Year Inducted: 2001
Nominated By: Henry Roman (colleague)
Sports Competed In: N/A
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete, Coach Administrator
High School:
Attended Pueblo Central H.S., graduating in 1960...Played for three seasons at quarterback for the Wildcats earning two varsity letters...Led his team to a victory in the South All-State (Star) Game in 1960..Also played three years (1958-60) of baseball - lettering twice while patrolling the outfield and wrestled during his senior season as a heavyweight (165 lbs).
Summers During High School:
Three-year member of the American Legion Post 203, playing in the outfield from 1957-59.
College:
Started his college career at Pueblo Junior College (PJC) for a year (1960) where he earned a letter playing quarterback on the football team... Played two seasons (1961-62) of baseball in the outfield at PJC...Fred transferred to Adams State College in Alamosa, CO, and played one season of football (1963) as the Grizzlies quarterback and also one season wrestling in the heavyweight division at 190 lbs.
After College:
Participated for seven years playing softball (outfielder) in the Pueblo City Recreation League (1954-70)...Played in the outfield for the Fast Pitch League for 11 seasons (1960-71) and the Pueblo City League for three more (1971-73)...Played golf as a hacker golfer before retiring in 1982.
Coaching Career:
Coached at both the junior high and high school level in Pueblo.
Football:
● Coach Junior Bantam League (1961).
● Assistant Coach, Freed Jr. High School (1968-71).
● Assistant Coach, Pueblo Centennial H.S. (1971-76).
● Assistant Coach, Pueblo Central H.S. (1976-78).
Wrestling:
● Head Coach, Freed Junior High School (1968-71).
● Assistant Coach, Pueblo Centennial H.S. (1971-76).
● Head Coach, Pueblo Central H.S. (1976-83).
● Coached two State Champions: Pat Vialpando at 119 lbs and Chris Archuleta at 126 lbs., in 1982.
● Coached two State Runner-ups: Joe Ridriquez at 98 lbs and Gary Rivas at 105 lbs., in 1977.
● South Central League Co-Champions with 10-1 record.
● South Central League Districts 2nd Place.
Achievements:
● Activities Director for seven years at Pueblo Central H.S. (1983-90).
● Served as District #60 Activities Director for six years (1993-99).
● Director of Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) - State Basketball Seeding Committee.
● Director of the Colorado State Cross Country Meet for 13 years 1984-1997.
● CHSAA Director for baseball (nine years), Volleyball (four years), Track (two years) and served as a Board Member of the Appeals Committee.
Honors:
● Quarterback of the 1960 CHSAA North/South All-Star Football Game (upset the North team that was favored by two touchdowns).
● Made the PJC 1960 All-Star Baseball Team playing in the outfield.
● South Central League Baseball - Fred was an excellent hitter with 14 hits out of 32 at bats for a .438 average near end of the season.
● Against Trinidad, Rodriquez went 5 for 6 with two triples, one double and two singles. He scored 5 runs with 4 RBI using a wooden bat.
● Old Timers - Played for Hillside Dairy pitching a no-hit, no-run game and striking out eight batters with his brother Charlie Rodriguez catching.
● Softball - State Champions for 16 - 18 year old division 1957, 1958, and 1959.
● Inducted into the CHSAA Hall of Fame in 2010.
Occupation:
Enjoyed 34 years as Coach, Educator and Administrator.
Personal:
Lives in Pueblo with his wife, Esther.
