University of Dayton Athletics

Thomas J. Frericks was born on March 17, 1932 in Minster, Ohio. He graduated Minster High in 1949 and attended UD playing on the basketball team. He graduated UD in 1953 with a major in Education and minors in History, English, and Science. 

After graduation, he coached the Chaminade Highschool Boys Basketball team from 1953-1963. He held a record of 166-54. 

He began his administration in 1964 at UD and was named Athletic Director in 1964 replacing Harry Baujan. As an UD’s Athletic Director he oversaw the building of the UD Arena which seats over 13,000 fans. In 1987 he served on the Division 1 Men’s Basketball Committee which picks NCAA Tournament participants and playing sites and was nominated the secretary/treasurer of the NCAA. With the Division 1 Men’s Basketball Committee he helped negotiate a $1 billion TV contract with CBS. In 1991 he received the NIT Service to Basketball Award, Lifetime Achievement Award from Ohio Professional and Amateur Sport Association, and the Wilford S. Bailey Award for top collegiate sports administrators in the country.

In 1992, Frericks retired from the Athletic Director and continued as Vice President of Athletics and Facilities. He passed away January 31, 1992 of prostate cancer. Hundred of people from the Dayton community came to pay their respects to the Dayton legend at his memorial service.