Eddie Fortescue Jr.
A four-time All-American, six-time All-Academic, and first-generation college graduate from Blue Bell will deliver the commencement address for his graduating bachelor’s degree Class of 2024 this Thursday at Manor College, according to an announcement from the college.
Edward “Eddie” Fortescue Jr. – a soccer, basketball and baseball star for the Blue Jays – is graduating Thursday with a degree in sports management.
According to the college, Fortescue’s speech will focus on the importance of accomplishment and the gravity 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 in the school’s announcement. “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.”
The Wissahickon High School alum, according to Manor College, received his sports accolades in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association national organization. According to its website, the USCAA is an intercollegiate program comprised of 72 junior and community colleges in the United States.
To say athletics are meant for Fortescue is an understatement: According to Manor College, Fortescue scored a last-minute goal in last October’s ESAC Men’s Soccer Championship to beat Central Penn College, and he hit a three-point buzzer beater against Bucks County Community College in the Blue Jays’ tournament quest to the USCAA National Championship.
If all of Fortescue’s sports accomplishments were not enough, he is also Presidential Ambassador at Manor College, and was a finalist for the Mother Josaphat Medal last year.
In the announcement, Fortescue, who transferred to Manor College in 2020, said Manor College gives current and prospective students many ways to get involved on campus and better oneself.
“I tell everyone to take advantage of that,” he said.
