Jerry Friesen Honoured with the 2024 Gino Fracas Award
Kingston, ON – Football Canada is proud to announce Jerry Friesen as the recipient of the 2024 Gino Fracas Award. This national honour, presented annually, recognizes a USPORTS volunteer assistant coach who exemplifies an unwavering commitment and dedication to improving the player experience and supporting fellow coaches.
With a coaching career spanning over three decades, there is no other way to describe Jerry Friesen’s contributions to Canadian football other than profound. Currently serving as the Defensive Line Coach and Special Teams Coordinator for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, Jerry’s leadership and mentorship transformed a young defensive line into a formidable unit that played a pivotal role in the team’s success in reaching the 2024 Hardy Cup. Under his guidance, the defensive line limited opponents to under 100 rushing yards in the final three games of the 2024 Canada West season, while also contributing critical sacks and knockdowns.
A former award-winning linebacker in the CFL, Friesen’s football journey began as a standout player for the Huskies, where he was a three-time all-star and was inducted into the Huskie Wall of Fame in 1994. Following his university playing career, he was drafted in the second round by the Montreal Alouettes in the 1978 CFL Draft, he played 48 regular season games with the Larks before joining his hometown Saskatchewan Roughriders, where he played five seasons and earned the Tom Pate Memorial Award for outstanding community service in 1985.
After retiring as a player, Friesen transitioned seamlessly into coaching, bringing his on-field excellence to the sidelines. He started his coaching career with the Saskatchewan Huskies, helping the team secure a Vanier Cup victory in 1990. His coaching journey included stints as the Defensive Coordinator for the Calgary Dinos and Head Coach of the Alberta Golden Bears, where he was named CIS Coach of the Year in 2004. Friesen also coached professionally in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and then the UBC Thunderbirds before returning to his alma mater in 2017 to lead the Huskies’ special teams.
Friesen’s impact off the field is equally noteworthy. He has championed initiatives like the Huskies’ ‘Academic Gameplan,’ supporting first-year student-athletes in their academic and personal growth and established annual development camps for young athletes, which have reached over 200 participants each year.
“Coach Friesen’s body of work speaks for itself and it is an honour to recognize the selfless contributions he has made to the betterment of the game and the student-athletes he works with”, said Kevin McDonald, Football Canada Executive Director. “Our football community is driven by dedicated volunteers like Jerry and Football Canada is grateful not only for Coach Friesen’s drive and commitment but for all the volunteers who give of their time to help deliver the game and who play an influential role in developing the next generation of leaders for our sport.”
Named in honour of Gino Fracas, a legendary figure in Canadian football, the award celebrates the critical role of assistant coaches in fostering success within the sport. Football Canada congratulates Jerry Friesen on this well-deserved recognition and extends gratitude for his tireless dedication to advancing the sport of football in Canada.
About Football Canada
Football Canada is the governing body for amateur football in Canada, working to foster and promote the sport at all levels. Through partnerships with coaches, players, and organizations nationwide, Football Canada is committed to inspiring excellence and ensuring the continued growth of football across the country.
For further information, please contact:
Braydon Stachel
Marketing and Communications Manager
Football Canada
BStachel@FootballCanada.com
