Northern State University Athletics

Kretchman Coaching Award

Bill Fritz earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 1960 with a minor in biology. The honor will be given posthumously, as Fritz passed away on May 28, 2015.
 
Fritz retired from Rowan University in New Jersey in June 2014 after coaching for 43 years. Fritz had been the men's cross country head coach there since 1971. He also guided the women's program from 1986 to 2006. Under Fritz, the men's team won 19 New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships. The men qualified for the national championship 19 times. In 1994, Fritz took over as head coach for the track and field programs. The men's team won four consecutive NJAC Championships (1994-97) and finished tied for eighth at the 1997 NCAA Championships. The men claimed 23 NJAC titles. For men's track and field, Fritz guided 43 Division III outdoor champions and 10 Division III indoor champions. Four women won national titles. Fritz has coached more than 265 All-Americans, including men and women, indoor and outdoor.