Husky Legend: Denny Fitzpatrick
August 30, 2019 | Football
Denny Fitzpatrick grew up dreaming of playing under the bright lights of Husky Stadium. Growing up across the state in Spokane, Fitzpatrick had watched the Huskies as a kid, just imagining what it would be like to put on the Purple and Gold. Now, nearly 50 years after his time at UW, Fitzpatrick will stand on that same field and be honored for his accomplishments as a Husky.
"Growing up in Spokane, my parents would take me, my brother, and sister to Seattle, and it was a big deal going from Spokane to Seattle," said Fitzpartick. "I just never forgot coming across the floating bridge and seeing Husky Stadium out there on the horizon. And just growing up dreaming, 'oh my goodness, if I could ever play in that stadium, I'd think I made it.'"
And make it he did. Fitzpatrick came to UW after being recruited by Notre Dame, among many others. But, throughout his recruitment, his heart was always with the University of Washington.
"As soon as I got that open invitation to be recruited by the UW and getting a full scholarship, I was all in. Like a dream come true," said Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick made his debut for the Huskies in 1972, but that wasn't always the plan. Fitzpatrick intended on redshirting, but once both Sonny Sixkiller and Greg Collins were injured, Fitzpatrick was called into action. This is one of the many memories Fitzpatrick says he will never forget.
"I got called into the coach's office on a Monday, and anytime you got called into Jim Owens' office, you were in fear and trembling," Fitzpatrick said with a laugh. "Well, he just looked and treated me like a father, and he basically said, 'we'd like you to come off your redshirt year and lead the team against USC'. That was my first game, and that, I'll never, ever, ever forget."
The No. 1 ranked USC Trojans won that game, but for Fitzpatrick, it is still one of his fondest memories. Fitzpatrick played sparingly over the rest of the 1972 season as Sixkiller and Collins returned from injury, and the Huskies finished 8-3.
In 1973 Fitzpatrick split time at the quarterback position with Chris Rowland. Fitzpatrick threw for 510 yards and a touchdown, while adding 155 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns. Unfortunately, Washington had a disappointing year, finishing with just two wins.
After the frustrating 1973 season, the Huskies showed improvement in 1974. Fitzpatrick, still splitting time with Rowland, rushed for 697 yards and six touchdowns, and passed for 622 yards with three touchdowns.
Now in his senior year, Fitzpatrick and the Huskies' senior class wanted to go out on a high note. Heading into the Apple Cup, the Huskies were 4-6, and were looking to end their college careers with a big performance against the rival Cougars.
Back in Spokane for the Apple Cup, things had come full circle in the end for Fitzpatrick. In front of his hometown fans, Fitzpatrick had the chance to shine in the same place he thrived during his high school football days. And shine he did. In what was his final game, Fitzpatrick set a QB rushing record that still stands today for UW, as he rushed for 249 yards, leading the Huskies to a 24-17 victory over WSU.
"We went out with a big win," he said.
That Apple Cup game had an even greater meaning for Fitzpatrick and the team. This wasn't just their last game, but the last game that Owens would coach. Fitzpatrick wanted to send Owens out with a win and was able to do that on the back of his performance in the Huskies' rivalry game. Owens mentorship meant a lot to Fitzpatrick, and among his many great memories from his time with the University of Washington, he cites playing for Owens as among the best.
"Jim Owens back then was a legend," Fitzpatrick said. "Just the thought of being able to play for Jim Owens, back then he was revered."
Fitzpatrick created many lasting memories on and off the field. But it is the relationships that he formed which he remembers most fondly – especially his friendship with Sixkiller.
"We are friends today," Fitzpatrick said. "He would help me, teach me and mentor me, and that is something that I will always remember."
After leaving the University of Washington, Fitzpatrick was offered an opportunity in the hotel industry and he's been in the business ever since. Fitzpatrick currently is the general manager at Willows Lodge in Woodinville, but he has been all over the country doing a job that he enjoys.
"I just love what I'm doing," he said. "I've been down in California, back to Boston, back to California, to Spokane and now Seattle. Eventually we will move back to Spokane down the road."
After being away from football for so long, Fitzpatrick said he was "surprised, excited and jubilant" to be selected as a UW legend.
"It'll be great going back down on that field from when I was there 46 years ago," Fitzpatrick added. "It's an honor because of the tremendous Huskies, before and after me."
