Eastern Connecticut State University

Michael D. Fitzgerald might well be the most complete player to ever wear an Eastern soccer uniform. At 5-foot-8 inches and 165 pounds, Fitzgerald lettered four seasons under Hall of Fame coach Tom Nevers as a skilled forward with tremendous speed and quickness. An honorable mention All-New-England selection as a senior, Fitzgerald scored goals (32 in his career), set up his teammates (18 assists) and played aggressive defense. With Mickey and brother John joined by a number of talented and hard- working teammates, Eastern enjoyed a reputation as a virtually unbeatable program between 1966 and 1969. In that span, the Warriors lost just two of 44 regular-season matches (40-2-2), qualifying for their first four NAIA post-season tournaments and posting back-to-back undefeated regular seasons (23-0-1) and NAIA District 32 championships in 1968 and ’69. Fitzgerald scored 28 of his career goal total in his final two seasons, including a career-high 15 in 1969 when the Warriors scored 92 goals – reportedly the second-most goals in a season in collegiate history – in winning all 12 regular season matches and qualifying for their second straight NAIA national tournament. The Mansfield native was also a four-year starter as a middle infielder in baseball under Hall of Fame coach Bill Holowaty, batting .266 with 40 walks in a 62-game career. In baseball, he lettered as a middle-infielder on the program’s first two NAIA post-season tournament qualifiers. As a senior, he served as a team captain, batted .329 and was named the team’s Most Improved Player.