Connor Frazell will kick for Pittsburg State University today, but he accomplished his goal three seasons ago. The Iola native made it a mission to make PSU’s roster. He did so in 2012.
“When I was little, my dad, mom, grandparents and family would come watch the Pitt State games,” Frazell said. “After the games, I would go out on the field and kick field goals. Everyone was just impressed with how well I could kick and they would tell me that I would be the kicker here someday. And that actually happened.”
Frazell will suit up today for Pitt State’s game against the University of Central Oklahoma. It will be the last game of the regular season.
The 9-1 Gorillas will compete next week in the Division-II playoffs. Frazell’s foot has been a big part of the team’s success this season.
Frazell was named the MIAA special team’s player of the week twice — Oct. 4 and Oct. 25 — for kicking three field goals in each game.
“I really wasn’t expecting it,” Frazell said. “I know I had some good games. I couldn’t do it without my teammates. It’s an awesome accomplishment and feels great.”
Frazell has made 16 of 24 field goals and converted all 41 points after attempts, giving him a total of 89 points for the season.
He leads the team in points scored and is second overall in the MIAA, while leading all MIAA kickers. His field goal total over his three-year career at PSU ranks second and he has scored 268 points for fourth most all-time.
Frazell said his dad, Jay Don, who died in March, is the reason he’s having such a great season and career.
“He’s the one who pushed me to do my best,” Frazell said. “When I was younger, he’d always take me out to the football field and have me kicking. He helped me fine-tune my skills.”
Frazell has been kicking since he was “probably 3 years old.” He played soccer until he was in the sixth grade and said the skills he learned there helped with kicking the football.
Back in his Iola Mustang playing days, Frazell has a couple field goals he remembers fondly.
“I remember beating Independence twice,” Frazell said. “One of them was a game-winner and the other one was a 52-yard field goal to win that one also.”
Pittsburg State didn’t call on Frazell out of high school. That would be Butler Community College. Frazell spent two stellar seasons at Butler before he made it on the Gorillas’ roster.
“It’s been my passion to kick and I’ve always wanted to kick here at Pitt, so once I made the team I put my all into it,” Frazell said. “I try to do my best every day to try and help the team out.”
Although Frazell’s college football days are numbered, his future is set.
“Right now, I’m going to try to try out for the NFL by going to some showcase camps,” Frazell said.
The construction management major also has a backup plan.
“If that doesn’t work out, I have accepted a full-time job with Crossland Construction Company.”
Until his final game, Frazell will continue to kick field goals for the team he spent his childhood watching.
Frazell’s career at PSU coming to end
