By Eric Stock

NORMAL – Andrew McDowell has been promoted to head boys’ basketball coach at University High School as Bob Fitzgerald has resigned to accept a six-month Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching grant to the United Kingdom.

“Nobody likes to read a book that doesn’t have chapters,” Fitzgerald said. “This is just a new chapter in my life, personally and professionally and I’m excited to see what’s going to unfold.”

McDowell has served as the Pioneers’ freshman boys’ basketball coach since 2013 under Fitzgerald.

PODCAST: Listen to WJBC’s interview with Fitzgerald.

McDowell, a six year assistant basketball coach and two year assistant baseball coach for U-High, is also a University High School alum and former basketball and baseball player for the Pioneers.

A faculty associate in the Business Department at University High and an Illinois State University graduate, McDowell has had the opportunity to claim Bob Fitzgerald, Lester Hampton, and Cal Hubbard as mentors who have played a huge roll in developing his knowledge of the game, his team management skills, and his ability to lead and motivate young student-athletes.

McDowell also served as the head boys’ basketball coach at Lexington High School from 2010 to 2013.

“Coach McDowell is a young, enthusiastic coach who relates extremely well with our student-athletes. He is a true student of the game who is always looking for ways to educate and motivate himself, our players, and our coaching staff,” Athletic Director Wendy Smith said.

The Fulbright Distinguished Award given by Fitzgerald was provided by the U.S. State Department and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

Fitzgerald added he’s not sure when or if he’ll get back into coaching.

“It’s going to be hard to step away from coach and basketball but I’m at peace with the decision,” Fitzgerald said.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].