University of New Haven Athletics

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A member of the Chargers’ first NCAA postseason team, Doug Fortune played first base and outfield for New Haven from 1972 to 1973. In just two seasons, he helped lead the Chargers to an impressive 44-12 overall record and a pair of NCAA Regional appearances.

In 1972, the New Haven native played in all 31 games, batted .279 and drove in 19 runs. Fortune also hammered five triples in his first season – a number which still ranks seventh all-time at UNH. With Fortune’s contributions, New Haven posted a 3-2 record in the NCAA Atlantic Coast Regional Championship and came one win away from its first NCAA World Series appearance. Fortune hit .294 in the postseason and was named to the NCAA Atlantic Coast Regional All-Tournament Team for his performance in centerfield. The Chargers finished the 1972 season with a 24-7 record, their fourth-straight 20-win season.

The 1973 season was even more successful for Fortune. He moved in from the outfield to first base and once again played in all the Chargers’ 25 games. With 39 hits in 102 at-bats, Fortune posted a career-best batting average of .382. He drove in 21 runs, scored another 18 and recorded five triples for the second-straight season. In 1973, Fortune won the Chargers’ “triple crown” by leading the team in batting average, home runs and runs batted in, while earning NCAA District One All-Star First Team honors. He was also named to the All-New England College Division Coaches’ Team, while helping the Chargers to their second NCAA Northeast Regional Championship Tournament.

After his two seasons at UNH, Fortune became the 14th University of New Haven player to sign a professional contract when he signed with the Chicago White Sox following the ’73 season. He was drafted in the 11th round as the 261st overall draft pick. He spent two years in the White Sox farm system before hanging up the spikes in 1976.

In total, Fortune boasted a .327 career batting average, 40 runs batted in and 10 triples at New Haven. He ranks fifth in career triples at UNH and holds two top spots in the UNH single season record books. He was part of 44 wins in two seasons and was a two-time postseason award honoree.