News Details

The West Irondequoit Central School District, along with its Board of Education, is excited to announce that Irondequoit High School’s gymnasium will be renamed in honor of former WICSD Director of Physical Education and Athletics, Mr. Dennis “Denny” Fries, one of the foremost athletic administrators in Section V and state history. The formal dedication ceremony will happen at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22^nd in the “Denny Fries Gymnasium.” It will start at the conclusion of a 4 p.m. Unified Basketball Blue & Gold Scrimmage. A reception will follow in the IHS Large Cafeteria.

Mr. Fries worked for 39 years in West Irondequoit, the first 13 as a Physical Education teacher and Assistant Athletic Director (and coach), and the last 26 as the Director of Physical Education and Athletics. He retired from the WICSD in 2006 but stayed very active in various roles for another 17 years in Monroe County, state and national organizations, extending his profound and wide-reaching impact into a sixth decade.

“Few administrators have ever done or will ever do what Mr. Fries accomplished in his long, distinguished and impactful career,” said WICSD Superintendent of Schools, Aaron Johnson. “We were so lucky he chose to call West Irondequoit home and so grateful for his forward-thinking vision and tireless work.”

Mr. Fries, 79, and his wife of 55 years, Kathy, relocated to Virginia in 2023 to be closer to family. They have four adult children (all IHS graduates) – David (Class of 1989), Mark (’91), Chris (’96) and Julie-Lynn Fries Jones (’98) – and 11 grandchildren. Mark’s wife, Marlo, also was in the Class of 1991, and Mr. Fries’ wife is an IHS graduate, too.

“To say the least, I am extremely humbled and appreciative to be afforded this great recognition,” said Mr. Fries, adding he became so emotional as Johnson told him the news that he had to pull over to the side of the road. “I had the privilege of working with many outstanding students, parents and guardians, colleagues and friends. I can’t remember a day when I did not look forward to coming to school. I found each day to be exciting and different in many good ways.”

West Irondequoit Foundation members, President John Loury and Patrick McCue, wrote a formal proposal for the district to consider renaming the gym to honor Fries. The Foundation also pledged to pay for the new sign outside the gym. Dr. McCue is a former IHS Principal who worked with Fries.

Long before the sports world was talking about concussions, Mr. Fries (pronounced Freeze) started the first concussion management program locally in 2005. It became the foundation for the 2011 NYS Concussion Management Law. He also introduced and championed Unified Sports programs in Monroe County and helped the New York State Public High School Athletic Association develop its programming statewide. Unified Sports combines students with various disabilities with peer “partners” to form teams and compete against other schools – just like its other athletic teams. “The first meeting we had about it (in 2013),” Fries recalled, “14 (Monroe County) schools signed up on the spot.”

A native of Arcade, southeast of Buffalo, and 1967 graduate of SUNY Cortland, Mr. Fries earned Master’s degrees in education and educational administration and two administrative certificates from SUNY Brockport. He became a Certified Master Athletic Administrator in 2012. He is a member of seven Halls of Fame, including the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, NYS Athletic Administrators, NYSPHSAA, Section V and SUNY Cortland “C” Club. A 2017 inductee to the Frontier Field Walk of Fame, Mr. Fries was honored in 2012 with the Ellis H. Champlin Award – the most prestigious honor by the NYS Council of Physical Education Directors Association. In 2003, he won a Citation Award from the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS).

Mr. Fries joined Operation Offense in 1988 and has continued as the Executive Director of this nationally recognized student-athlete centered chemical health, wellness and leadership program. He also served as an officer and in various roles for dozens of organizations, including the Monroe County Public School Athletic Conference, and helped launch and maintain various websites over the years. He led workshops and chaired committees, volunteering his time to help others. In a very profound way, Mr. Fries was a caretaker of school-based athletics in the Rochester area and statewide for decades.

“Thanks to the support of our administrative team, IHS set many milestones over the years,” Mr. Fries said. “Believe it or not, the guidance department and the athletic office shared the first computer in school history; IHS fielded the first JV/Varsity boys volleyball team and girls lacrosse teams in Section V; we fielded the first field hockey team to join Section V in 25 years and had the first athletic trainer – not only in Section V – but one of the first in the state.

“I thank all involved in my career and with this honor.”

Congratulations, Denny!