Baseball head coach Todd Fitz-Gerald received a surprise visit from the Orange Bowl committee on Tues., Sept. 16, where he was honored for his work through the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers program.

The Extra Yard for Teachers program is a national back-to-school celebration recognizing great teachers and letting them know that they are respected and valued.

The Orange Bowl committee surprised Fitz-Gerald with an $1,000 award for his leadership, impact and excellence on the baseball field and in the Parkland community.

“It was awesome,” Fitz-Gerald said. “I thought it was pretty cool and it really means a lot. I’ve been at MSD for 15 years, we’ve had ups and downs, but it’s a great place to be. I want to have an impact on the kids’ lives and influence them. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Coach Fitz-Gerald chose to remain a teacher at school following the 2018 tragedy. Using the baseball program, he has brought people together and assisted in helping Parkland heal over his 14-year teaching career. Fitz-Gerald is very involved in the school community, serving as a science teacher on top of other roles, through which he strives to make kids feel safe and important.

“I’ve enjoyed my time here [at MSD],” Fitz-Gerald said. “I coach baseball, I teach, I sometimes serve as administrator or security. But it gives me an opportunity to meet new kids and kids that you normally wouldn’t meet in class, and gives a chance for me to build relationships. That’s why I teach and coach.”

He has also used his ties to baseball to positively affect the Parkland community, with their success giving the city a team to rally around, thus bringing people together.

“The things he does are astonishing,” athletic director Albert Guzzo said. “When it comes to community involvement, he, his coaches and especially his players are doing everything they can to help the Parkland community.”

In his time at school, Fitz-Gerald has turned the baseball program into a national powerhouse. He has led the varsity baseball team to six state-wide championships, achieving a Florida record of five consecutive state titles from 2021-2025. On top of this success, Fitz-Gerald has coached the team to four national titles during his tenure as head coach.

Over the past five seasons of state championships, Fitz-Gerald has led the varsity team to an astonishing 144-11 record. In the 2022-2023, the team went a perfect 29-0, winning the state championship in a 10-0 shutout win.

The five-time Florida Coach of the Year and his team will attempt to defend their state title and extend their historic championship run to six straight championships this spring. They will open their season against Killian High School on Feb. 4, 2026.