Senior Feature -- Ben Fredrickson
10/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 7, 2002
By Kyle Parrish
MU Athletic Media Relations
Unlike many from his part of the country, Ben Fredrickson's "California Dreams" are taking place right here in Columbia, Mo.
The senior tight end from Westminster, Calif., grew up dreaming of playing major college football, but had to wait longer than most to get to Division I. He spent his first two years of school at Orange Coast Junior College before transferring to MU last season to play for the Tigers.
Now that he is here, Fredrickson is making the most of his time.
"I thought I would never be in this position coming from Junior College and I'm just so grateful to be here," says the 2000 JUCO All-American.
The Tigers are equally grateful to have Fredrickson, who hauled in eight receptions for 69 yards and two touchdowns while backing up Dwayne Blakely in 2001. His blocking proved even more valuable, as Fredrickson helped make Mizzou the Big 12's 2001 leader in fewest sacks allowed.
This season, Fredrickson is the Tiger's starting tight end. He believes the team can reach new heights thanks to the hard work Gary Pinkel's coaching staff has instilled in the players.
"The main reason I came here was the coaching. In JUCO, it wasn't structured at all. Discipline-wise and structurally, the change from JUCO to Mizzou was night and day. I really wanted the discipline that the MU coaches bring. And I appreciate how straightforward they are; They tell you how it is whether you like it or not."
Since he arrived in Columbia, coaching isn't the only thing Fredrickson has come to appreciate.
"This is the friendliest place I've ever been," says Fredrickson. "It's made it really easy to get along and find friends here."
Friendliness, in Fredrickson's case, doesn't just come from the citizens of Columbia. The 6-foot-4, 255-pounder is rarely found without his trademark ear-to-ear smile. His happiness with the situation here at Mizzou is apparent on his face and in the fun he has off the field.
"I guess I'm kind of seen as a joker. I mean, I'm pretty goofy - I'm from California - but I think the guys on the team still respect me and sometimes the stuff I do will bring the team together."
An ongoing source of team unity from Fredrickson has been his hair. During spring ball, he grew his hair out into an Afro.
"It was so cold here, and my hair is naturally pretty curly, so I thought it would be good look for me. The guys thought it was pretty funny too."
As outrageous as the curly brown Afro may have been, Fredrickson's friends and teammates could not have been prepared for what came next in his series of follicle follies: the mullet.
"Well, we're here in the heartland of America with all these sweet mullet hairstyles, so I decided to get one too."
Fredrickson clipped the hair off the sides and top of his head, leaving a patch of curly brown locks flowing from the back of his head. He sported the look for two days.
"After that, I shaved it all off. I was getting a lot of weird looks. But it was so funny," laughs Fredrickson.
Since getting a more socially acceptable image, Fredrickson has continued to take advantage of his time here. He has become an avid golfer, often hitting the links with some teammates at Lake of the Woods, L.A. Nickel Golf Course, and on the Gustin Golf Course at MU. He claims to be a 12 handicapper.
Fredrickson also makes the most of his Missouri experience by taking advantage of one of the University's best schools. The General Agriculture major hopes to apply his education in the employment of his father back in Southern California.
His dad, Jeff, owns a sign-making business. They have manufactured signs and scoreboards for everything from Hardee's restaurants to Las Vegas Casinos to San Diego State University Athletics.
"We do a lot of applied economics in my classes, so I'm hoping I can use that to help my dad's business," says Fredrickson.
As much as he is enjoying Columbia, a life of golf and agriculture is quite a change from his life back home in California. A surfer in high school and junior college, Fredrickson would sometimes go to the beach before classes in the morning to catch some waves.
"I am definitely a beach guy," he says. "I absolutely love the water and always have. One of the things I miss most about home is the ocean. I lived only about 10 minutes away in high school, now I have to drive for days."
For now, however, Fredrickson will continue to make the most of life in Missouri. He loves the people, the culture, and most of all, Missouri football.
"You know, it's funny," Fredrickson muses. "Before I came here, I never even knew where Columbia was on the map. But now, I absolutely love it here. I am so glad I made this decision to leave home. And I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to make it."
