Photo by Dugan Thomas
Caledonia football coach, Carl Fruechte, emphasizes that his induction into the Minnesota Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame (MFCA) is a testament to the unwavering support of the vibrant community he has the privilege to lead.
Expressing his gratitude, Fruechte remarked, “I could not have done it without the communities of Brownsville, Caledonia, Eitzen and Freeburg.”
Throughout our conversation, Fruechte reiterated that every stakeholder – from coaches and athletics to students, teachers, administrators, residents, and business owners – has stood firmly behind him and the team throughout his career. Consequently, he firmly believes that the accolade belongs to the entire community.
Fruechte expressed surprise at his nomination by Scott Sorenson, the Activities Director (AD). “I was taken aback. It hadn’t crossed my mind. Yet, I see this as a community recognition. It’s a credit to our players, all the great coaches that I’ve been with at our school, and our whole community, including the supportive parents.”
Furthermore, Fruechte expressed astonishment at receiving the award, given that inductees are chosen by their peers, as per mnfootballcoaches.com, with the selection committee comprising former presidents and association members.
Fruechte is set to be inducted into the association’s Hall of Fame at a ceremony on April 6 at the Doubletree Hotel Minneapolis Park Place.
To be considered for the award, high school head and assistant coaches must have served for 15 years as a head coach, be at least 50 years old and retired, or have accrued 30 years of coaching experience, including 15 as head coach, while still actively coaching.
Having coached at Caledonia since 1988, and head coach since 1997, Fruechte is ranked number ninth in the state. With 184 wins and 39 losses, his winning percentage is 0.825% according to the association’s website.
Fruechte acknowledges Mark Froehling, under whom he served as an assistant coach for 10 years, describing him as “a great man” and “a great role model.” He added that he could have coached under him for the rest of his life.
Fruechte also credited his father, who emphasized that coaching transcends teaching football skills; it encompasses imparting life skills. He added that his father was a man who had “great common sense.”
In a statement shared with the community on January 26 via Facebook, Coach Fruechte expressed his gratitude and humility for his induction into the Minnesota Football Coaches Hall of Fame, attributing the achievement to the collective effort of players, sponsors, supporters, and the entire community.
Fruechte wants everyone to recognize the vital role sports play in preparing young individuals for life. He believes sports, along with other extracurricular activities impart crucial life lessons. He emphasized that academics are very important. He emphasized that academics are very important and that the coaches believe in it all like FFA, speech, etc. He said, “We believe you’ve got to participate it helps you to become, in my case as a boys coach, boys to become great fathers and great husbands.”
Growing up in Caledonia, Fruechte recognized his passion for coaching during his junior year in high school, but he did not tell anybody. He explained that he worked locally before being hired at Caledonia Public Schools as an Educational Assistant (EA), a role he embraced for 30 years.
Fruechte’s coaching portfolio includes stints as an assistant boys basketball coach, assistant girls basketball coach, head boys track coach, and assistant track coach, before transitioning to a full-time coaching role, stepping away from his EA position in 2020.
In conclusion, Fruechte’s journey from local enthusiast to esteemed coach underscores the invaluable role community support plays in shaping and celebrating sporting excellence.
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