VERMONT SPORTS HALL OF FAME

Photo Courtesy: St. Johnsbury Academy

St. Johnsbury

Track and Field- coach

Inducted 2018

During his legendary 30-year coaching career at St. Johnsbury Academy, Frey directed his teams to a record 21 state championships in track and field as well as cross country. In addition, numerous student-athletes won individual track and field events with many setting state records.

Frey’s most notable success came with the SJA boys track and field teams. The Hilltoppers won 16 state championships, including six in a row (from 1965 to 1970) and five in a row (1980 to 1984).

After he took over the girls track and field team, SJA would win four state titles.

Prior to his track and field success, Frey’s first championship came with the boys cross country team in 1958, the school’s first cross country state crown.

A teacher for 30 years at SJA, Frey also served as athletic director for 11 years and assistant headmaster for seven years. He also was instrumental with track and field and running events for the local junior Olympics and St. Johnsbury Recreation Department. 

Frey was an outstanding multi-sport athlete at Fairleigh Dickinson University before he headed to the Northeast Kingdom to begin his 40-plus year teaching and coaching career.

He was named to the Vermont Principals Association Hall of Fame in 2008 and the track and field facility at St. Johnsbury Academy was named in his honor in 2010. Frey passed away in 2019 at age 90.