Class 2012: Max Fitzgerald, DE, Citadel Phoenix

Today, CFC features class 2012 star defensive end from the Citadel Phoenix, Max Fitzgerald. Max started playing football for the peewee Halifax Argos.

Max Fitzgerald

Positions:
Defensive End

Height/Weight:
6’2, 200 lbs

Teams:
Citadel Phoenix (high school)
Halifax Seahawks (junior varsity)
Halifax Chargers (bantam)
Halifax Argos (peewee)

Commitment:
None

Consideration:
Mount Allison, Acadia, Toronto, St. Francis Xavier, Open

Class:
2012

Max Fitzgerald started his football career in grade seven with the peewee Halifax Argos. Two years later, the star defensive end moved over to the bantam Halifax Chargers.

Once Max started playing high school ball for the Citadel Phoenix, the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL) took notice. In 2010 and 2011, the Phoenix player was named the league’s lineman of the year for the Nova Division.

Additionally, Max was selected both years to the NSSAFFL Nova Division first all-star team for the defensive line. The star defensive end was part of three straight NSSAFFL Tier 1 championship teams with the Phoenix (2009-2011). Max also played in the Nova Scotia Varsity Football League for the Halifax Seahawks in the spring of 2010.

As for the highlight of Max’s football career, it came in the 2010 NSSAFFL championship game, when the Phoenix took on the Sir John A MacDonald Flames.

“My most memorable moment in football is catching a fake field goal pass on third down in the championship game last year we were tied 7-7 and I felt that sprung our team,” comments the defensive star.

As for football influences, Max cites Phoenix defensive line coaches Harrison Petropolis and Dan Parker as the main ones. He says Phoenix co-head coach and defensive coordinator Jeff Lawley has played a role in shaping his football career.

However, the graduating player says that some special people have had an impact on his life.

“The most influential people in my life would have to be my family: my mom and dad and my grandparents,”says Max. “It was my grandmother that taught me to catch when I was a little kid.”

Aside from football, Max plays basketball and does a lot of sailing. Also, the star defensive end has a unique talent which has garnered him a title from his friends.

“My friends tell me I know a lot of random facts and they call me “Facts Max”,” explains the Phoenix player of his talent.

After high school is completed, Max hopes to further his studies at the university level. He would like to pursue a commerce degree with the possibility starting his own business in the future.

The graduating star has learned something valuable from football. “Football has taught me as Coach Petropolis says “hard work pays off”,” comments Max. “If you work hard, good things will happen.”

Phoenix co-head coach Lawley says whenever there is an opportunity; the coaching staff reminds players on the defensive line (including Max) that they do determine the outcome of a game.

However, Lawley says that the star defensive end has been an asset to the Phoenix.

“As valuable as Max Fitzgerald is to us on our D-Line, it is also of significant note that he could literally play any other position on the football field, and be successful,” adds Lawley. “Max has a great set of hands and as such has caught many passes on our fake field goals over the last two years.”

Max has been a pleasure for the Phoenix coaching staff to instruct on the field. Lawley comments that the defensive end is one of the smartest players he has ever come across. “He has a great feel for the game and always makes good decisions,” explains Lawley. “He has a wonderful attitude and a terrific work ethic.”

“He will be missed!”

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