Alexander Fitzpatrick, a senior at Chestnut Ridge High School in New Paris, Pennsylvania, has reeled in a major collegiate commitment. The accomplished angler has officially signed with the powerhouse bass fishing program at Adrian College in Michigan.

Fitzpatrick's impressive high school tournament record, which includes a first-place finish at the 2025 Bass Nation state qualifier, made him a sought-after recruit. He ultimately chose Adrian College for its elite national standing and robust program support. "I feel like they’re the best-funded team," Fitzpatrick noted, highlighting a key factor in his decision.

Adrian College is a dominant force in collegiate bass fishing. Unlike many schools where fishing is a club sport, Adrian competes at the varsity level in circuits like Major League Fishing and the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Series. The Bulldogs are the reigning 2024 national champions and have consistently finished in the national top 10 for the past seven years.

For Fitzpatrick, the opportunity to travel and compete across the southeastern United States was a major draw. "They travel the country, being able to fish in different places like that," he said. "It’s like a dream."

His passion for the sport was ignited around age 12 when he began fishing tournaments with his father. "We ended up winning a couple. It kind of clicked from there," Fitzpatrick recalled. He thrives on the unique one-on-one competition of the sport, utilizing modern technology like LiveScope to gain an edge on the water.

Academically strong with a 3.8 GPA, Fitzpatrick will major in cybersecurity at Adrian. He'll also be rooming with a familiar face—future teammate Parker Shutty, a fellow Pennsylvania angler he competes with in the Patton Bass Club.

With his commitment sealed, Alexander Fitzpatrick is poised to make a splash at the next level, joining a program dedicated to cultivating championship anglers.