When Fitzpatrick takes the field once again, he will feel the cheers and appreciation of the crowd as his name is called. You can bet he will think back to when he was young and had dreams of playing in Husky Stadium. And he'll know that he made it.
"Growing up in Spokane, my parents would take me, my brother, and sister to Seattle, and it was a big deal going from Spokane to Seattle," said Fitzpartick. "I just never forgot coming across the floating bridge and seeing Husky Stadium out there on the horizon. And just growing up dreaming, 'oh my goodness, if I could ever play in that stadium, I'd think I made it.'"
And make it he did. Fitzpatrick came to UW after being recruited by Notre Dame, among many others. But, throughout his recruitment, his heart was always with the University of Washington.
"As soon as I got that open invitation to be recruited by the UW and getting a full scholarship, I was all in. Like a dream come true," said Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick made his debut for the Huskies in 1972, but that wasn't always the plan. Fitzpatrick intended on redshirting, but once both Sonny Sixkiller and Greg Collins were injured, Fitzpatrick was called into action. This is one of the many memories Fitzpatrick says he will never forget.
"I got called into the coach's office on a Monday, and anytime you got called into Jim Owens' office, you were in fear and trembling," Fitzpatrick said with a laugh. "Well, he just looked and treated me like a father, and he basically said, 'we'd like you to come off your redshirt year and lead the team against USC'. That was my first game, and that, I'll never, ever, ever forget."
The No. 1 ranked USC Trojans won that game, but for Fitzpatrick, it is still one of his fondest memories. Fitzpatrick played sparingly over the rest of the 1972 season as Sixkiller and Collins returned from injury, and the Huskies finished 8-3.
In 1973 Fitzpatrick split time at the quarterback position with Chris Rowland. Fitzpatrick threw for 510 yards and a touchdown, while adding 155 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns. Unfortunately, Washington had a disappointing year, finishing with just two wins.
After the frustrating 1973 season, the Huskies showed improvement in 1974. Fitzpatrick, still splitting time with Rowland, rushed for 697 yards and six touchdowns, and passed for 622 yards with three touchdowns.
Now in his senior year, Fitzpatrick and the Huskies' senior class wanted to go out on a high note. Heading into the Apple Cup, the Huskies were 4-6, and were looking to end their college careers with a big performance against the rival Cougars.
Back in Spokane for the Apple Cup, things had come full circle in the end for Fitzpatrick. In front of his hometown fans, Fitzpatrick had the chance to shine in the same place he thrived during his high school football days. And shine he did. In what was his final game, Fitzpatrick set a QB rushing record that still stands today for UW, as he rushed for 249 yards, leading the Huskies to a 24-17 victory over WSU.
"We went out with a big win," he said.
That Apple Cup game had an even greater meaning for Fitzpatrick and the team. This wasn't just their last game, but the last game that Owens would coach. Fitzpatrick wanted to send Owens out with a win and was able to do that on the back of his performance in the Huskies' rivalry game. Owens mentorship meant a lot to Fitzpatrick, and among his many great memories from his time with the University of Washington, he cites playing for Owens as among the best.
"Jim Owens back then was a legend," Fitzpatrick said. "Just the thought of being able to play for Jim Owens, back then he was revered."
Fitzpatrick created many lasting memories on and off the field. But it is the relationships that he formed which he remembers most fondly – especially his friendship with Sixkiller.
"We are friends today," Fitzpatrick said. "He would help me, teach me and mentor me, and that is something that I will always remember."
After leaving the University of Washington, Fitzpatrick was offered an opportunity in the hotel industry and he's been in the business ever since. Fitzpatrick currently is the general manager at Willows Lodge in Woodinville, but he has been all over the country doing a job that he enjoys.
"I just love what I'm doing," he said. "I've been down in California, back to Boston, back to California, to Spokane and now Seattle. Eventually we will move back to Spokane down the road."
After being away from football for so long, Fitzpatrick said he was "surprised, excited and jubilant" to be selected as a UW legend.
"It'll be great going back down on that field from when I was there 46 years ago," Fitzpatrick added. "It's an honor because of the tremendous Huskies, before and after me."
When Fitzpatrick takes the field once again, he will feel the cheers and appreciation of the crowd as his name is called. You can bet he will think back to when he was young and had dreams of playing in Husky Stadium. And he'll know that he made it.
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