Joe Gaiter: What does football mean to you?
Frederick Quigley Jr: Football means everything to me. Football is a gateway for me. It allows me to show my talents and hard work, it will allow me to provide for my family while doing what I love. Without football it would be hard for me to be able to express myself.
Joe Gaiter: How was your childhood and when did you start playing sports?
Frederick Quigley Jr: My childhood was very stressful. I grew up with my mom and my two sisters. I was the oldest and only male. It was hard watching my mom struggle to pay the bills pay check to paycheck. Our daily meal was either Roman noodles or hot dogs. Me and my sisters used to sleep on the floor with no beds. It was hard going to school when other kids always had what they wanted and you have to struggle for everything. I didn’t realize how important struggle was at that age. It’s hard seeing a single mother take care of 3 kids on her own. I would help my mom. I would go to pick my sister up from school at 4:30 every day and still would have to make it to practice. I first got into sports in 6 grade when I started playing soccer. I play middle field and defender. I didn’t begin playing football until 10th grade. I started by playing JV and I was a linebacker. I barely touched the field. It was hard doing this when no one from your family was at the games, no one cheering me on. Everyone was already ahead of me and I needed to catch up. I realize the only way to do that was to outwork them. This drove me to start working out extra doing extra things after practice or before it started to show on the field.
Joe Gaiter: What are your fondest memories about playing at Ballou High School?
Frederick Quigley Jr: My fondest moment playing for Ballou High School was my senior year week 4 playing against McKinley Tech I came into the game in the 4th quarter with the score 42-0 I had 6 touches for 75 yard and averaged 12.2 yard with my longest run being 27 yard. This is one of my best memories because I worked hard all high school and no one knew me. I had to prove myself. I finally got my shine and finally got to show the city what I could do. This was a start to a new beginning.
Joe Gaiter: Tell us about your recruitment experience.
Frederick Quigley Jr: My recruitment experience was very difficult because I had a major injury my senior year one of my teammates fell on my ankle in practice while doing an inside zone drill which put me out for the year. Coaches didn’t know me and I barely had any film. One coach took a chance on me at Bethany College and offered me a full ride because my academics were great. I had a 3.7 cumulative while allowing me to go to Bethany for free along with the scholarships I had earned.
Joe Gaiter: Bethany College was 4-6 last season. What went wrong in your opinion?
Frederick Quigley Jr: In my opinion I feel that the coaching could have been better, the players could’ve had more discipline and work harder as a team. No one on the team talked about playing on a high level or would clown me if I would put in extra work or tried to get better
Joe Gaiter: What was your contribution to the team?
Frederick Quigley Jr: I probably would be considered one of the hardest working on Bethany. Coming in as a freshman I was on the scout team but I would go hard run hard and not leave anything on the field.
Joe Gaiter: How do you use your size to your advantage on the field?
Frederick Quigley Jr. On the field I use my speed most of the time and it is hard to bring me down. I was an explosive player who is short and very stocky and defenders would find it hard to tackle me.
Joe Gaiter: What have been the lessons you have learned most about yourself at Bethany College?
Frederick Quigley Jr: I sat out the 4-6 seasons I decided to focus on getting better and transferring. I learn to be prepared as a player because you don’t know what you’re going to be put up against you might be a start coming out of high school but coming into college as a freshman you’re going to have to prove yourself.
Joe Gaiter: Why did you transfer to West Virginia State University?
Frederick Quigley Jr: I decided to transfer to WVSU because it was a better option for me as a player although I would be considered a walk on I’m willing to take a risk with myself. I know I can handle adversity and overcome anything. Going from d3 to d2 might be a challenge but all the things I’ve been through I know I can overcome it. I have goals and dreams I want to make it to the league and I want to be part of a winning team state was my go to all of my credits went over smooth and things had planned out perfect. I didn’t look at who they had on the team or who I had competition with all I cared about was an opportunity I know I can grind my way through things and come out on top.
