MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

Not sure if you had a chance to read “The TEN – The Tim Peterson edition” that was written by another one of our staffers last week but it’s all true.

It is true that the only sport that I ever participated in at Arroyo High School was wrestling. And that was only during my freshman year. It is true that although there was no truth to the rumor that I was the inspiration for the Jeff Spicoli character in the movie “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” I did bear a strange resemblance.

I won’t say exactly what my GPA was in high school and although I did graduate without incident it was nowhere near a 4.6. But given all of that I still received the “Community Service Award” from the National Football Foundation last Wednesday night at a banquet that was recognizing scholar athletes in the San Gabriel Valley. And some of these athletes had GPA’s of yes…4.6.

How do you get a 4.6? I didn’t even know that was possible. My biggest concern was not failing U.S. Government my senior year so I would be able to walk with my class and not disappoint grandma. I had to white knuckle it my last semester to make the grade.

All of that and some 40 plus years later I was presented an award from the National Football Foundation. It’s never too late to turn your life around.

When NFF President Tony Ortega invited me to the banquet and advised me of the recognition several weeks ago for my 25 years of covering High School football in the San Gabriel Valley, I thought this can only mean one thing…I’m getting old! A thought that was confirmed at the banquet by Arcadia head coach Eric Elias who reminded me that I covered him in high school.

At the banquet, to kick off the evening, everyone was asked to stand, face the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance – a National Football Foundation tradition. A tradition that should be a constant not only at the Foundation but at every school across the nation.

Former Charter Oak quarterback Vincent Farrar was the Keynote Speaker and knocked it out of the park. Farrar, now a senior of the University of San Diego, may not only be a college head football coach one day but may also run for President. This guy has it going on. Oh, and yeah, I also covered him in high school.

Former Monrovia Wildcat Mason Bryant also serves on the board and gave a presentation. Bryant, who went on to play football at Penn after graduating from Monrovia, is now a financial advisor for a high-profile company. Yes, I covered him.

South Pasadena running back Trey Freking was not only our Player of the Year for 2025 but also possibly the most-polite athlete I’ve ever spoken to. Freking, who is headed to the University of Chicago, answered every question with “Yes sir and no sir.” He also called me Mr. Peterson which was cool…but again confirmed my advanced age.

Fred Freking, an NFF Board member and Trey’s father, played football at UC Santa Barbara with Upland head football coach Darryl Thomas. Small world.

Ortega, who has done a phenomenal job as the National Football Foundation President for the last 15 years is passing the torch to Joel Sanchez. Sanchez, who has been Ortega’s right-hand man for several years, is ready to take the reins.

John Kovac, the legendary El Monte PA announcer, was also on hand at the banquet to honor the athletes. Kovac, who likes to introduce me as “Pulitzer Prize winner” Tim Peterson when I attend a game at El Monte, is actually the one that may be the next man up for recognition. Rumor has it that he will be receiving the “Golden Mic” award soon.

Wow Pulitzer Prize? I really did turn my life around.

That’s my principle.

Tim can be reached tim.midvalleysports@gmail.com or on Twitter @tspeterson40. Facebook – Tim Peterson