He's Visualizing Success -- From Pacific Institute To Pac-10: Kennedy Grad Fitterer Prepares For UCLA

He senses the Husky linebacker breathing down his neck, inches away from a sack. But the UCLA quarterback sidesteps, plants and completes his pass.

Touchdown Bruins.

It's a vision Scott Fitterer has daily. One he plans to make reality within the next couple years. Tom Merrill, his football coach at Kennedy High School in Burien, sees it, too.

"He's about the greatest kid I've ever coached in 32 years," Merrill said.

Fitterer's physical talents are only part of the picture.

"In attitude, he's a 10 in all areas," Merrill said.

Fitterer's belief in goal-setting and the pursuit of excellence helped shape him into the state's top quarterback recruit. Homer Smith, UCLA's offensive coordinator who has tutored numerous quality quarterbacks over the years, likes what he's seen of Fitterer.

"All of us (at UCLA) are excited to have him here," said the well-traveled Smith, in his third stint at UCLA. "He's a tremendous athlete and he hungers to play and excel. All of his best play should be ahead of him. . . . Scott brings a very strong arm along with a strong desire to play."

Fitterer, who already is at UCLA taking a summer class and working out with the football team, was a four-year high school starter in football, basketball and baseball. Two and a half of those years were at Kennedy and one and a half at Kentwood.

After becoming a rare freshman starter at safety at Kennedy, Fitterer moved into the Kentwood service area the summer before his sophomore year. He earned the starting quarterback spot and set school records in passing yardage (1,285) and passing touchdowns (13) while driving the Conquerors to the Class AAA state championship game.

Kentwood lost in the state quarterfinals his junior year and, following a shoulder injury that sidelined him midway through the basketball season, Fitterer opted to transfer back to Kennedy, where he felt closer friendship ties. He started at shortstop for Kennedy's baseball team that season and hit a team-leading .459.

Fitterer, 6 feet 1 and 195 pounds, was a preseason all-state pick at quarterback, but he broke the thumb on his right hand and didn't put up the kind of numbers he and everybody else expected. He completed 48 of 113 passes for 773 yards and three touchdowns with five interceptions, although he added five rushing TDs.

"He didn't get to show what he can do," Merrill said. "But UCLA and other colleges recognized his talent. They knew he's a great player."

Originally, Fitterer signed a letter of intent with California, but switched to UCLA after Cal Coach Bruce Snyder left for Arizona State.

Fitterer never used his thumb injury as an excuse, but admitted it was frustrating not to be able to lead Kennedy to the playoffs. The Lancers finished third in the Seamount League at 7-2. As a starting quarterback, he compiled a 29-6 career record and passed for nearly 3,000 yards. Defensively, he collected more than 200 tackles, and had a punting average of 35.3 yards.

Fitterer followed with an outstanding basketball season, leading the Seamount League in rebounding (12.6 per game) and finishing second in scoring (20.8). He finished with a career 1,001 points.

His senior season in baseball, Fitterer hit .444 with 20 runs batted in and his fastball drew interest from major-league scouts.

If not for his strong desire to play football at UCLA, Fitterer might have been a top-10 selection in the amateur baseball draft.

But Fitterer plans to play baseball at UCLA, too, after his freshman year.

"Going to UCLA and playing is kind of a dream," he said. "But I see myself playing baseball four years from now. Playing college football is important to me, but there are too many opportunities to get hurt in football."

Sports have been a way of life for Fitterer, who spends hours every day fine-tuning his physical skills. His mental skills have been fine-tuned through the motivational philosophies of Lou Tice, co-founder of The Pacific Institute, a Seattle-based firm recognized world-wide as a leader in increasing personal and organizational effectiveness and productivity. Tice is a former head football coach at Kennedy. Fitterer's father, Jack, now executive vice president in charge of international operations for the company, once was Kennedy's boys basketball coach.

"I grew up in a positive environment, where goal-setting and all their teachings really changed my life and put direction in my life," said Scott, the youngest of three children. "I feel very fortunate.

"A lot of people grow up in negative environments. Their parents say, `You'll never do this or that.' They put negative thoughts in their head. I've got great parents who are real positive."

Fitterer works out regularly with Steve Moore, former offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks now the CEO of The Pacific Institute. Another of his tutors is ex-quarterback Dan Akers, son of former University of Texas Coach Fred Akers. Dan Akers also is involved with The Pacific Institute.

Goal-setting and written affirmations are keys to improvement in The Pacific Institute's teachings. Fitterer said he used the writing technique in basketball, setting scoring and rebound goals for each quarter.

Fitterer's idea of having a good time always involves sports. He said he enjoys going to parties because he likes to socialize. But he doesn't drink and often finds himself out shooting baskets. At a recent graduation party, he spent a chunk of time in the weight room.

Two quarterbacks return for UCLA, with sophomore Wayne Cook expected to start and redshirt freshman Rob Walker as the backup. Fitterer is one of three candidates who will compete for the second backup spot. He hopes he won't have to redshirt.

But Merrill said he hopes to see Fitterer redshirt.

"I hope he doesn't play this year," he said. "He won't be ready to get thrown out in front of 80,000 people at the Rose Bowl."

There's too much of the mental game yet to learn at that level, Merrill said - reading coverages, getting your timing down.

"Some people never get it," Merrill said. "But Scott will."