By:Robert Remler
Joseph Fitzgibbon, All-American
Joseph Fitzgibbon is an exception.
The 1999 Central High School alumni shoots guns for good reason and earns more than just recognition. Fitzgibbon, now a sophomore at Xavier University, in Ohio, recently earned first-team All-American honors in collegiate shooting, one of only 10 shooters in the country to earn such honors.
"College level shooting is definitely more competitive than high school," said Joseph Fitzgibbon. "When you first get here it is a bit of an adjustment. High school was competitive, but here it's just another level."
It's a level that he has been able to maintain.
Fitzgibbon recently helped lead Xavier to a fourth place finish at the 2001 NCAA National Championships hosted by Ohio State University. He also qualified for the individual portion of the championship and placed 14th in the .22 caliber event. He shattered a Xavier shooting record held by an Olympian team member earlier this year.
"I shoot because I enjoy it," he said. "As long as it is still fun I will keep doing it."
Accomplishing the tasks has not been easy. He trains four days a week two to three hours per session during a season that runs from October through March. Still, he has maintained a grade point average that is almost as remarkable as his All-American honors.
"It's tough," he said. "You learn to manage your time well. When you have a chance to do work, you cannot waste it. It's a tough balance."
Finding the time to do his schoolwork is even more of a challenge considering how much the Valley Stream resident has traveled. "We have gone all over the country," he said. Last season's itinerary included trips to Texas, Maryland and Ohio State University.
"The more experience you have the more chance you have to grow," he said. "Maturity helps you to make better decisions." Learning how to balance his schoolwork and competitive shooting has taught him about time management and handling pressure. Competing in matches has taught him how to perform at his best even under pressure.
Similar to Valley Stream Central High School, he finds the student body at Xavier University supportive of the shooting team's activities. "The people here know what we have accomplished."
Fitzgibbon intends to remain in Valley Stream throughout the summer. "The more things you have a background in the better able you are to adapt to things that will occur in the future." He recommended that Valley Stream high school students get involved with a variety of courses during their school days.
Dan Pemple was Fitzgibbon's rifle team coach at Central and is not surprised by the athlete's achievement. "Joseph was an example of someone who set his goals and achieved them," he said. Pemple still refers to Fitzgibbon as an example to the athletes on his current rifle team. "If you set your mind to something, you can do what you want," said Pemple. "I tell them that if they set their minds to it, they can reach their goals."
Alan Joseph, the men's and women's rifle coach at Xavier University, knows that Fitzgibbon is dedicated to improvement. "He listens and works very hard," said Joseph. "Since high school, he has improved very much, adjusting to college competition. He is one of the best shooters in the nation today."
Connie Fitzgibbon knows that her son has always worked hard, but is surprised by his success. "He has made great improvement since leaving Valley Stream," she said.
Timothy Fitzgibbon is not that surprised by his son's success. "He is so focused on what he does. He just has an ability to solve problems."
What does surprise the elder Fitzgibbon is his son's skill in shooting. "He didn't start shooting until later in life," he said. "He doesn't come from a family of hunters or target shooters."
