UAlbany's Fralicker glad he's still kicker

ALBANY -- Jason Fralicker wasn't going to play football for the University at Albany this year because he wanted to get a job.

After second thoughts, Fralicker is back in the occupation he truly loves -- place-kicker.

Fralicker, a fifth-year senior, cemented his place as the best kicker in program history by making his school-record 23rd career field goal in a 38-7 win over Sacred Heart last week.

He accomplished the feat in less than two seasons after transferring from Erie Community College.

"It means a lot when you come in and excel at something and you have (10) other guys on the field to share it with," Fralicker said.

He wasn't with those teammates during spring practice because he had decided to leave football behind. He was due to receive his degree in information science and wanted to get on with his career, possibly as a teacher.

"It was more of a financial thing," he said. "I was looking to get ahead in the job field."

But Fralicker began to have doubts when he saw his then-roommates, offensive lineman Sam Pagano and linebacker Mark Peretore, head to morning workouts while Fralicker was bound for class.

He visited the coaches' office and stopped by spring practice. He took some sarcastic ribbing from punter Chris Lynch and talked with Pagano and linebacker Colin Disch.

"You definitely miss it," Fralicker said. "I wanted to take advantage of (football) as long as I could. I decided maybe this is what I want to do."

Fralicker had a year of eligibility left because he redshirted his first season at UAlbany in 2005. He postponed one of his classes to this fall so he could continue playing. After this semester, he'll become the second college graduate in his family, following his uncle.

UAlbany coach Bob Ford said Fralicker would have regretted not coming back for a final season.

"You can't say at the age of 28, 'I'm going to go back to college and get that last year in,' " Ford said.

The Great Danes are certainly glad to have him back. He's made 10 of 15 field goals this season to improve to 23 of 34 for his UAlbany career. His career long is 46 yards, though Ford said he would try him from 60, if necessary.

Ford just wishes he had a kicker like Fralicker earlier.

"We lost two championships because of our inability to kick short-range field goals," Ford said. "If we had Jay back then, we'd have two more championship rings."

UAlbany (3-3) continues its quest for a Northeast Conference title on Saturday at St. Francis (Pa.).

Ford also thinks Fralicker, who grew up playing soccer in North Tonawanda, could attract interest from pro football scouts.

Fralicker has gotten ribbing from his teammates, who have called him "Chubby" for gaining eight pounds while he was on football hiatus.

Peretore said he wasn't surprised Fralicker returned.

"I never really thought he was going to leave," Peretore said. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play college football."

Linda Fralicker, his mother, gave the decision her blessing.

"We support anything he wants to do," she said.

Mark Singelais