Phil Frerk, high school girls basketball Hall of Fame coach, dies at 83

Phil Frerk’s tenure as the girls basketball coach at St. Louis Park High School was brief, but it left a lasting impression.

Frerk, who directed the Orioles to the two state titles and five state tournament appearances in his 6½ seasons as the Orioles coach, died Jan. 17. Frerk, who lived in New Hope, was 83.

Frerk, a teacher in the St. Louis Park system for 30 years, became the Orioles head coach in 1984 after nine seasons as an assistant. The Orioles reached the state tournament in his first season.

After winning the Class 2A consolation title in 1985, the Orioles defeated St. Paul Highland Park for the Class 2A championship in 1986.

The Orioles won the Class 2A third-place game at the 1987 state tournament.

In 1989, the Orioles lost to Little Falls in the semifinals before defeating International Falls for third place. In 1990, the Orioles defeated Elk River in the Class 2A championship game.

Frerk resigned as head coach midway through the 1990-91 season. Frerk and assistant coach Bruce McLean swapped positions.

“My coaching time clock said it was time for somebody else to take over,” Frerk told the Star Tribune. “It was my decision, and there was nothing dramatic about it.”

The Orioles went on to advance to the state tournament for the sixth time in seven seasons. They lost to Duluth East in the consolation final.

Under Frerk, the Orioles compiled a 152-21 record. They reached a section championship game in each of his six full seasons as coach. In 1988, the Orioles lost to Edina in the Class 2A, Section 6 championship game.

Frerk is a member of the St. Louis Park High School Athletic Hall of Fame and was named to the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1997.

Frerk, who grew up in Slayton, Minn., was a recipient of the Classic Lake Conference Distinguished service award.