Brian Fitzpatrick didn’t envision a storybook ending because when he first contemplated retiring, few would’ve thought such a finale was possible.
But, after a remarkable turnaround season that culminated in Albertus Magnus reaching the boys soccer state semifinals last November, Fitzpatrick has decided to make that his closing chapter, the head coach ending a long and decorated tenure at his alma mater.
“It feels right, but it’s definitely difficult,” said Fitzpatrick, who announced his retirement this week after leading the team for 29 years. “There are (players) coming back who I’d love to keep coaching, but I know that would always be the case. There would never be a time when it’s easy to walk away.”
Certainly not after all the achievements earned and relationships forged, and the moments that became lifelong memories. Among them, of course, was guiding Albertus Magnus to a long-awaited section title with his youngest son, Colin Fitzpatrick, starring for the team and another son, Jack, alongside him as an assistant coach.
“There have been years we didn’t win many games, but they were still enjoyable because of the kids and their families,” he said. “It wasn’t a goal to end it like this, but us having this kind of season definitely made it more special.”
Brian Fitzpatrick compiled 273 career wins along with four Section 1 championships, three regional titles and a state crown in 2006. The team more than quadrupled its win total from the previous season last fall, capturing its first section title in almost two decades en route to the Class B state final four.
“I’m proud of what we accomplished over the years, and being an Albertus alum makes it even more meaningful to me,” he said.
Colin committed earlier this month to Moravian University and, with some additonal free time, Brian Fitzpatrick will make trips to Pennsylvania to watch him play this autumn.
The 53-year-old still is an elementary school teacher in the Clarkstown district, but he had leaned toward stepping away from coaching since last summer. The decision was made once the Falcons’ offseason training program resumed in the new year.
“I don’t have it in me to do it year-round anymore,” Brian Fitzpatrick said, though he won’t rule out a possible return as an assistant coach at some point. “These guys deserve to have someone who can be 100% committed.”
The hardest part of this, he said, was breaking the news to his players. There were some whispers within the soccer community that Fitzpatrick might retire, having his last high school season coincide with Colin’s. His players weren’t entirely surprised by the announcement, but there still was some disappointment.
“I’ve spoken to a lot of them,” Brian Fitzpatrick said, “and it makes me feel good hearing that they’ll miss me.”
He’ll miss them, too, and the program he belonged to for most of his life.
Brian Fitzpatrick played four years at Albertus Magnus and, shortly after graduating college, he became the girls soccer assistant coach — hired by his former high school coach, Bob Walkley, who by then was leading the girls program. Fitzpatrick was named varsity boys coach in 1997.
Among the most fulfilling things, he said, was getting to coach his three sons, including Sean, who is now a college senior. Tim Gavan, a former player and assistant of his, now coaches Keio Academy and Colin’s travel soccer team. Walkley, who was retired, joined Fitzpatrick’s coaching staff, adding to the sentimental ring of full circles during the farewell run.
“To have it end like this,” Brian Fitzpatrick said, “I couldn’t have scripted it any better.”
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Longtime Albertus Magnus boys soccer coach Brian Fitzpatrick retires
Reporting by Stephen Haynes, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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