August 20, 2025

Voice of USF Tom Frederick on the craft of play-by-play, USF football's amazing 30-year run, and his life changes (tragedy, marriage, long hair!)

1 hour

There are several elements that are synonymous with University of Sioux Falls athletics over the last 30 years — a winning football tradition (29 of 30 winning seasons), Bob Young (and Bob Young Field), Kalen DeBoer, Kurtiss Riggs, Chuck Morrell, The Stewart Center, and 17-year basketball head coaches Chris Johnson and Travis Traphagen.

But besides the late, beloved former athletics director Sid Kortemeyer, only Tom Frederick has been a part of USF through all of that. And Frederick is firmly synonymous with USF, too. His nearly-three decades on the mic for KWSN Radio's broadcasts have been marked with his universally-respected proficiency, preparation, precision, and professionalism.

The Duluth native returns for his 28th season season as the Voice of the Cougars for football when USF opens at Black Hills State in Spearfish next Thursday, Aug. 28. Since 1998, Frederick has called over 300 games, including five NAIA national championship contests (three of them wins, all with DeBoer from 2006-09). Since the NAIA dominance and DeBoer's departure, the Coo has made an instant transition into NCAA Div. II relevance and success under Jed Stugart, Jon Anderson, and

In this one hour interview with Happy Hour host John Gaskins, Frederick regales with his favorite memories of all these coaches and eras, describes his relationships with Johnson and Traphagen, and explains why his passion for the craft of play-by-play has always burned brightly.

But the conversation starts with Frederick's most recent development — his marriage earlier this month, over five years after his wife of 40 years, Mary, died from cancer.

The conversation ends with Frederick describing why he has grown his hair out (shoulder length) for the first time in his life in his 60's, plus an announcement about Frederick's broadcasting future.

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By John Gaskins