport---Rob Parker---2004---3X all-county, 1X county champ, state runnerup;
OR Mike Tillman---1978---4X all-county (4X top three), 2X county finalist, 1X county champ
Patchogue-Medford---Nick Garone---1986---state champ; AND
Artie Weidler---1998---4X all-county, 2X county finalist, county champ, state runnerup
Port Jefferson---Jamie St. John---1989---3X county champ, 3X all-state, 2X state champ
Riverhead---Walter Miles---1963---3X county champ, state runnerup
Rocky Point---Mike Torriero---2000---4X couonty finalist, 2X county champ, 2X state finalist, state champ
Also: Rob Wyllie---1994---4X all-county, 3X county champ, 3X all-state;
AND Matt Wyllie---1997---4X county champ, 4X all-state
Sachem North---Mike Falcon---1980---2X state champ;
Dan Mayo---1983—3X county finalist, 2X county champ, 2X state finalist, state champ and MOW; AND
Wayne Wilson---1987---4X League I champ, 4X all-county, 3X county finalist, 2X county champ, 2X all-state (3rd, 1st), state champ;
AND John Carvalhiera---1993---3X all-county, 2X county champ, 2X all-state (1st, 3rd), state champ, National HS Champion
Sachem East---Matt Ferber---2006---2X county champ, 2X state finalist, state champ
Sayville---Peter Yozzo---1983---2 x county champ, state champ
Shoreham-Wading River---Jesse Jantzen---2000---6X league champ, 6X county champ, 6X all-state (4 titles, 2 third places),
4X state champ, 2X state MOW, National HS Champ, National MOW, Career record: 221-3.
Also, Corey Jantzen---2007---5X all-county, 4X county champ,
4X all-state, 3X state finalist, 2X state champ Career record: 172-7
Smithtown---Pete Vanderlofske---1964---3X county champ, 2X state finalist, state champ;
Jack Spates---1970---2X county champ, 2X all-state (4th, 1st), state champ
Smithtown East---Jay Spates---1974---2X county champ, 2X all-state (4th, 2nd), state runnerup
Smithtown West---Craig Richey---1980---3X county finalist, 2X county champ
Southampton---Lester Ware---1977—3rd place in county
Stony Brook----Scott Dodd---1977---3X all-county, 2 X county finalist
Walt Whitman---Mike Guistizia---1978---3X all-county, 2X county champ, 2X all-state, state champ
Ward Melville---John Arceri---1981---state champ
West Babylon---Joe Lidowski---1977---2X state champ
Westhampton Beach---Paul Bass---1978---county champ; OR Kevin Federico---1973---county champ
West Islip---Rick Brzozinski---1986---4X all-county; 3X county champ, 3X state finalist, 2X state champ
William Floyd---Ryan Maurer---2000---3X all-county (top 3), 2X county champ, 2X state champ
Wyandanch---Thomas Marrero---1997---2X state champ

ANNOUNCEMENTS
-On Friday, April 24, 2015 Robert Emmons, former assistant wrestling coach, will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame at the Marriott Hotel in Melville, NY.