Alumni Spotlight: Tel Frisinger
Built for the Trenches: Tel Frisinger’s Rise as a Defensive Force at Crown College
From undersized high school linebacker to one of the most disciplined defensive linemen in the UMAC, Tel Frisinger is redefining what it means to earn your spot.
Hailing from Central Kitsap High School in Washington, Tel wasn’t the loudest prospect in his class. But what he lacked in attention, he made up for with grit. During his senior season, he recorded 23 total tackles while playing both linebacker and tight end. It was a modest stat line on paper—but Crown College saw what mattered: football IQ, toughness, and a relentless motor.
That motor took him from Puget Sound to St. Bonifacius, Minnesota, where he joined the Crown College football program as a true freshman in 2023.
Earning His Way in DIII Football
Freshman year: 11 tackles. A tackle for loss. Limited reps, big effort. Frisinger spent that year doing the dirty work—special teams, second-team reps, scout team battles. But his 3.98 GPA didn’t go unnoticed, earning him Academic All-UMAC honors and setting the tone for what kind of student-athlete he would become.
Sophomore year brought more playing time and another Academic All-UMAC nod. His stat line stayed light—just 5 tackles—but what changed was his presence. Coaches began trusting him in key downs. Teammates named him the team’s top "#1 Body" for his domination in the weight room. A 490 lb squat and 370 lb bench made sure of that.
The Breakout: 2025
In his junior season, Tel made noise.
35 total tackles
6 tackles for loss
1.5 sacks
1 fumble recovery
1 blocked kick
From rotational guy to impact starter, Frisinger became a problem for opposing offenses. His high-motor style made him a disruptive force across the defensive front. Against Northwestern–St. Paul, he tied for second on the team with 7 tackles. But his defining moment came in the 2025 UMAC Championship game: Crown’s first ever. On the opening possession, Tel jumped on a loose ball to set the tone for a 38–20 win and a trip to the NCAA DIII playoffs.
He didn’t just play in the biggest game in program history—he helped shape it.
Built Different
At 6’0", 244 lbs, Tel Frisinger is built for the grind. He’s the guy who leads film sessions, pushes teammates in lifts, and dominates the line of scrimmage with leverage and motor. He’s also holding onto that 3.98 GPA, proving that brain and brawn aren’t mutually exclusive.
He leads through consistency. Through quiet example. Through faith. Through discipline. His favorite Bible verse is Ephesians 6:11, which speaks to putting on the full armor of God—pretty fitting for a D-lineman crashing through O-lines.
What’s Next?
Tel enters his senior season with the UMAC on notice. He's returning as one of the anchors of Crown’s defense, and his best ball is still ahead of him. Don’t be surprised if all-conference honors follow.
Whether he goes on to coach, play at the next level, or build in business, one thing’s for sure: Tel Frisinger is going to outwork and outlead everyone in the room.
Built strong. Focused mind. Unshakable heart.
That’s how Tel does it.