FORMER KANSAS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR (Odds)

Dr. Bob Frederick quickly established himself as an achiever in his 14 years (1987-2001) as director of athletics at the University of Kansas. Under his direction, the various athletic programs at Kansas have achieved high levels of integrity and success.

Frederick, who recieved his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from Kansas, worked tirelessly to maintain KU's high level of prominence in college athletics. His efforts helped Kansas attract some of the most impressive and respected coaches in the country to run the various programs. He continues his connection with the campus of KU, teaching in the School of Education

Earned bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from Kansas. ... Was a walk-on and graduate assistant coach for the basketball team. ... Served as KU AD for 14 years. ... Currently teaches at KU.

Under Frederick's guidance, Kansas athletics excelled. Not only did the men's basketball team win the 1988 NCAA championship and go to the Final Four two other times, but the 1989 men's track team finished fourth in the NCAA Indoor Championships. KU teams have racked up five Big 12 championships, 27 Big Eight championships, 41 Academic All-Americans, two Aloha Bowl victories and $50 million in building and renovation projects in the 1990s.

Frederick's relationship with Kansas began long before his appointment as athletic director on May 13, 1987. He first set foot on Mt. Oread in the fall of 1958, after failing an eye exam, due to an eye defect, necessary for admission to the United States Air Force Academy. At the urging of Air Force Assistant coach and KU alumnus Dean Smith, Frederick enrolled at Kansas with hopes of walking on coach Dick Harp's basketball team.

Maybe not real likely to return after leaving in 2001, but he does still teach at KU and he would bring integrity back to the athletic department.

Torn knee cartilage sidelined Frederick as a sophomore, but he overcame the injury the next season to walk on the 1959-60 team. He recieved his bachelor's degree in education with a minor in social studies in 1962. Frederick continued his relationship with the Kansas basketball team as Harp's graduate assistant coach from September 1962 to August 1964. He recieved his master's degree in education with an emphasis in school administration in 1964.

Frederick's new post won't involve pay cut (8/27/2001) Frederick testified against gambling over summer (8/27/2001) Frederick willing to help with transition (6/29/2001) KUAC to help with Frederick's pay (5/10/2001) Frederick touched by response (4/29/2001) Frederick provided good leadership for KU athletics (4/28/2001) KU should have plenty of candidates for successor (4/27/2001) Coaches saddened by move (4/27/2001) Reactions to Frederick's resignation (4/27/2001) 6News report: Frederick aftermath (4/27/2001) KU athletics director announces resignation (4/26/2001) KUAC board issues endorsement for Frederick (9/16/2000)

Frederick left Kansas in 1964 for Olympia Fields, Ill., where he embarked on a high school career as an assistant basketball coach and chemistry teacher at Rich Central High School. In 1966 he moved to Russell, Kan., where he served as head basketball coach and social studies instructor until 1970.

Moving from the high school level, Frederick served as head basketball coach and instructor of chemistry at Coffeyville Community College for the 1970-71 season. From there he returned to KU in 1971 to serve as head golf coach and assistant basketball coach under Ted Owens. After one season at Kansas, he was named assistant coach to Glenn Potter at Brigham Young, where he served for three years from 1972 to 1975. He then moved to Stanford where he was an assistant coach under Dick DiBiaso from April 1975 to August 1977.

Frederick returned to Lawrence and the high school ranks in August 1977 when he assumed duties of chemistry teacher and boys' basketball coach at Lawrence High School. Frederick rekindled his association with KU four years later in 1981 when he was named assistant athletic director and executive director of the Williams Educational Fund in the Kansas Athletics Department. He served in that capacity unil 1985, and at the same time completed his doctorate in educational administration in 1984.

Prior to his appointment as KU's 12th athletics director, Frederick served two years (1985-87) as director of athletics at Illinois State. During his tenure at Illinois State, Frederick administered a 20-sport athletic program which won the Missouri Valley Conference all-sports championship in 1986. He also coordinated the development and construction of a new basketball arena, soccer field and baseball facility.

A native of Kirkwood, Mo., Frederick, 63 (born March 4, 1940) and his wife, Margey, have four sons, Brian, Brad, Mark and Christopher.

-- Courtesy Kansas Sports Information