Ex-Willow Canyon player retires from football
Jordan Frieberg felt he finally had made it in college football.
The 6-foot-2, 260-pounder started all 11 games at center for the first time last season as a junior at Minnesota Crookston, after making two position changes during his career. He was voted onto the leadership council by his teammates.
Then, on Dec. 10, at noon, the former Surprise Willow Canyon defensive end received a text message that blindsided his life.
“An emergency team meeting in two hours,” Frieberg was alerted.
Frieberg had a feeling what was coming. Rumors had leaked about St. Cloud State closing its football program. Would Minnesota Crookston follow the same fate?
StarTribune.com reported on Dec. 11 that both Minnesota colleges were dropping their NCAA Division II football programs, with Crookston citing the school’s inability to fund football facilities, scholarships, staffing and student-athlete development, the report stated.
Minnesota Crookston went 0-11 last season, but Frieberg cherished every second, the rush of suiting out with his teammates for Saturday games, the practices, the meetings, the film work, the routine.
Then, eight days later, Frieberg posted on his Twitter account his farewell to football letter.
He thanked everybody, closing with a quote that is framed on his bedside table:
“Be who you needed when you were younger.” For 14 of his Frieberg’s 20 years of life, it revolved around football.
Home during the holiday break, Frieberg still hits a Surprise gym as if he is training for his senior football season.
“Quitting football to this point was the hardest decision I ever made,” he said. “I played tackle football since I was 6. I’m 20 now. The number of seasons I’ve gone through, three years at Minnesota Crookston, starting out as a defensive end, moving to defensive tackle, then playing center my third year. I was voted onto the leadership council by my teammates. It was everything I poured into every summer, winter and fall. And fall ended in one day.”
Like most of his teammates did, Frieberg could have transferred to another college and not lose eligibility.
But he decided to stay at school that didn’t fulfill his passion. He’ll be 2,000 miles away from home during his senior year in the fall, finishing up a degree in criminal justice, following in his father Ron’s footsteps in law enforcement as either a police officer or FBI agent.
“He’s always been an independent child,” said Ron Frieberg, who has coached his son in football for half of his life. “He never needed that coddling. My wife and I really pushed him to go away, find something different, enjoy the college experience, find yourself. “That’s what he did.”
But it’s hard to suddenly divorce himself from football.
His parents’ advice was to make sure he made the decision best for him, that 10 years down the road he wouldn’t look back with regret that he didn’t play at least one more year.
“He was fully committed to the program and the school,” Ron said. “He gave everything to that school. The way it ended was shocking to everybody. I have to give kudos to Minnesota Crookston for honoring their scholarships. It was the best the school could do for the kids. As long as at the end of the day you’re walking away with a degree.”
Jordan said that he is among no more than 10 players who decided to just stay at Crookston and go to classes, knowing there will be no more football. He took 19 units last semester, making all As.
“My head coach (Mark Dufner) told me if I needed a character reference, he would reach out to other schools,” Frieberg said. “He said, ‘I’ll do anything to help you.’ “
Minnesota Crookston was among the 22 college football offers Frieberg picked up at Willow Canyon. They were Division II, III or NAIA offers, including Arizona Christian.
But Minnesota Crookston, he said, “had the most family feel to it.”
“Moving that far away from home, not knowing anyone, is hard enough,” Frieberg said. “Some of the players I met, how tight-knit it seemed, it was an easy decision.”
“Moving 2,000 miles away from home was a brave decision. But the braver decision was staying and finishing my degree in criminal justice. I’ll open my job search as police officer or FBI agent.
“I have had the experience of living on my own for three years. I’m dealing with a level of loss not many can relate to.”
Parting is hard, leaving a void. But Frieberg feels thankful he had the game to play for as long as he did.
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizona republic.com or 602-316-8827.