Delaware Valley Regional High School’s Andy Fitz has been named New Jersey Coach of the Year in boys wrestling by the National Federation of High Schools Coaches Association for 2022-23. He will be honored at a brunch on Sunday, Jan. 14, at the Pines Manor in Edison.
Fitz is the kind of guy who loves his work so much that whenever he gets a paycheck, he feels like he’s getting away with something. Enthusiasm is the key to his coaching record of 266 wins and only 95 losses. He quotes Emerson: “Nothing great is ever achieved without enthusiasm.” And he has it – for the sport, for the wrestlers, and even for teaching mathematics, which he’s been doing for almost 20 years.
“The students know I love to teach math and that they will get my best each day in the classroom, just like the wrestlers know I will run the best possible practices each day,” he said.
Fitz, Del Val Class of 1990, wrestled for Del Val when his father, Vince, was coaching perennial state championship teams. After college, the younger Fitz worked as an engineer in the private sector, returning to his alma mater to teach in 2004. He became head wrestling coach in 2007.
He says, “Wrestling is a sport where you need to work hard and be disciplined, but the rewards outweigh all the effort; you can achieve great things as both an individual and a team. And at Del Val, they know they have tremendous community support along the way.”
Tournaments are exciting, but Fitz loves the routine dual meets best. “To have a packed gym and see two schools competing in an intense environment is an unbelievable experience.”
He and his coaches have managed to take a one-on-one sport and build team spirit so strong that his wrestlers “care as much for each of their teammates’ performances as much as their own. This team atmosphere is created by all we do in and out of season, and celebrating our success individually as well as our team performances. I surround the team with positive people, including my longtime coaches, who are just as passionate about this sport and the team atmosphere as I am,” he said.
“I find it incredibly rewarding to help our wrestlers reach their potential, both with the team and as individuals. To see people achieve their goals – whether it is to be a state champ or just get a few varsity wins – is what drives me.”
Del Val Athletic Director Lance Jacobs praised Fitz for building a K-12 wrestling program in the Del Val community, and said, “The recognition is affirmation of his talents and efforts as an educator and coach within our community.”
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