Clarion Sports Hall of Fame Profile: Susan Fritz

Chris Rossetti

Chris Rossetti

Published March 24, 2019 4:17 am
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CLARION, Pa. — On April 26, the Clarion University Sports Hall of Fame will induct former tennis player Susan “Suzie” Fritz.

(Photo courtesy of Clarion University Athletics)

Fritz, a 1988 Clarion graduate with a degree in Business Administration/Finance, was an outstanding tennis player at Clarion from the 1984-85 season through the 1987-88 seasons and was part of a remarkable program turnaround that turned a losing team into NCAA Placewinners and PSAC Champions under coach Norb Baschnagel.

In 1987-88, her senior year, she posted a 19-2 singles mark at No. 2 singles, with a 17-1 record at No. 1 doubles with 2000 Hall of Fame inductee Lisa Warren. Clarion posted a 15-0 dual meet record, won the PSAC Team Title and placed eighth at the NCAA Division II National Championships, while Fritz and Warren were selected to play at the NCAA Division II Nationals in doubles. Fritz and Warren were No. 1 doubles champs while Fritz was runner-up at No. 2 singles.

In 1986-87 Clarion won its first PSAC team title, with Fritz capturing a PSAC Championship at No. 2 singles and a title with Lynne Fye at No. 2 doubles. The duo were national qualifiers but an injury kept them from participating. Fritz had a singles record of 19-0 and a doubles mark of 16-0 in her junior season.

A co-captain her final two seasons, Susie had a singles record of 38-2 and a doubles mark of 33-1. Clarion had an unbelievable two-year dual meet record of 28-0 which included wins over Pittsburgh, Cleveland State, St. Bonaventure, Youngstown State and Bucknell.

A co-captain in the 1985-86 season, Fritz played No. 1 singles posting a 9-3 record with a 6-3 mark in doubles. Clarion posted what was at the time its best-ever dual meet mark of 9-4. Fritz posted a career singles record at Clarion of 51-13 and a doubles mark of 45-8.

A student coach in the 1988-89 season, Susie helped guide the Eagles to a third PSAC title and another trip to the national tournament.

A native of St. Marys, Pa. and a 1984 graduate of Elk County Christian, Susie is currently Senior Manager New Business and Support with T. Rowe Price in Owings Mills, Md., and resides in Eldersburg with her domestic partner Telly Ramirez and their children, a son Aiden (AJ) and a daughter Alexis.

The 31st annual Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies will be held at the Gemmell Center Multi-Purpose Room, located at the corner of Payne Street and Wilson Avenue, beginning at 7 p.m. The event is open to the public. A social is set for 5:30 p.m. in the Second Floor Rotunda at the Gemmell Center.

Ticket orders are being handled by Shawna Bish at the Alumni Engagement Office, 100 Seifert Mooney Center at Clarion University. Tickets are $40.00 per person and are available online at www.clarion.edu/shof, or by contacting Bish at 814-393-2572. Checks should be made payable to Clarion “Sports Hall of Fame”. Ticket order forms and induction information are also available at www.clariongoldeneagles.com.

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