ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – Lewis University Director of Athletics Dr. John Planek announced on Tuesday (August 31) that John Fitzgerald has been named the new Associate Director of Athletics for External Relations. Fitzgerald comes to Lewis after spending the last seven years as the head baseball coach at the University of Chicago.

"John Fitzgerald brings a wealth of experience from multiple arenas.," Dr. Planek said. "His experiences at Loyola, Illinois Institute of Technology, Notre Dame, Illinois State, North Central and the University of Chicago will provide a strong foundation in his position and will serve us well at Lewis University." 

"I am incredibly honored to join Dr. Planek's outstanding team at Lewis University," Fitzgerald said. "Throughout its history Lewis University has established an impeccable reputation, both on the playing field as well as the classroom. I look forward to helping Lewis athletics continue to extend the Flyer Brand throughout the region while also helping to provide an outstanding experience for the Lewis student-athletes." 

Fitzgerald began his career in intercollegiate athletics as the Director of Marketing and Broadcasting at Loyola Chicago for three years from 1999-2002. During his time with the Ramblers he coordinated all marketing, corporate sales and sponsorship efforts for the athletic department. Fitzgerald also served as the radio and television play-by-play broadcaster for the men's basketball program.

He then moved to Bloomington, Ill., where he served as the Sports Director at WJBC Radio. He served as the radio play-by-play broadcaster for Illinois State University football and men's basketball. Fitzgerald also anchored morning sports reports, hosted weekly coaches' shows and handled sales for the radio station and the state-wide Illinois State Redbird Radio Network.

He returned to intercollegiate athletics in the summer of 2003 when he was named Assistant Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach at Illinois Institute of Technology. In addition to his role as baseball coach, he also coordinated all external operations for the department, including sports information, marketing and alumni affairs.

After three years at Illinois Tech, Fitzgerald moved onto Notre Dame where he served as a volunteer assistant coach for the baseball team. He tutored pitchers, catchers and outfielders for the Fighting Irish while coaching first base and coordinating baseball camps.

He returned to Loyola Chicago in November 2007 serving as the radio and tv play-by-play broadcaster for the Rambler men's basketball program until March 2016.

Fitzgerald also served as an adjunct professor in Physical Education, teaching classes in sports management and sports marketing at the College of DuPage for three years.

While he was at Loyola, he also served as the head baseball coach and was an assistant professor in sport management at North Central College where he led the Cardinals to three College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) tournament berths, a regular season title an NCAA Tournament berth and was named the CCIW Coach of the Year in 2010.

He was named the head baseball coach at the University of Chicago in September 2014. In his tenure leading the Maroons, his teams compiled a team grade point average exceeding 3.5 in seven consecutive academic years, including 3.62 in 2018-19.

Fitzgerald was named the Midwest Conference North Division Coach of the Year in 2019. He coached two First Team All-Americans, including the DIII Rookie of the Year in 2021. Fitzgerald also coordinated athletic department alumni events and communications.

Fitzgerald earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago in 1999 and his master's in business administration from Loyola Chicago in 2002.

He and his wife Kelly have two children, Colton and Vivian.