Wednesday, April 17, 2002
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Wednesday, April 17, 2002 |
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PTC resident rewarded for his coaching achievements Courtney R. "Pete" Fritts of Peachtree City, who has helped build Georgia into one of the strongest state organizations in the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA), will be inducted into the NHSCA Hall of Achievement for 2002. Fritts was honored at the pre-Championships banquet April 4 at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, and also prior to the championship finals of the 13th annual NHSCA National High School Seniors Wrestling Championships April 7 at the Public Hall Convention Center in Cleveland. The NHSCA Hall of Achievement recognizes outstanding role models whose lives have been shaped by their involvement with wrestling. These individuals have made major contributions that have impacted and promoted wrestling programs and provided additional opportunities for today's youth. Fritts is the 20th individual to be inducted into the Hall of Achievement since its inception in 1993. "Pete Fritts is truly an American hero," NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. "Not only did he serve his country with pride and distinction, but his efforts were directly responsible for giving thousands of America's youth the opportunity to compete in wrestling and reap its benefits. Pete did this out of his love for wrestling and his desire to help kids. Every American owes him a debt of gratitude." Fritts spent 20 years on active duty with the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. He served tours of duty with the 82nd Airborne Division (Fort Bragg, N.C.), the 25th Infantry Division (Hawaii and Vietnam), the Imperial Iranian Gendarmerie (Teheran, Iran), the Pentagon (Washington, D.C.), Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army/United Nations Command/JUSMAAG (Seoul, Korea), and Headquarters, Forces Command, Fort McPherson, Ga. At virtually every location, Fritts started or reactivated wrestling programs for local military personnel and/or their dependent sons. After reassignment to Fort McPherson, Ga., he started youth wrestling programs on his Army post and in his home community, Lithonia. Fourteen of his youth wrestlers went on to win state high school championships in Georgia or in other states. Fritts earned many decorations and awards, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medals with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Joint Services Commendation Medal. He retired from active duty in 1980 and began a 19-year career as a member of the faculty at Woodward Academy in College Park, serving as head wrestling coach for 10 years as well as head baseball coach and assistant football coach. His wrestling teams compiled a record of 140-19-3. After his retirement, Fritts established the Metro Atlanta Wrestling Officials Association, which continues as a strong organization today. In 1997, Fritts became Georgia's state representative to the NHSCA, a post he still holds today. Under his direction, Team Georgia has grown from one National Open qualifying tournament with 47 participants in 1997 to four qualifying tournaments with 589 participants in 2001. Last summer, 198 Georgia wrestlers entered the NHSCA National Open Championships, the second-highest total of any state. Due to this rapid growth, Georgia will add a fifth qualifying tournament this year. Fritts and his wife of 41 years, Page, live in Peachtree City. They are the parents of a daughter, Deborah, and a son, Pete, and also have an eight-month-old granddaughter, Teagan Sage.
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