The Island Trees PTSA recently hosted its annual Pro Sports event. This year’s featured speaker was Jay Fiedler, former starting quarterback in the National Football League, and current co-director of the Sports Academy at Brookwood Camps. Fiedler grew up on Long Island, played football for Oceanside High School, and attended Dartmouth College, where he played football and earned a degree in mechanical engineering. He set the standard for Ivy League quarterbacks making their mark in the National Football League and played 10 seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets.
It was with the Miami Dolphins that Fiedler made a lasting impact in the NFL. From 2000-’04, he was the starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins and during this tenure he had three 10-plus winning seasons in four years, two 11-5 seasons in 2000 and 2001, won an AFC East title and played in two postseason games. Anytime the Miami Dolphins highlight the best moments in the history of their franchise, Fielder’s heroics in that game are notable. For his accomplishments, in 2002, Fielder was inducted into the National Jewish Museum Sports Hall of Fame. After a career in the NFL, he joined his brother Scott, an accomplished basketball player and coach in his own right, as co-directors of the Sports Academy at Brookwood Camps.
With Scott, Fielder started off the evening at Island Trees Memorial Middle School by engaging the students in various football skill drills, taught pupils how to properly throw a football and threw touchdown passes to the students. There was even a contest for the best touchdown celebration dance.
After the athletic skills portion of the evening, students returned to the small gymnasium of ITMMS and all enjoyed dinner sponsored by the PTSA. While eating dinner, Fielder spoke with the audience about his career in the National Football League, the importance of hard work, dedication, commitment, goal setting and turning failure into success. He stressed that, even though he was so successful in the NFL, he is most proud of his education and academic achievements. After speaking to the audience, answering questions and then showcasing the Sports Academy at Brookwood Camps, Fielder signed personalized autographs, took pictures and personally spoke with students and parents. Many in attendance expressed their appreciation for such a high-level professional athlete taking the time to talk about important character traits such as leadership, respect, desire, integrity and compassion.
—Submitted by Island Trees Memorial Middle School
