Hall of Fame

Induction Year: 2017

Pat Fitzgerald was a dominating force for the Eagles’ football program in the early 1990’s. Not only was he one of the best linebackers in the state, but he played both sides of the ball, serving as a tight end for the offense. Pat earned All-Conference honors in 1991 and 1992 and was named second team All-State in 1992. By the time his senior season was over, Pat became the all-time school leader in tackles, was named The Star’s Defensive Player of the Year, and was the 1993 Carl Sandburg High School Male Athlete of the Year. While Pat’s football accomplishments are well known, he was also a member of the baseball and basketball teams.

Pat earned a scholarship to play football for the Northwestern Wildcats. He was a linebacker for the Wildcats from 1993 - 1996. It was there that he lead a defense for the 1995 Wildcats that allowed more than 20 points in a game only one time all season. The Wildcats were 15-1 in Big Ten play during his junior and senior seasons, won back to back Big Ten titles and had a storied run to the Rose Bowl in 1995. Pat was an integral part of the defense. He was the first two-time winner of the Bronko Nagurski and Chuck Bednarik awards which are given to the nation’s top defensive player. By the time his playing career at Northwestern ended, Pat was a two-time All-American, Sports Illustrated Defensive Player of the Year, and four time Defensive Player of the Week honoree.

Pat currently serves as the Head Football Coach for the Northwestern Wildcats. At the time of his hiring in 2006, Fitzgerald, only 31 years of age, was the youngest head coach in D1 history. He also became the youngest member in College Football’s Hall of Fame when he was inducted in 2008. Although he his heart bleeds Wildcat purple, Pat still holds Eagle gold and blue near and dear. Pat married Carl Sandburg alumna, Stacy Mraz, and they have three sons Brendan, Ryan and Jack.