Larry Fitzpatrick – ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT, 1980-2021
It was August, 1980. Gasoline prices were $1.19 a gallon; the number one song in the country was “Magic,” by Olivia Newton John, and Larry Fitzpatrick, who had just recently married his college sweetheart and best friend, Cathy, received a “magi- cal” phone call from his brother Richard. On that day, Richard, a recent Milton Academy grad, called and told Larry he’d heard about a job opportunity at Mil- ton teaching physical education and coaching.
Larry immediately applied for the position, and after meeting with Neil Kelleher, the School’s athletic director, Larry got the word that he would be working with the Mustangs. So Larry and Cathy loaded up their U-Haul and started their trek to Milton. Neither of them ever thought that Milton would become their home for the next 41 years.
They soon settled into Robbins House, and Larry dove head first into the Milton community, coaching football, hockey, and baseball; teaching Middle School physical education courses; and being a dorm parent. While he was immersing himself in the Milton Academy world, he was working outside school to become a certified athletic trainer. In 1982, when longtime athletic trainer Mike
Dennault retired, Larry stepped in and led the Athletic Training Services for the next 39 years. He has set a standard of excel- lence in treating student athletes. He has also supported the athletic training staff members immeasurably: pushing us out of our comfort zones, encouraging us to be deeply involved in the Milton community, to take pride in our work, to respect and listen to others, and to find balance between work and family.
Larry has given this community as much as he has received and more. Throughout his
time at Milton, Larry worked to enhance every aspect of the community that he has been a part of, with one guiding principle leading him in all things: Students First. It was this principle that inspired Larry to grow as an educator, a medical professional, a mentor, and an innovator. After taking a course outside Milton that focused on team building, personal accountability, and fostering mutual trust and respect, Larry decided that Milton students would benefit greatly from such a program. With his ideal of Students First, Larry brought Project Adventure to Milton, changing the way students learn and grow as individuals and in groups. As Ben Simpson, one of the recent class valedictorians, said in his speech just a few days ago, “Project Adventure matters.” It may not be visible in the moment, but what it offers and builds in students is a game changer and highly impactful.
In 1998, Larry joined Jane Brewer as Class IV dean to help provide important support to first-year students in the Upper School. After working together over a length of time, Jane and Larry suggested to the administration the importance of having a consistent team
of Class deans for this import- ant transition year to Milton, instead of a yearly changeover. The administration agreed, and after Jane retired, Mickey Stiemle stepped in. The Class IV “Dynamic Dean Duo” was born! Over the next 10 years, Larry and Mickey dedicated themselves to creating an environment and programming that would support Class IV students during this critical year. Their ideas and efforts have become staples and fixtures in the Class IV support systems used today.
As one can see, Larry has always devoted himself to the Milton Academy community in many different ways. He has never taken shortcuts or shied away from challenges. He has been a leader in so many settings for a variety of departments and faculty groups. His leadership, vision, energy, passion, courage, and empathy are only a few of his contributions to our community.
And now that you have spent so many years putting Students First, it’s time to move on to the next adventure. I would say in- stead of putting Students First, it’s time to put Larry First, but I know you won’t. So I’ll just say this in closing: To quote the four famous words that you tell your Class IV students as they exit your class each day: Larry…Be Happy, Be Safe!
—STEVE DARLING