No Time To Stop
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May 1, 2001
By Jay Trinniman
Over its long history, the Tulane football team has had hundreds of players take the field, from the current athletes who play in the Louisiana Superdome to those of the past who entertained crowds at the old campus stadium. But perhaps the person most associated with the football program has never donned pads, thrown a pass or made a tackle. For the last 35 years, Lurlyn Fitzpatrick, or "Mrs. Fitz" as she has lovingly been dubbed, has been the heart and soul of Tulane football.
Mrs. Fitz first arrived at Tulane in 1964 looking for a part time job, "as just something to do" while her three children were in school. She started at $2.50 an hour as the office secretary for Tulane's assistant coach in charge of recruiting. What began as a simple diversion for this native New Orleanian has turned into 35 years of warm memories and timeless friendships.
While the football program has undergone continuous transformation over the past several decades, Mrs. Fitz has been a fixture of stability. Eleven head coaches have led the Green Wave football team during her tenure. By her estimates, at least 100 assistant coaches have patrolled the sidelines.
Her official job duties involve administrative work, but Mrs. Fitz is beloved for the intangibles she brought the football department. For many of the players, coming to college was the first time away from the familiarity of their homes. Mrs. Fitz became family to these players. She helped kids with all sorts of problems, academic and personal, giving them a friendly face they knew they could turn to. It is not surprising today to find Mrs. Fitz chatting with one of the countless boys she has befriended during her tenure. The walls of her office are adorned with numerous photos of ex-players thanking Mrs. Fitz for her support through the years. "When I first started, I was the kids' mother away from home," Says Mrs. Fitz. "Now I am their grandmother away from home!"
Mrs. Fitz carries with her a catalog of happy memories she has accumulated over the past 35 years. She lovingly tells the story about a student who had difficulties in his studies, but desperately wanted to get his degree. She estimates that it took seven years, but with Mrs. Fitz's encouragement and support, he graduated. "The greatest thing ever to happen to him was to get that degree," says Mrs. Fitz. She still gets Mother's Day cards from him every year.
The past season saw the 30-year reunion of the 1970 team that won Tulane's first Liberty Bowl win, a 17-3 victory over Colorado. "Some of them looked as old as I do now," exclaims Mrs. Fitz. Seeing how successful many of the players had become in their lives, prompted a proud Mrs. Fitz to declare, "Football players are not dumb jocks - not the ones that come here!"
When asked about one her fondest memories, she pulled out a commemorative doubloon from her desk drawer. When asked what it was, she smiled and told the story of the special day in 1973 that LSU traveled to Tulane Stadium. LSU had beaten Tulane for 24 straight years, but on that day, in front of 85,000 screaming fans, Tulane shocked the Tigers and sent them back to Baton Rouge with a devastating loss. The doubloon in Mrs. Fitz's hand was a coin that an overly cocky LSU had printed before the game as tribute to the ill-fated streak of 25 straight wins over Tulane that never happened.
Whereas the players have always known what Mrs. Fitz has meant to Tulane football, in 1993 she was officially recognized for her valuable contributions. An ex-football player on the Board nominated her for entrance into the Tulane Hall of Fame. She became one of only two non-athletes inducted.
This year has seen Mrs. Fitz step into a new role in the Athletic Department, working in the offices of the Tulane Athletics Fund. Rick Dickson, Tulane Athletic Director, came to Mrs. Fitz with a personal request that she join his office. "I hadn't been courted like that since I was young," smiles Mrs. Fitz. As for the reason behind the change, she says, "For many people I am the last connecting link with the past. There have been so many changes, I think it's nice for people who call the athletic department to hear a familiar voice."
At 81-years young, Mrs. Fitz has no intention of leaving Tulane. When people ask Lurlyn Fitzpatrick when she is going to stop and smell the roses, she simply responds, "These are my roses. This has been a wonderful life for me."
