April 3, 2007

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Pat Fitzgerald, head coach of Northwestern University's football team, has been chosen as one of the Ten Outstanding Young People in Illinois.

Hosted by the Illinois Jaycees, the TOYP program honors 10 individuals each year, shining a spotlight on those who have proven themselves as extraordinary community leaders. Past recipients include a long list of people who have made a significant impact in the lives of others, among them Chicago Bears' Chris Zorich and former University of Illinois basketball coach Bill Self.

This year's nominees were judged by a blue ribbon judging panel. Pat Fitzgerald and the other nine nominees will be recognized at a black tie dinner ceremony hosted and organized by the Illinois Jaycees at the Holiday Inn in Decatur on Saturday, May 5. Each of the distinguished honorees will be awarded with a bronze medallion and a plaque. This year, more than 500 are expected to attend the event. Those interested in attending the event can purchase tickets by visiting Illinois Jaycees or by calling the Illinois Jaycees headquarters in Springfield, Ill., at 217-529-5379.

Nominees need to excel in at least one of 13 TOYP categories: personal improvement or accomplishment; financial success & economic innovation; social improvement to major contemporary problems; philanthropic contribution or voluntary service; politics or government service; scientific or technological contributions; legal reform; cultural achievement (to include contributions in literature, history, education or the arts); academic leadership or accomplishment; moral and religious leadership; athletic accomplishment; success in the influence of public opinion (news media and other means); or any other important contributions to community, state or nation, at the discretion of the judges.

Fitzgerald was nominated by Yvonne Agnello, a Northwestern alumnus, a member of the Illinois Jaycees and a longtime Wildcat Football season ticket holder, in three categories: personal improvement or accomplishment; philanthropic contribution or voluntary service; and athletic accomplishment.

Agnello said: "Pat is the embodiment of a great leader and a great citizen. He truly is one of the most amazing people I've ever had the chance of encountering. Over the years, I've watched him evolve from a defensive force to an inspiring leader and I am honored to have submitted him for this extraordinary honor."

Agnello summarized the achievements in each category as follows:

Personal improvement or accomplishment
Embodying the first line of the Jaycee Creed, "We Believe," Pat has proven his belief in himself, his coaches, his family, his teammates, his professors, his colleagues and God time and time again. When faced with adversity, Pat's belief in himself allowed him to overcome challenges and obstacles, rise above them and become a better person because of the experience. When faced with a choice of going to a school with a stronger program or going to one in a rebuilding stage, Pat's belief in himself and in the vision of the coaches guided him to the choice of helping the "underdog" and turning that program around. When faced with the obstacle of a broken leg during the infamous "Cinderella" Rose Bowl season, Pat's belief in his ability allowed him to help others while he was injured and brought him back to the football field to wreak havoc on offensive lines for another year. When faced with the choice of playing in the NFL or becoming a coach, Pat's belief in his ability to lead and motivate others solidified his future as a coach and eventually led him back to Northwestern.

Philanthropic contribution or voluntary service
Embodying the line in the Jaycee Creed "And that service to humanity is the best work of life," Pat sees football as a vehicle to help other people. He truly believes in giving back to the community and he requires that every player participate in philanthropic efforts. Pat himself has been involved philanthropically since his days as an Orland Park Pioneer. As a player at Northwestern, Pat participated in the "'Cats in the Community" program which participates in many local charities and volunteer efforts such as Misericordia Candy Days and Special Olympics. While on the road for the Rose, Citrus and Senior Bowls, Pat volunteered time in each of those communities. He focused on the Make A Wish Foundation and visiting local children's hospitals. One of his most vivid memories comes from one of those visits where he held a newborn baby that was addicted to crack. This experience sparked his determination to keep kids off drugs. His recent efforts focus around drug prevention in local junior high schools and high schools and raising money for Rocky Clark, a high school player who suffered a spinal injury in 2000 and is now quadriplegic.

Athletic accomplishment
Pat has achieved success on the football field since his high school days. While at Sandburg High School in Orland Park, he was named a two-time all-conference player, two-time all-area player and an all-state player during his senior year. While at Northwestern, he was a recipient of Northwestern's 1996 George Ballatine Jr. Memorial Leadership Award. He also received the Bronko Nagurski Award (1995 and 1996) for the nation's best defensive player as determined by the Football Writers Association of America and the Chuck Bednarik Award (1995 and 1996) for the nation's best defensive player, making him the only two-time winner of both Awards. He received the Chevrolet Defensive Player of the Year (1995), the Sports Illustrated Defensive Player of the Year (1995), and the Touchdown Club of Columbus Linebacker of the Year (1996). He was also named All-Big Ten (1995 and 1996), Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (1995 and 1996), four-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and consensus first-team All-American in 1995 and 1996. Pat was inducted into the Northwestern University Athletic Hall of Fame (inducted 2003) and is currently being nominated for the College Football Hall of Fame. Fitzgerald was named by Sports Illustrated as on of college football's top 10 recruiters in 2005 and he is the youngest current Division I head football coach by five years. His player number for his first organized sports team, the Orland Park Pioneers, was recently retired, the first number to ever be retired from that organization. Through his athletic accomplishments, he embodies not just one line of the Jaycee Creed, but the entire creed. Pat achieves excellence in every aspect of his life, he provides meaning and purpose to those around him, he nurtures the spiritual, athletic and academic growth of his players, he focuses on the communities in which he plays and he mentors young men to become better citizens of the world.

Fitzgerald played football at Northwestern University from 1993 through 1996, first on special teams as a freshman and then as a linebacker for his remaining years. He was integral to the revival of the Northwestern football program and played on two Big Ten Champion teams that played in the Rose Bowl ('96) and the Citrus Bowl ('97). Fitzgerald signed a free-agent contract with the Dallas Cowboys following his Northwestern career, and played in three preseason games before taking a one-year hiatus from football.

In 1998, Pat became a defensive graduate assistant at the University of Maryland where his former NU position coach, Ron Vanderlinden, was coaching. He then moved to the same position under former NU head coach, Gary Barnett, at the University of Colorado in 1999. The offensive coordinator from CU moved to the University of Idaho in 2000, and Pat followed, taking his first full-time position as an assistant football coach. In 2001, Randy Walker hired Fitzgerald to coach the Wildcats' defensive secondary. In 2002, he moved to linebackers coach, and then in 2005, added the recruiting coordinator to his title. In July, 2006, Pat was named the 29th head football coach of the Northwestern University Wildcats.

There are nearly 4,000 Illinois Jaycees in over 100 chapters throughout the state. Illinois has the second largest number of Jaycees of any state in the United States. The Jaycees provide individuals between the age of 18 and 41 the opportunity to develop personal and leadership skills while serving their community. Every year, each chapter in the Jaycees conducts numerous programs to serve the community and accumulate funds for operation of the Chapter and community donations. Included in these projects are Fourth of July Festivals, Christmas tree sales, Haunted Houses, garage sales and other projects that benefit the community and help raise funds.

For further information on the Illinois Jaycees, membership or any of their sponsored events write to the Illinois Jaycees Service Center, 6405 Canadian Cross Drive, Springfield, Ill., 62711-7386, call them at 217-529-5379, fax them at 217-529-5293, email them at servicecenter@iljaycees.org or visit their web site at Illinois Jaycees.