Born and raised his first decade of life in New York City before transplanting to rural Erin, Tennessee, he has taken the good from both places to reach this point in life. Pete Froedden has earned his spot in Bison Basketball lore. He's one of only a handful to both play and coach for the Bisons, and he was kind enough this week to sit down for a few minutes with LipscombSports.com.
What years did you compete for Lipscomb?
I played Bison Basketball from 1987-91 for Coach Don Meyer.
What teammate was most memorable?
All teammates were memorable and the attention to detail and commitment to excellence that our program had at the time made it memorable.
What degrees have you earned?
I earned my B.S. from Lipscomb in 1991. I added a Master's of Science degree from Austin Peay State University, and I gained my Teaching Certification from MTSU.
Why did you attend Lipscomb?
Coach Meyer recruited me and offered me a scholarship.
What is your favorite athletic memory at Lipscomb?
My most favorite memory is getting to the Final Four of the NAIA National tournament and playing in Kemper Arena my junior year. I also have great memories from beating Belmont in the original Battle of the Boulevard at Vanderbilt's Memorial Arena and playing in front of 14,000+ basketball fans.
Who influenced your athletic career at Lipscomb?
There's no question on this one: Coach Don Meyer was the strongest influence on my career and life at Lipscomb.
What do you remember about Lipscomb campus life during your time here?
As student-athletes under Don Meyer, we were pretty brainwashed in our focus on school and basketball, but in addition to class and practice/games, I clearly recall some of the ladies in the dining center being incredibly caring to us.
What is the most valuable lesson you learned in your time at Lipscomb?
My years at Lipscomb created and cultivated my passion for helping young people through coaching and through Christ.
Who were your favorite professors & why?
Four men stand out: Ralph Nance took me in and helped grow me both mentally and spiritually;
Marlon Connelly lived his love for students and his love for sports; Paul Prill convinced me there is not a better man anywhere. He absolutely loves his students. Dr. Bob Hooper was an instructor who was extremely smart and caring. He always showed his concern for me and my family.
Where did you grow up?
This is a unique combination, but it's true. I was born in Bronx and Queens New York, where I lived until I was 10 years old. Then I moved to Clarksville/Erin, Tennessee, where I lived until coming to Nashville for college.
What do you do now?
I teach and coach at Hillwood High School in Nashville.
Tell us about your family:
I have a wife, Audrey, and we have three children: Keenan (27), Kiana (25), and Christian (23).
FAST FINISH:
- Favorite food: Crab legs
- Favorite TV show or movie: The Blacklist
- Favorite Bible scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:13 – "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
- Favorite sports team: New York Yankees
- Pet peeve: Bigots and racist people
- Person I most admire: My sister, Colonial Joann Palmer (U.S. Air Force)
- Person I'd most like to meet: Willie Randolph, former Yankees 2nd baseman
- Rather ride or drive? Drive
- Pick one – salad or dessert: Salad
- Dream vacation spot: Pebble Beach
- Early morning or late night person? Both
You can contact Pete by email at pfroedden@gmail.com or connect with him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pfroedden, Twitter: https://twitter.com/pfroedden1, or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/froedden/
