Huckleberries: Friesz still hitting the mark in life

Columnist D.F. Oliveria is back from vacation and will resume writing his column on Tuesday. Today’s Huckleberries column is written by Kelly Richards, executive director of Concerned Businesses of North Idaho and mother of one of John Friesz’s Little League players.

As students prepare to return to college campuses this week, one local man will be returning to his college glory days. Former University of Idaho quarterback John Friesz will receive the ultimate honor in college athletics as he is inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. As fellow Vandals and avid sports fans, my husband and I both were on campus when John was breaking records and winning awards on the football field. Even though I knew John by name only, he made quite an impression on every Vandal fan.

John now lives a quiet, unassuming life in Hayden with his wife, Julie, and three sons, Hunter, Jake and Carter. He shares carpool duties and helps supervise school field trips. In acknowledgment of all those who contributed to his gridiron success, John spends countless hours giving back by coaching parks and rec basketball and Little League baseball and also helping with junior tackle football. He is teaching by example how a premier athlete conducts himself on and off the field. Congratulations on your honor of a lifetime, John. As I watch your young protégés listen keenly to you on the field and treasure their “Coach John” trading cards at home, I see you are making quite an impression on them, too.