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MC’s Freitag gives new meaning to
being a ‘first-string’ athlete
Release Date: November 1, 2006
 MONMOUTH,
Ill. — As one of the best offensive linemen in the Midwest
Conference, Monmouth College’s Joe Freitag doesn’t play second
fiddle to anyone. The Fighting Scots’ left tackle takes that pursuit
of excellence with him off the field, too, as a member of the
Monmouth College String Ensemble.
“I have been playing the violin since I was six years old,” said
Freitag, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound senior who figures to earn his third
straight All-Midwest Conference honor this fall. “I first saw
someone playing the violin on Sesame Street, and I asked my mom if
she would let me take lessons.”
Thanks to Big Bird and the gang, a star was born.
“My very supportive parents instantly placed me in a Susuki program
(the Fleming Academy) in Springfield,” recalled Freitag, who played
in that city’s Illinois Youth Symphony throughout grade school and
in the spring during high school. “While I was playing with the
Fleming Academy, I recorded a CD when I was 10. I was the youngest
member of the group to be invited to play on the CD. We recorded the
CD at a studio in downtown Chicago, and it was a very interesting
few days. I had to learn how to play while listening to piano
accompaniment through headphones in one ear and listening to myself
play in the other.”
As his musical talents grew, so did his physical frame. By the time
he was in high school, Freitag stood 6-foot-0 and weighed about 200
pounds, and he was a natural to join the powerful football program
at Sacred Heart-Griffin. The Cyclones went 20-4 in Freitag’s final
two seasons, reaching the Class 5A state quarterfinals both seasons.
Since joining the Fighting Scots, his team has gone 25-5 when he’s
been in the starting lineup, and Monmouth reached the NCAA playoffs
for the first time in school history last fall.
“He had a great history at Sacred Heart-Griffin, and as a freshman
you could see that he was well-schooled and disciplined,” said
Monmouth football coach Steve Bell. “He’s very football smart, and
sometimes he’s a little bit nasty, which is a good thing.”
Continued Bell, “There’s no doubt about it – he’s our best player up
front, and he has been for the past two years. You know what you’re
going to get from him every game. He’s very consistent, and that’s
what you want from an offensive lineman – the ability to be
consistent from play to play.”
The combination of banging bodies in the trenches and having a
delicate touch on his musical instrument has been trying at times,
Freitag admitted.
“Being an athlete and musician has posed some challenges,” he said.
“I think I get more small injuries than other football players
because I play on the offensive line, where there are large
collisions every play.”
When this Saturday’s Bronze Turkey Game against Knox comes to a
close, Freitag might be done with his playing days, but his musical
performances should continue.
“I would enjoy continuing to play the violin for the rest of my
life,” said Freitag, who also plays the mandolin and guitar.
“Joe has just been a wonderful, enthusiastic member of the String
Ensemble,” said the group’s director, Carolyn Suda. “It’s the first
time we’ve had a Monmouth College football player in our group, and
we love it. Joe is proof that sports and the arts mix just great.”
Added Bell, “Off the field, I’d say his strengths are the same
things that make him successful on the football field. He’s very
disciplined, and he’s very coachable, which is a trait that carries
over for him into the classroom. Obviously, he’s multi-faceted, and
he understands that football is not the most important thing. He’s
just a good kid, and he’s what you want all your players to be like
in terms of personality and discipline.”
Following graduation in May, Freitag might put his history degree to
use as middle school or high school social studies teacher.
“I am also considering applying for graduate assistantships at
several schools to coach football,” he said.
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