Saint Peter Public Schools

In addition to the traditional Saints’ Homecoming Week festivities taking place at Floyd B. Johnson Field this Friday (Oct. 9) as part of the annual football game, there will also be a dedication ceremony at some point that evening for the recently renovated press box.

Long-time Saints football coach Frank Fredlund, who passed away on November 8, 2023, left $60,000 to the SPHS athletic department as part of his estate. School officials, with the collaboration of some of Fredlund’s former colleagues and former players, determined a good way to use those funds was to renovate the interior of the athletic field’s press box. It will be known from that point forward as the Frank Fredlund Pressbox, with signage being installed soon signifying his generous contribution. The dedication plans will be finalized later this week and will be shared on the school’s website and social media feeds which it becomes available.

The dedication will also coincide with the 50th & 45th anniversary of the Saints’ 1976 and 1981 state football championship teams, and a recognition of those teams will be part of the event. Fredlund was an assistant coach for the 1976 team and the head coach in 1981. Stay tuned for more details as they are finalized.

Fredlund, who taught and coached at Chokio-Alberta for eight years prior to coming to St. Peter, began his teaching/coaching career at SPHS in 1968 where he taught physical education/health and driver’s training, and also coached football and basketball during his tenure here. He retired from teaching in 1993 and coaching in 1996. 

He is best known for his work with the Saints’ football program where he served as assistant coach from 1968 to 1976 before taking over as head coach in the fall of 1977 and he led the program for the next 20 seasons.