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Longtime Station Camp coach Bob Frech set to retire





Station Camp Head Coach Bob Frech talks with his team during Thursday’s state championship.Brett Berwager

Station Camp Head Coach Bob Frech talks with his team during Thursday’s state championship.Brett Berwager

Long time Station Camp Cross County, Track & Field coach, and US Government/Civics teacher Bob Frech will retire at the end of the semester.

Frech, a 20-year coach and teacher at Station Camp has been a part of the Bison program since its opening in 2001-02. He wrapped his illustrious coaching career at the TSSAA State Cross Country Championships on Nov. 4, where he cheered on his team one final time wearing his coaching whistle.

Bison fans will still see coach Frech around campus, where he has become a mainstay as the Voice of the Bison for the football and basketball programs.

“It’s been a gratifying 20 year career for me at Station Camp,” Frech said. “Station Camp is an excellent school, and Mr. Crook is a great person to work for. I look forward to staying on doing the football and basketball games.”

Taking over for Frech is Ryne Sexton, a 2005 Station Camp graduate and 2003 State Champion.

“I am excited to see how far we can take this program,” Sexton said. “Coach Frech got us to 20 straight state meets, and that is something we take great pride in. I’ve told the kids just because he leaves, nothing changes. He set the foundation for this program, and we don’t plan on changing any of that. This program is built on a family, and that is the legacy he leaves.”

Station Camp Head Coach Bob Frech encourages his team before Thursday’s boys final.Brett Berwager

Station Camp Head Coach Bob Frech encourages his team before Thursday’s boys final.Brett Berwager

Learning from Coach Frech

Throughout 20 years, Bob Frech has touched countless lives through the sport of cross country and track and field.

His care, willingness to listen, and coach every kid with the same amount of passion make him among the greats in the coaching profession.

For Gallatin Athletic Director Jason Frech, growing up with his dad coaching at a rival school while he attended Beech, he noticed firsthand just how much he cared about every individual runner, even those who may not be on his team.

“His love for the sport and the kids has been tremendous to see from the outside,” Frech said. “He is the most authentic competitor you’ll meet, and even though he so badly wants to win, he cares about the kids first. I just can’t thank him enough for what he did for me.

Station Camp Head Coach Bob Frech shares a moment with his grandson before Thursday’s Boys D1 AAA race.Brett Berwager

Station Camp Head Coach Bob Frech shares a moment with his grandson before Thursday’s Boys D1 AAA race.Brett Berwager

“This sport is going to teach you everything you need to know about life,” Frech continued. “His favorite thing to say when running the mile was the third lap is always the hardest, and that’s because most people are saving up for that lap, or they are thinking about the beginning and regret how they started. If you can own that third lap, you can own the mile, which is the same thing in life. If you can own it when it’s tough, when everything is rough and not smooth, then you will be set for when it is.”

Ryne Sexton has seen and heard his share of pre-race talks, post-race reviews, and everything in between, and while he did learn a thing or two when Frech missed time in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, says he is still learning to this day from coach Frech.

“Patience,” he said. “I’ve never had a problem coaching the motivated kids; that’s easy. Before, I struggled with coaching kids who didn’t have that killer instinct, but he taught me how to get the best out of every athlete — it’s one of the things I respect so much about him. Whether you are a 15 minute kid or a 35 minute kid, he is going to make sure you know how important you are to the team, and I’ve learned that over these last six years.”

Ryne “Squeaky” Sexton and Bob Frech talk strategy during a cross country meet earlier this season. Sexton will take over head coach cross country and track & field responsibilities starting next semester. STATION CAMP HIGH SCHOOL

Ryne “Squeaky” Sexton and Bob Frech talk strategy during a cross country meet earlier this season. Sexton will take over head coach cross country and track & field responsibilities starting next semester. STATION CAMP HIGH SCHOOL

Home course advantage

Fans will notice the last two years the TSSAA State Cross Country Championships have taken place at Saunders Ferry Park in Hendersonville, but many fans may not realize that course is only there because of Frech and former Beech coach Brice Askren.

In 2004 Frech and Askren were looking for a place to hold a regional meet, and going back to Moss-Wright Park in Goodlettsville seemed to be out of the question.

One morning, when Frech was out fishing, he noticed a perfect course right here in Sumner County.

Station Camp Head Coach Bob Frech talks with his team before the boys race Thursday.Brett Berwager

Station Camp Head Coach Bob Frech talks with his team before the boys race Thursday.Brett Berwager

“I’m out fishing one day at the park, and I think to myself, ‘we could make three miles here.’”

So that’s precisely what Frech and Askren did — make a three mile course at Sanders Ferry that could house a 5k race.

“We got our lawnmowers out, our measuring wheels, and we just made a course,” he said with a smile.

“That gave us a home course,” son Jason added. “We used to run at Thompkins Farm, which is the toughest course in the state, but to now have a home course that was time/runner friendly was a big deal. I think it’s a huge advantage for our runners who make it to state.”

Shining the spotlight on running

Not only has Frech given the last 20 years to the Staton Camp running community, but he has always looked out for the other programs in the county.

One of Frech’s biggest money producers is the Sumner County Championships — held during the fall and spring seasons. The events have been held every year for the last 19 years.

Station Camp Head Coach Bob Frech shares a moment with his team before the boys state championship race Thursday.Brett Berwager

Station Camp Head Coach Bob Frech shares a moment with his team before the boys state championship race Thursday.Brett Berwager

The championship meets begin championship season for head coach Ryne Sexton.

“Having those certainly adds another element to the season,” Sexton said. “It kicks off the championship part of the year. Not only that, but if you win, you get to walk around the county with your chest out for a year. Also, for us at Station Camp, a few football guys came out this year to help us win it all, and I think that helped grow some confidence as they headed into football season.”

Now that Frech’s time has come for the spotlight to shine on him, son Jason says it’s been an incredible 20 years.

“Watching him do what he loves for these last 20 years has been a blast to see,” he said.

Station Camp Head Coach Bob Frech talks with his team before the boys race Thursday.Brett Berwager

Station Camp Head Coach Bob Frech talks with his team before the boys race Thursday.Brett Berwager

Station Camp Head Coach Bob Frech encourages his team before Thursday’s boys final.Brett Berwager

Station Camp Head Coach Bob Frech encourages his team before Thursday’s boys final.Brett Berwager

Station Camp Head Coach Bob Frech encourages Aidan Garner before Thursday’s race.Brett Berwager

Station Camp Head Coach Bob Frech encourages Aidan Garner before Thursday’s race.Brett Berwager

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