Taking it From CDS Soccer Fields to a Career in Sports: Michael Fitzharris ’19 Turns Passion into Career
For Michael Fitzharris, a love of soccer and a talent for business came together in a way that shaped his future. What began on the soccer fields at Carrollwood Day School became the gateway to a career with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, proving how connections and opportunities can turn passion into profession.
For Michael Fitzharris, a passion for soccer and an interest in business eventually came together in a way that shaped his career. The Carrollwood Day School Class of 2019 graduate is now working as a business analyst for the Tampa Bay Rowdies while pursuing his MBA at the University of Florida, a path that began with a connection formed during his time at CDS.
Michael’s journey to CDS began during a major life transition.
“My experience at CDS was very memorable. Moving continents for the second time at age 16 was challenging, but the transition became seamless once I arrived at CDS. Many of the faculty and students were incredibly welcoming, which helped me adjust quickly. CDS prides itself on having a diverse student body from all over the world, and that was something I truly experienced during my time there.”
As he settled in, Michael quickly became part of the school community both academically and athletically. One of the most influential aspects of his time at CDS was completing the International Baccalaureate program. “I believe it prepared me well not only for college classes but also for life beyond high school and college. The program’s emphasis on community service and volunteer hours helped me grow as a person and become more well-rounded.”
Soccer also played a major role in Michael’s experience. Some of his favorite memories came from the field, where he helped lead the Patriots to two district championships. “My favorite memory from CDS was winning two district championships in soccer, one with Coach Harte and Neill Collins (former Rowdies head coach), and the other with Coach Kelvin. Soccer has always been a big part of my life, so those moments will always stand out. People don’t always realize the connections you can make through sports or being part of a group at CDS. In fact, Neill is the reason I now work for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and that opportunity likely wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t played soccer at CDS.”
That connection would later become the turning point in Michael’s professional journey. After graduating from CDS, he enrolled at the University of Florida, initially as a business major. Over time, he realized his true passion lay at the intersection of business and sports, prompting him to switch his major to sports management. At the end of his sophomore year, Neill Collins connected him with an internship opportunity at the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The experience gave Michael an inside look at how a professional sports organization operates. He worked across several departments, gaining exposure to sales, strategy, and operations, and most importantly, he got to see how every role contributes to the club’s overall success.
During his senior year at the University of Florida, Michael completed his final required internship with the Rowdies, this time under the business strategy team. His dedication and impact were recognized immediately, and by the end of the internship, he was offered a full-time position as Coordinator of Strategy and Analytics. In that role, he split his time between the office and match days, gaining hands-on experience across both operational and strategic functions. Recently, he was promoted to business analyst, where his daily responsibilities include reporting, analyzing data, expanding business operations, and supporting the team’s social media growth. Today, he continues to build his expertise while pursuing an MBA at the University of Florida, further strengthening his skills in the sports industry.
Beyond academics and athletics, Michael also cherishes the traditions that made his time at CDS special.
“One of my favorite CDS traditions was the Senior Buddies program. I was paired with Luke Darlison, and our buddy was Stefano. Spending time with the younger students made me reflect on my own experience at the school and how it shaped me, while also giving me the chance to help them as they began their journey at CDS.”
Looking back, Michael often reflects on how the relationships and opportunities at CDS helped shape the direction of his career. What began as a love for soccer eventually evolved into a profession that blends his two biggest interests: sports and business. And it all traces back to the connections he made as a student at Carrollwood Day School.
We love sharing our alumni achievements with the CDS community. If you are a CDS Alumni and would like to share your accomplishments, please contact our Alumni Engagement Coordinator, Carli (Gauthier) Mianne '16 at cmianne@cdspatriots.org and let us know what you have been up to since leaving CDS. We look forward to hearing from you!