SSHoF logoJerry Friesen

Athlete (2008)

Football

Jerry FriesenJerry Friesen came out of Bedford Road Collegiate as an offensive lineman. But it was while he was with the Saskatoon Hilltops in 1973 and 1974, he was converted to linebacker. It was a position he'd play for three years with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and then three years with Montreal Alouettes and six years with Saskatchewan Roughriders.

While with the Huskies, he was voted All-Canadian in both 1976 and 1977. He joined the Alouettes in 1978 and played in Grey Cup games during his first two seasons with them. With the Roughriders, he was honoured with the CFL's Tom Pate award in 1986.

He became defensive co-coordinator with the Huskies in 1988, sharing in a Vanier Cup win in 1990. After a year as a coach with the Roughriders in 1996, he became assistant coach with University of Calgary in 1997 and head coach of University of Alberta in 2001.

He was CIS coach of the year in 2004.

" You can always improve mentally even if after a period of time there isn’t that much room for growth physically. You’re talking about from the eyes up. " -- Jerry Friesen was a linebacker in the CFL for eight years