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News Nuggets, 12.10.04
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Gamecocks' ol' man "Pops" still in the limelight

COLUMBIA — ``Pops'' is closing his first college football season in style.

Tim Frisby, South Carolina's 39-year-old receiver who has shared his story with Jay Leno and David Letterman among others, will get more national attention this week.

Frisby is in Orlando, FL, where he'll be honored on ESPN's Home Depot College Football Awards show with the Walt Disney World of Sports Spirit Award, given each year to college football's most inspirational person or team.

On Friday, Frisby will take part in the Cingular ABC Sports All-America Celebration, where he'll receive the Keith Jackson Award for Excellence. The show will be broadcast Saturday night.

``I'm just honored and proud that I can go down there and represent the university,'' Frisby said by phone on his way to the airport Wednesday.

The trip is just the latest for Frisby, the 20-year Army veteran with six children who walked on with the Gamecocks last winter. He served in Desert Storm and the Kosovo conflict and, with plans to retire from the service, thought he might make a pretty fair college receiver.

After outlasting about 60 walk-ons this fall, Frisby spent time on the field. He lined up at receiver for the final four plays in a 17-7 victory over Troy in September and took part on the punt coverage team as South Carolina ended its season with a 29-7 loss at Clemson.

Since he made the team in the fall, Frisby's tale has gone coast to coast. He has joked with Letterman about former coach Lou Holtz eating players and with Leno on his nickname, ``Pops.'' He's had offers from producers about becoming Hollywood's next ``Rudy.''

Frisby is a little puzzled on why his story has connected with people.

``I have wondered about it,'' he said. ``I thought I was always going to fly under the radar.''

Instead, Frisby took flight. He was featured on ESPN's College GameDay and Cold Pizza morning show. He was the subject of a CBS Sports segment on Thanksgiving Day.

``It's been a special year for me,'' Frisby says. ``I'm so happy that Coach Holtz believed in me and gave me the chance.''

Holtz said Frisby was a hard worker who deserved the time he got.

Frisby made the Gamecocks ``because of his attitude and because of the way he works and the things he does,'' Holtz said. ``I appreciate the sacrifice he's made.''

Frisby hopes he'll get a similar chance with new coach Steve Spurrier next fall. Frisby says he's briefly met Spurrier and the Gamecocks new receivers coach, Steve Spurrier Jr. Frisby hasn't discussed where he fits with the new regime.

``I think I do,'' Frisby said.

He's all but certain he'll line up with other Gamecocks next month when offseason workouts begin. Still, with a large family, including two high-school age children, a lucrative deal might come in handy.

``You can only do this once. It's a big thing to give up your eligibility,'' said Frisby, who will turn 40 in February. ``It's definitely a serious decision. You hope that next year, some of these opportunities might still be around.''

Lou Groza Award winners

Winners of the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Palm Beach County Sports Authority:

2004 — Mike Nugent, Ohio State
2003 — Jonathan Nichols, Mississippi
2002 — Nate Kaeding, Iowa
2001 — Seth Marler, Tulane
2000 — Jonathon Ruffin, Cincinnati
1999 — Sebastian Janikowski, Florida State
1998 — Sebastian Janikowski, Florida State
1997 — Martin Gramatica, Kansas State
1996 — Mark Primanti, North Carolina State
1995 — Michael Reeder, Texas Christian
1994 — Steve McLaughlin, Arizona
1993 — Judd Davis, Florida
1992 — Joe Allison, Memphis

Ray Guy Award winners

Winners of the Ray Guy Award presented to the nation's best punter:

2004 — Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor
2003 — BJ Sander, Ohio State
2002 — Mark Mariscal, Colorado
2001 — Travis Dorsch, Purdue
2000 — Kevin Stemke, Wisconsin

News Nuggets are compiled periodically based on material supplied by staff members; data published by ECU, Conference USA and its member schools; and reports from Associated Press and other sources. Copyright 2004 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007 12:06 PM