TEMPE, Ariz. – Sun Devil Athletics mourns the loss of former Sun Devil Football standout Fred Rhoades, who passed away last Thursday at the age of 80.
Rhoades was a two-way player at Arizona State, playing for legendary Head Coach Frank Kush from 1959-61. He was the starting center and co-captain of the 1961 team, earning All-Border Conference honors during his final season in Tempe. Not only did Rhoades make an impact on the offensive side of the ball, he also served as a linebacker for the Sun Devil defense.
The Sun Devils went 24-7 over the course of Rhoades' career, setting up the program for a successful transition from the Border Conference to the newly formed Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Rhoades helped pave the way for some of the most prolific rushing seasons in school history.
As part of one of the most dominant Sun Devil offensive lines, he created holes for All-Conference play makers Nolan Jones, Tony Lorick, Charley Taylor, and Clay Freney throughout his career. Rhodes along with fellow offensive lineman George Flint, Dick Locke, and Larry Reaves were each named to the All-Border Conference team in 1961.
The Elgin, Illinois native spurned offers to stay in the Midwest for college in favor of a scholarship from Arizona State and Frank Kush. Rhoades was a decorated high school athlete, playing both football and baseball. His long list of accolades on the gridiron swayed a decision to play football in college.
He played center and linebacker at Elgin High School, earning 1st Team All-Big 8 Conference his senior year. Rhoades was named to the All-Chicago Area Prep and Chicago Daily News All-State teams. He was a Second Team All-State 2nd Team and Chicago Tribune 1957 All-Star Squad member. As one of the best recruits in the state, Rhoades was also selected to the Chicago American All-Chicago Area Team and All-Northern Illinois 1st Team. Developing into one of the top two-way players in the Midwest, Rhoades earned a spot on the National High School All-America All-Stars 1957 Team and was nominated by the Sporting News to the 1957 National All-America Prep Football Team.
After a standout two-way career at Arizona State, Rhoades was signed by the Buffalo Bills as a free agent in 1962. Thanks to his many achievements, Rhoades was inducted into the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame back in 2010. He remained involved in the Sun Devil Football community, attending events and following the program closely. He remained in Arizona after his playing career and lived with wife Shirleen in the Southeast Valley up until his passing.
Rhoades was a two-way player at Arizona State, playing for legendary Head Coach Frank Kush from 1959-61. He was the starting center and co-captain of the 1961 team, earning All-Border Conference honors during his final season in Tempe. Not only did Rhoades make an impact on the offensive side of the ball, he also served as a linebacker for the Sun Devil defense.
The Sun Devils went 24-7 over the course of Rhoades' career, setting up the program for a successful transition from the Border Conference to the newly formed Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Rhoades helped pave the way for some of the most prolific rushing seasons in school history.
As part of one of the most dominant Sun Devil offensive lines, he created holes for All-Conference play makers Nolan Jones, Tony Lorick, Charley Taylor, and Clay Freney throughout his career. Rhodes along with fellow offensive lineman George Flint, Dick Locke, and Larry Reaves were each named to the All-Border Conference team in 1961.
The Elgin, Illinois native spurned offers to stay in the Midwest for college in favor of a scholarship from Arizona State and Frank Kush. Rhoades was a decorated high school athlete, playing both football and baseball. His long list of accolades on the gridiron swayed a decision to play football in college.
He played center and linebacker at Elgin High School, earning 1st Team All-Big 8 Conference his senior year. Rhoades was named to the All-Chicago Area Prep and Chicago Daily News All-State teams. He was a Second Team All-State 2nd Team and Chicago Tribune 1957 All-Star Squad member. As one of the best recruits in the state, Rhoades was also selected to the Chicago American All-Chicago Area Team and All-Northern Illinois 1st Team. Developing into one of the top two-way players in the Midwest, Rhoades earned a spot on the National High School All-America All-Stars 1957 Team and was nominated by the Sporting News to the 1957 National All-America Prep Football Team.
After a standout two-way career at Arizona State, Rhoades was signed by the Buffalo Bills as a free agent in 1962. Thanks to his many achievements, Rhoades was inducted into the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame back in 2010. He remained involved in the Sun Devil Football community, attending events and following the program closely. He remained in Arizona after his playing career and lived with wife Shirleen in the Southeast Valley up until his passing.