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On May 24, 2005, the WVU Rugby brotherhood suffered a tremendous loss when William Patrick Fitzpatrick, known to us all simply as “Fitzy,” died of cancer in Morgantown. Few outside of his immediate family knew that he was terminally ill, which is exactly the way Fitzy wanted it. He lived life on his own terms, and he went out the same way he lived. Instead of dwelling on a life that ended too soon, let’s raise a glass and smile when we remember that for two decades Fitzy (a.k.a. Fitzwad, Gelmo, Gonad the Testicle, and the father of Fred Parker) epitomized the heart and soul of WVU Rugby both on and off the pitch. A unique and gregarious character who fell in love with the game at an age when most players contemplate retirement, he remained a WVU stalwart for nearly two decades as player, coach, referee, faculty advisor, and songster extraordinaire. He thrived on the camaraderie and spirit of competition that epitomizes the game of rugby, and he loved hanging out with the boys and swapping tales of past glories. In its 30-year history, WVU Rugby has produced two larger-than-life legends. One is the ever formidable Patesa Mahe, who still looks like he could lace ‘em up for a full 80 minutes. The other is the incomparable Fitzy, who will be fondly remembered holding court at Redbeard’s, barking out lineout signals in Tongan obscenities, waxing poetic in English class, swaggering into a party cradling a Bud in one hand and a half-smoked Marlboro in the other, or chatting up some tasty babe (and occasionally getting lucky as we all watched in stunned disbelief!). We all have our own special memories of this small mountain of a man with no neck, a ponytail, and his trademark toothless grin. On behalf of WVU ruggers past, present and future, we dedicate this website to the late, great Bill Fitzpatrick. Rest in peace, Fitzy—we miss you brother. Billy Some photos of Fitz. Click on the image for a larger version.
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