Even at first glance, football head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s Facebook page exemplifies everything that he preaches to his players. It shows his love for football, his incredibly cute family and his focus on academics and philanthropy.
However, the page has a much greater purpose in the realm of Northwestern football. Through social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter, Fitzgerald has revolutionized recruiting and marketing for the football team.
Fitzgerald says that he loves using Facebook and Twitter because of their dual impact.
“I think [Twitter’s] a good way to market our program to our fans,” Fitzgerald said. “[Facebook] is a great way to put a face with an email — and all guys like looking at pictures.”
As shown by the recent giveaway of shirts for his Facebook friends, the marketing department has taken advantage of Fitzgerald’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
Weinberg freshman Daniel Oh got the shirt for being in the marching band, but later friended Fitzgerald because of his star status on campus.
“At first I didn’t even know he had a Facebook and I thought it was pretty cool. [Fitzgerald running it] is what I was hoping for,” Oh said.
Other students, such as McCormick sophomore Jenny Saluk, became one of Fitzgerald’s 2,662 friends to date after hearing about a similar promotion for a free purple towel last fall.
“All you had to do was friend Fitz on Facebook,” Saluk said. “I was in the mode where all I wanted was free gear from Northwestern.”
Like his Facebook page, his Twitter account has had an impact. After 341 tweets, Fitzgerald has accumulated more than 1,500 followers. While Fitz may not understand the trends and rationale behind the social media movement, he’s sure thankful for the interest it has drawn.
“This time last year we didn’t have Twitter and I still don’t know what it means,” Fitzgerald said. “I still don’t know why anybody cares what I’m doing but I think it’s kind of cool.”
Marketing isn’t the only place where Fitzgerald’s use of social media has had a profound effect, though.
For many recruits, Facebook is a much easier communication tool. Rashad Lawrence, a high school senior wide receiver from Orlando, Fla. who has already committed to the ‘Cats, said that the use of Facebook helped humble Fitzgerald.
“It makes him a little more down to earth,” Lawrence said. “Some coaches think they are way up on the pedestal and won’t come down when they talk to you. Contact on Facebook and stuff like that makes me feel more comfortable.”
This level of comfort has its pitfalls. The photographs on a potential recruit’s page may affect his scholarship status. While Fitzgerald has never rescinded an offer based on a Facebook page, he has recommended that some change what’s on their page, and has talked to them about the reasons behind the pictures.
Freshman halfback Mike Trumpy said that he attributes Fitzgerald’s technological savvy to his youth.
“It’s kind of unique because obviously not a lot of other coaches do that,” Trumpy said. “It shows how Fitz is – he’s a young guy who’s trying to relate to the student-athletes.”
Quarterback Trevor Siemian, a fellow commit and teammate of Lawrence, said that Fitzgerald’s youth, energy and openness helped convince him to attend Northwestern.
“I was kind of looking for that when I was looking at schools. I wanted to play for an upbeat and energetic guy and I think Fitz fits the bill,” Siemian said. “Coach Fitz is young and relates well. He’s not that far removed from college ball so I was almost looking for that in particular — the younger and more energetic coach.”
Luckily for Siemian, Trumpy said that Fitzgerald brings the same energy and passion seen in recruitment to the football field.
“He really brings up the mood in practice because he’s so fun and enthusiastic and always having a good time,” Trumpy said. “He’s always trying to get us up and it really helps and makes practice a lot of fun.”