What started out as one big joke, turned into a new title for Tierney Fraidenburg: Pioneer High School’s new varsity football kicker.
Early in June, 2018, Fraidenburg and her dad were playing soccer in their front yard when she kicked the ball surprisingly far. “That kick was probably 30 yards, you could kick a field goal with that,” he said. Fraidenburg didn’t think much of it at first until she jokingly mentioned it to her history teacher Mr. Bellers, who was also the Pioneer varsity football coach. The team had no kicker for their upcoming season, so he took it seriously. He wanted to see what she could do. She had been a soccer player for 12 years and was committed to diving and soccer for the fall of her junior year. She never imagined herself playing football. Fraidenburg declined at first, but Bellers persistence got her a tryout and an opportunity she never saw coming.
After a stressful GeoPhys (accelerated science) final, Fraidenburg changed into her cleats, walked up to Hollway field with three of her friends and waited in a small patch of shade, trying to escape from the harsh sun.
Like any tryout, nerves will always be present, but Fraidenburg’s jitters had more depth behind them; she wanted to show that she could be on the same level as the boys in football. All she could think about was kicking the ball as far as she could with as much accuracy as possible.
Bellers was impressed with her skills and offered her the position, giving her the entire summer to think it over. She knew the offer was an opportunity too good to pass up. Later deciding to skip travel soccer in the fall, Fraidenburg pronounced her commitment to football.
Midnight Madness: the first Pioneer football practice of the season lasting from midnight, until 2:30 in the morning. The night appeared long and daunting to Fraidenburg. She had never met anyone on the team before, and it didn’t help her nerves being the only girl at the practice. Nevertheless, the coaches came up to her right away and introduced themselves. Most of the tension had faded away while more and more players came up to Fraidenburg and welcomed her. The players were nothing but accepting and friendly; solely a positive environment.
Besides watching a few videos on kicking and a general explanation from her dad, Fraidenburg didn’t know much about kicking. At the beginning of the season, a kicking coach: Hamza Baccouche worked with Fraidenburg on getting her kicking techniques down. Baccouche taught her where to look, where to plant, how to put power into your step; everything she needed to know about kicking to improve her performance and build her confidence.
However, one Friday night game gave Fraidenburg more confidence than ever before.
Huron vs. Pioneer. The longtime rivals brought intensity to the game and excitement to the stands. Pioneer was the favorite to win, so the pressure was piled on the players. Pioneer was hungry for the win and fought for the trophy waiting at the end of the duel.
Fraidenburg stepped out onto the turf to kick the first P.A.T. (point after try) of the game. This was her chance to prove herself, but more importantly to be there for her team. She took her steps back. Lined up. And stood still, waiting for the snap. Her heart pounded through her shoulder pads. She knew the sidelines were cheering, but the silence consumed her. With a powerful kick and a smooth follow through, the ball shot through the air and between the towering goal posts; the kick was good.
A roar of excitement erupted in the crowd; she did it. Pioneer players stormed the field towards Fraidenburg. Everyone was jumping up and down, high fiving her and slapping each other on the helmet. Fraidenburg could feel the affectionate energy around her. She felt included and apart of something special. Pioneer won 48-6. After the massive win, Fraidenburg hopes she'll be awarded more playing time in future games. The teams walked down the 50-yard line, shaking hands at the end of the game. Fraidenburg noticed a couple widened eyes when her helmet came off. Not a lot of people expect to see her underneath a football uniform.
Being the only female in an entirely male-dominated sport at Pioneer, Fraidenburg has not experienced any rude remarks or special treatment because of her gender. She doesn’t get out of any conditioning, drills, or punishments. She's treated and respected as equal. “If [the coaches] were to yell at me the same way, Im fine with that; I can take it,” Fraidenburg said. ”I have this mentality for sports- you don’t complain, you don’t talk back- basically shut up and do it.” Pioneer Football lives by their F.A.M.I.L.Y.–forget about me, I love you–philosophy. This reminds the players to not be selfish and that they are not on the field for themselves; they are not working hard for themselves, but for the team. They want to prove that no matter who you are, you are a part of their family, working together for the results they crave.
This experience has caused Fraidenburg to come outside of her comfort zone more than she had ever before. For any upcoming challenges in her future, Fraidenburg will think about the time she went out for her school’s football team, as the only girl, showing them what she could do.
“There's no set gender for who gets to play football,” Fraidenburg said. “If you want to really do something, you can do it, there's nothing in your way.” You don’t have to be a kicker to be a girl on a football team, you can be the quarterback, you can be a linebacker, you can be a wide receiver, there's no restriction that says if you're a girl you can only play one thing. Just put in the work if you want it.”
“I'm really grateful for this experience. For the coaches believing in me and giving me an opportunity to show myself. For the guys for being so welcoming and all. I'm sure I'm going to remember this for the rest of my life.”