Eddie Fortescue, a 2019 graduate of Wissahickon High School and a soon-to-graduate senior at Manor College in Jenkintown, is one of the successful athletes in Blue Jays’ history.
The three-sport athlete’s accolades include a four-time USCAA All-American selection, a six-time USCAA All-Academic selection, and a member of the USCAA National Championship Tournament team in 2023-2024.
Fortescue will graduate on Thursday, May 16 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management. He’ll also serve as the Commencement Speaker representing undergraduate students.
According to the college, he’ll most miss the little moments created with teammates.
“I’m going to miss the community and the unity of everyone – my teammates, my coaches, my friends, and the faculty,” Fortescue said. “Even through the ups and downs, everyone is always there for you.”
Fortescue transferred to Manor College for the Fall 2020 semester. He wasn’t allowed to play multiple sports at his prior institution and focused on baseball. The longer he played one sport, the more he yearned to be on the soccer field and the basketball court.
He began looking up colleges local to his Blue Bell home and found Manor.
“I just saw the way (Athletic Director John Dempster) cared for his athletes,” Fortescue said. “He wants them to be successful both on the field and in the future.”
Dempster’s on-field lessons have real-life applications, Fortescue said.
“He knows how to joke around and have a good time, but he also knows when to focus up and be serious,” Fortescue said. “That was our success. We knew when we needed to focus and when we knew we could lighten up. That’s life. You have to have fun in life, but also know when you need to focus.”
After graduation, Fortescue hopes to enroll in a Master’s Degree program that would allow him to play one more year while continuing his pursuit of a job in Athletics, preferably in the coaching or business aspects. First, he’ll be the Student Speaker representing the Bachelor’s Degree students at Manor College’s graduation.
In his speech, Fortescue will emphasize the gravity and accomplishment of achieving a college degree.
“It’s an accomplishment because having that degree helps you do what you want to do in life,” Fortescue said. “Life isn’t easy. Coming here and learning from other people and their stories gave me life lessons and prepared me for other hardships in life. I want people to know how much of an achievement getting a degree truly is.”
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Photos: Manor College