Former athletics director remembered by many

By Dylan Sands

Monday, June 15, 2009

Those remembering Robert Frederick, known as Freddy, Doctor Bob, Coach Bob and other endearing nicknames, do so with reverence. The former athletics director died Friday night after suffering injuries from a bicycle accident in Lawrence Thursday. He was 69.

From the time he first came to the University in 1958 until his death, Frederick had a deep connection with the University. He graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and then obtained both a Master of Education in 1964 and his Doctor of Education in 1984 at the University. He returned in 1981 and served as the executive director of the Williams Educational Fund until 1985. In 1987 he became the athletics director, a position he held until 2001. After resigning as athletics director Frederick began teaching at the University as an assistant professor and lecturer in sports management.

For many, Frederick was known as the man who brought Roy Williams to the University. But Pat Warren, who served as assistant athletics director under him, said Frederick had many other accomplishments.

“There are things that are difficult to capture from just looking at his resume,” Warren said. “His decision to hire Roy, those are things that are more visible. He did what he believed was right, even if it wasn’t the most popular thing to do.”

Warren said that Frederick was instrumental in providing opportunities for female athletes.

“He added women’s soccer and women’s rowing. Hundreds of women since those sports were added have competed,” Warren said. “It’s the result of his decision to do what he thought was right. He provided opportunities for women.”

Warren also said that during their time together in the athletics department, Frederick pushed through several improvements to campus facilities. According to the athletics Web site, Frederick oversaw more than $50 million in upgrades to the campus with a $35 million renovation of Memorial Stadium and Allen Fieldhouse.

Jerry Nossaman, Lawrence resident and long-time friend of Frederick, said Frederick was firmly dedicated to doing what he thought was right for the University.

Nossaman’s wife, Sandee, said she was also close to Frederick.

“One of the things I certainly respect the most about him is his work with women being a part of athletics,” Sandee said. “He worked very hard for that. He was an individual who enjoyed and could talk with women as well as he did men. He really believed in equality. I, as a woman, respected him for that.”

Sandee said Frederick had a habit of writing personal notes to his friends about shared memories. Sandee said these notes were always from the heart.

Peter Luckey, senior pastor at Plymouth Congregational Church in Lawrence, said Frederick was a treasured member of his congregation. Like Sandeee, he also remembered receiving personal gifts from Frederick.

“One thing that’s been moving for me is a year ago he gave me a poem called ‘A Life that Matters.’ It now hangs in my office. It’s all about what matters at the end of the day, our character and what we stand for, not how much money we make,” Luckey said. “He had an amazing level of energy and passion. I’m sure many people have letters from Bob that they saved like I have. It’s a huge loss to this community.”

Keyarash Jahanian, 2007 graduate, took Frederick’s sports law and sports marketing classes and said Frederick did everything with passion.

“The coolest thing about taking a class with him is that he had all these fantastic stories,” Jahanian said. “It was easier to follow what he was teaching because he had experience in applying the principles we were learning.”

Jahanian said Frederick’s personality made him a great teacher.

“He really wanted to make sure everyone succeeded. He pulled me aside after my last class period with him and asked me about my goals,” Jahanian said. “He wanted to make sure I had the right connections so I could move forward. That really set him apart in how he was ingrained in student’s life.”

Sarah Thompson, 2008 graduate, said Frederick was willing to extend his help even after she graduated.

“As I was in the process of looking for jobs he was constantly e-mailing me contacts and checking on my progress,” Thompson said. “This man was the athletics director for 14 years. He was more than well enough off to leave KU after his time was up. However, he came back to do what he loved best — educate young adults. I am so very fortunate to have known what I believe was an earth angel.”

Bernie Kish taught sports facilities and management class with Frederick and said he felt blessed to have worked with him.

“He was the most caring individual I’ve ever been associated with,” Kish said. “He cared deeply for the little people that did things that are not usually gloried. The people who maintained the buildings, he cared about them as much as he did about famous coaches or chancellors.”

Nossaman said he was unaware of Frederick’s involvement in many organizations until after his death. An obituary provided by Frederick’s family lists organizations he was involved with including Kansas Special Olympics Advisory Board, Big Brothers, Big Sisters Advisory Board, the Sunflower State Games, Board of Directors and the State of Kansas spokesperson for Bicycle Helmet Safety, Kansas Safe Kids Coalition, and Character Counts Sports.

“He did a lot of things that a lot of people didn’t know,” Nossaman said. “He never tooted his own horn. He didn’t talk about the things he did, he would just do them.”

A memorial service for Frederick will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, at the Lied Center on West Campus.

— — Edited by David Ugarte

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