July 23, 2008

MEMPHIS, TENN. - Former Memphis Tiger center Gene Frederic will be vying for an Arena Football League championship as an offensive lineman with the San Jose SaberCats this weekend in New Orleans.

The Virgin Mobile ArenaBowl XXII will feature the SaberCats against the Philadelphia Soul at New Orleans Arena on Sunday, July 27, at 2 p.m. CT on ABC. The SaberCats are the defending World Champions, and have also won titles in 2002 and 2004.

A native of St. Louis, Mo., Frederic is in his first season with the SaberCats and has played in 13 games this year. He had previously been associated with the New Orleans Voodoo, the New York Dragons and the Memphis XPlorers of af2. Frederic had a three-yard touchdown reception in the American Conference Championship nearly two weeks ago in which San Jose advanced to the championship game with an 81-55 victory over the Grand Rapids Rampage.

A four-year letterman for the Tigers, Frederic started 25 consecutive games at center in 2003 and 2004. He was a candidate for the Rimington Trophy in 2004, and was selected as the team's offensive lineman of the year both as a junior and a senior. Frederic was a third-team All-Conference USA pick in 2003.

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