Billy Fitzgerald

William James Fitzgerald (February 20, 1888 – June 30, 1926) was a Canadian field lacrosse player. He played professional lacrosse with the Toronto Lacrosse Club and Vancouver Lacrosse Club in the early 1900s, and was a member of Vancouver's 1911 Minto Cup-winning squad. Fitzgerald served as men's lacrosse coach at Hobart College, and later worked as a lacrosse referee. Canada's Sports Hall of Fame inducted Fitzgerald in 1961, and the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame honored him four years later.

Biography Fitzgerald was born in St. Catharines, Ontario. In 1904, he started playing lacrosse as an offensive player. His Dictionary of Canadian Biography profile states that "he often carried the ball, and was an excellent passer and shooter." The team was the Globe Shield champion in both of Fitzgerald's seasons with them.

Fitzgerald became a professional lacrosse player in 1909 and joined the Toronto Lacrosse Club. His exploits earned him recognition as far away as British Columbia, which led to Vancouver Lacrosse Club owner Con Jones attempting to sign Fitzgerald for the 1911 season. In an attempt to improve his club to make a run at a Minto Cup championship, Jones signed both Fitzgerald and Newsy Lalonde; Fitzgerald got a $5,000 contract. With Fitzgerald, Vancouver won the 1911 Minto Cup. Following the season, Fitzgerald returned to the Toronto Lacrosse Club, as its contract offer exceeded the best one made by Jones. Canada's Sports Hall of Fame inducted him in 1961. The Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame honored him in 1965 as a founding member.