Courtesy of Michael Lyn
Perennial Pine Crest Swim Coach Jay Fitzgerald was included into the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame this past Tuesday, October 27, 2014. Coach Jay was honored for his significant contribution to the sport, developing swimmers from all levels, from the Olympics straight though to Senior and Junior Nationals, College, High School and Age Group.
Coach Jay had led the Pine Crest program since 1995, during which, he has coached 227 High School Americans, 38 High School individual State Champions and has a Boys dual meet record of 138-25, Girls 145-16. He was named Coach of the Year by the Sun-Sentinel or Miami Herald 13 times and had Coached the Swimmer of the Year by the Sun-Sentinel or Miami Herald 9 times.
Some of his highest honors include, South Sectional National High School Coach of the Year- 2006; NISCA Achievement Award for excellence in High School Coaching-2011; ASCA-American Swim Coaches Association Hall of Fame Induction-2012.
Long time friend, Olympic record holder and Senior Coach, Mariusz Podkoscielny gave his introduction at the ceremony. He was joined by his wife Elizabeth and the entire Pine Crest Coaching staff along with this years other recipients, Ryan Hunter-Reay, winner of the Indianapolis 500 this year, Howard Davis, Jr. (boxing), Miami Dolphins great center Dwight Stephenson, Olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards-Ross and veteran track and field official William T. Reeves.