‘For his selfless dedication to the success of Oxford Athletes for over three decades, (Coach and Contributor Ted) Freymiller is being rewarded with induction into the Oxford Athletics Hall of Fame.?
‘Coach Frey,? as he was known to all came to Oxford in 1959 after serving in the United States military and graduating from Superior University in Wisconsin.
Freymiller taught briefly in Iron Mountain, Centeria, Wisconsin and Ortonville before spending more than 34 years as member of the Oxford faculty.
When Coach Frey wasn’t teaching subjects ranging from mathematics to physical education, he was active in the athletic department. He spent decades as a volunteer at track meets and as a scoreboard operator at basketball games.
Freymiller served as a baseball coach and as an assistant football coach. For years, he was a key asset in the success of the football program, scouting opponents meticulously and providing detailed reports to the staff and players.?
‘I had a lot of fun coaching and running the pole vault pit (at track meets),? Freymiller said.
When asked how he felt being named to the hall of fame, Freymiller said it was ‘good.?
‘I know I should have been in there sooner than what I am now,? he added.
As for specific memories of his time at Oxford, Freymiller recalled a funny story in which the basketball team got penalized because the other team’s coach noticed all of Oxford’s players had a different number on their jersey than what was listed on the roster.
‘That was five fouls for illegal numbers. The other team shot free throws before the game even started,? he said. ‘We went into the locker room to check and change the numbers. When we came out they made (the players) report to the scoring table to make sure we didn’t foul up again.?
Freymiller, who current resides in Wisconsin, noted that he enjoyed working with Coach Walt Braun, the players and other staff.
‘I had a lot of fun and I had a lot of good friends that I chummed around with,? he said.
Also named as an inductee to the hall of fame was Elijah Jones, who graduated in 1900. Elijah ‘Bumpus? Jones enters the hall of fame posthumously as the oldest inductee and the first Oxford native to play major league baseball.
Jones was born on a farm in Oakwood in 1882, received his education from the Thomas and Oxford Public Schools.
Although the 5?11″ Jones spent five seasons in the minors as a pitcher and an outfielder for teams like the Montreal Royals, Indianapolis Indians, Jersey City Skeeters, Johnstown Johnnies and the Rochester Hustlers, he is best known locally for his two seasons as a Detroit Tiger and for introducing baseball royalty to Oxford.
After the Tigers purchased Jones? rights from the Springfield Senators, he made his major league debut on April 13, 1907 and appeared in several games for Hugh Jennings? Tigers that year, recording a complete game and what would count today as a save for a pitcher.
Jones would make more brief appearances with the Tigers in 1909, but would also become pals with Tigers legend and avid outdoors man, Ty Cobb. Cobb, not yet 21 and already making a $,3000 annual salary, was introduced to Stony Lake and the surrounding woods by Jones.
Jones operated a garage in Thomas after his retirement from baseball and later opened a Buick sales and service station in Oxford before suffering a fatal heart attack in 1943 at the age of 61.