This week, Type One sat down with Pine Crest Director of Aquatics Jay Fitzgerald, who will be retiring at the end of the 2017-2018 school year after working as a renowned swim coach for 23 years. He shared some of his fondest memories, favorite moments, and proudest accomplishments that he has made over the years to show us the impact PC swimming has made on his life as well as the legacy that he will leave behind.

T1: What has been your favorite part about being a swim coach at Pine Crest?

Coach Fitzgerald: The best part about coaching is seeing a person meet or surpass their personal goals for performance in the sport. The joy that you see on their face after a successful race is amazing.

T1:  What will you miss the most about coaching?

Coach Fitzgerald: I will miss the interaction with the athletes and teaching them new skills and designing their training. I will also miss my coaching staff which is excellent and one of the best coaching staffs in the USA; each coach brings so much to the team and they are so much to interact with and work alongside each day.

T1: What do you have planned after your final year of coaching at Pine Crest?

Coach Fitzgerald: After I retire, I will spend time visiting my three sons who are living in three different areas, enjoy traveling to places with my wife, Buffy Fitzgerald (who retired from teaching at Pine Crest School two years ago), enjoy swimming, bike riding, and help from time to time if needed with the swim team whenever I am in town.  We will split our time between Ft. Lauderdale and our home in Colorado Springs, Colorado, which is also the home of the USA Olympic Committee and USA Swimming.

T1:  What are you most proud of in your career as a coach?

Coach Fitzgerald: I am most proud of placing swimmers on the Olympic, World Championship, Pan American Games, Junior World and Olympic teams for the USA or their home country and having those athletes make the podium and win medals for their performance at those high level meets.

T1: What has been your greatest contribution to PC Swimming?

Coach Fitzgerald: I think the best thing I was able to contribute to the team was to remind them that while swimming is an individual sport it is scored as a team!

T1: What is one of your favorite memories from your time coaching?

Coach Fitzgerald: My favorite memories would be seeing people achieve things that they were not sure they could achieve but were willing to work towards; once it became real, I loved seeing the excitement, joy, and smile on their face knowing they achieved it.

It is clear that Coach Fitzgerald will be greatly missed when he retires, for he has left a lasting mark on Pine Crest Swimming. His many contributions to swimmers and athletics at Pine Crest will always be remembered as well as his dedication to coaching and swimming. Type One wishes him the best in the future and cannot wait until he comes back to visit.