When most people think of teacher of the year, they might imagine the core subject teachers. However, this year the sports management teacher Mr. Friedrich takes home the award.

“I mean it was a total surprise when I was told in our staff meeting on Tuesday, and it’s pretty neat thing,” said Mr. Friedrich, the campus Esports and Sports Management teacher. “I was  just really surprised. I just do what I do and hopefully people notice. I know the students do and it was it was nice to know that the teachers in the school noticed as well,” said Mr. Friedrich.

After 14 years on Wakeland’s campus, Mr. Friedrich not only impacts students but also teachers.

“He was my mentor last year,” said Mr. Nix. “Just seeing how he does things and how he handles his work and how he cares about his students is really impactful.

“I was introduced to Mr. Friedrich when I started here in the marketing department,” said Drano. “He immediately took me under his wing and taught me some of the ins and outs of not only Wakeland High School but also the way Frisco ISD operates.

His greatest Legacy currently resides in Alabama. His daughter Wakeland alum Brooke Friedrich carries on his passion for sports journalism. “I’m so proud of my dad for getting teacher of the year,” said Brooke, in a written response for comment. Brooke graduated from Wakeland in 20023 and attends the University of Alabama, where she follows in her father’s professional footsteps as the Alabama Hockey AAU Director of Media. 

“He works so hard and truly cares about all of his students and wants the best for all of them. I know that he just enjoys what he does so much and to see his hard work and dedication to Wakeland pay off makes me so proud. He’s definitely one of my biggest inspirations and has helped me get to where I am today in the world of sports. I don’t think there’s anyone who deserves this more than him.”

Whether he’s trading playful jabs with Drano or inspiring the next generation of sports executives Mr. Friedrich impact reaches far beyond the classroom.

“He’s born and raised in freaking Philadelphia,” said Drano, teasing his campus mentor.  “If I know anything about being a teacher in Texas, the last thing we want is a bunch of Yankees coming down here winning awards when all they do is walk around smell like cheesesteak and just spew off all these hot comments about “oh the Eagles are so great and the Cowboys are terrible,” said Drano. “That’s all I hear every single day! The guy didn’t even watch the games!”

Despite rooting for Philly, Mr. Friedrich will always be a Wolverine Legend.