The Man On The Mic – Jason Fridge

Jason Fridge’s time at O’Dea High School truly shaped and molded him in his interests to succeed beyond high school. Now at Cabrini University, he has continued to keep a connection with the O’Dea community through his love for announcing.

It all began in November of his sophomore year where he was seated in the mentor group of Mr. Lara, who was the Digital Media Club director at the time. Lara was joking with Fridge about filling in as broadcaster for a football game against Wilson High School, but Fridge being the outgoing man he is, said yes.

“I was a nervous wreck, but I put on the headset and fell in love. It was the first time I got that rush,” Fridge shared about his first broadcast.

He continued to broadcast throughout his time at O’Dea and did it every time he got the chance. Fridge covered a variety of sports here including football, basketball, and sometimes even baseball.

Out of all the games he has covered in his time in high school, he does have a favorite.

“It has to be my junior year when O’Dea played Garfield in basketball. Paolo [Banchero] was at the top of his hype, Garfield was number one in the state, and it was sold out. Truman Wisen and I had our best game of all time as well as O’Dea coming out with a win,” Fridge shared.

Though he had a notable time at O’Dea, rocking a suit and tie with full excitement, he has moved on to Cabrini University where he continues to live out his dream as an announcer.

A big part that helped him at Cabrini was his commitment for lacrosse. The lacrosse coach knew he had a passion for broadcasting and helped him get set up with the athletic communication director, David Howell.

After he had connected with Howell, he was offered to broadcast a double header men’s and women’s soccer game the very next day.

“I was not the biggest soccer fan so I was figuring it out on the fly, but I felt that rush again,” Fridge shared.

His first Cabrini soccer game only sparked more interest, as he continues to try more sports like field hockey and basketball in his lacrosse off season.

Fridge comes back to O’Dea when he can to help out, as he was also a school vice-captain his senior year. He most notably came back recently to share his experience at O’Dea and what it meant to him for the student body. As Thanksgiving and Christmas break approaches, he plans on visiting his old teachers who support his journey throughout broadcasting.

His advice for students interested in broadcasting is, “just do it and take advantage of all the opportunities that come your way. Whether that is join the DMC club or practicing on your own. Just get involved. Do some work behind the scenes in the DMC club and an opportunity will come up for you to take a shot.”

Fridge wants to continue his broadcasting career after earning his degree at Cabrini, as he is majoring in communications which he hopes to utilize in the real world. The O’Dea community can vouge knows Fridge, the sky is the limit.