Dick Fitzgerald
Toronto Huskies Player-Coach | BAA Coach | Fordham Basketball Player
Dick Fitzgerald was born on November 18, 1920, in Queens, New York. He played college basketball at Fordham University before beginning his professional basketball career.
Fitzgerald played 2 seasons in the Basketball Association of America (BAA) with the Toronto Huskies and Providence Steamrollers. He appeared in 61 career games, averaging 4.5 points and 0.7 assists per game.
During the 1946-1947 season, Fitzgerald briefly served as the interim player-coach of the Toronto Huskies. He coached 3 games and finished with a 2-1 record before Red Rolfe took over the team for the remainder of the season.
Coach Fitzgerald passed away on April 13, 1968, at the age of 47.
- Overall Coaching Record: 2-1
Coaching Career
Dick Fitzgerald joined the Toronto Huskies as a player during the inaugural 1946-1947 Basketball Association of America season.
The Huskies started the season with Ed Sadowski serving as the team’s player-coach. After Sadowski stepped away from the position following a 3-9 start, managing director Lew Hayman coached one game before Fitzgerald was named the interim player-coach.
Fitzgerald won his first game as head coach on December 5, 1946, when the Huskies defeated the Chicago Stags 65-61. Two days later, Toronto defeated the Providence Steamrollers 68-59 to give Fitzgerald a 2-0 start.
Toronto lost Fitzgerald’s third game as head coach 85-73 to the Philadelphia Warriors on December 10. Fitzgerald finished his coaching stint with a 2-1 record and was replaced by Red Rolfe, who coached the Huskies for the remainder of the season.
Fitzgerald remained a player with Toronto and appeared in all 60 games during the Huskies’ only season. Toronto finished with a 22-38 record, missed the playoffs, and folded following the season.
Notable Players Coached
- Kleggie Hermsen
- 1948 BAA Champion with the Baltimore Bullets
- Played 6 seasons in the BAA/NBA
- Mike McCarron
- Leading scorer for the Toronto Huskies during the 1946-1947 season
- Scored 24 points during Fitzgerald’s final game as head coach