Huskies' Chico Is The Man -- UW's Fraley On The Rise Again

CHICO FRALEY / bio

Hometown: Rowland Heights, Calif. (Bishop Amat High School)

Position: Inside linebacker

Height, weight: 6-2, 215 pounds

Year: Junior

Status: two-year letterman; starter at right inside linebacker.

----------------------------------------

OK, class, let's take out our pencils and chart a year in the life of Chico Fraley - a year that resembles an out-of-control business cycle featuring a variety of peaks and valleys.

Begin by putting a mark high on the left side of the page. It signifies what Fraley's life was like a year ago, when the University of Washington linebacker was in his second season as a starter even though he only was a sophomore. The past had been good; the future looked bright.

Now, go down a ways and to the right and put another mark. Label it the California game in Berkeley; Oct. 21, 1989, a few days after the earthquake that shook the Bay Area. In the first half of a game the Huskies would win 29-16, Fraley suffered broken ribs, an injury that would sideline him for the balance of the regular season.

Next, go to the right and up a notch - to the Dec. 30 Freedom Bowl game against Florida - and put another mark. This one signals the punt Fraley blocked that Jaime Fields fell on for a touchdown in the Huskies' 34-7 victory.

Up and down, that's how it has been for Fraley. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder is at another peak, coming off an outstanding performance against USC and ranking as the leading tackler for the nation's No. 1 defense against the rush.

Predictably, though, that peak was preceded by a valley, perhaps his deepest.

The euphoria Fraley felt after the blocked punt in the Freedom Bowl game was wiped out eight days later when he and two teammates, Ivory Randle and Dana Hall, were involved in an automobile accident on Lake City Way.

Randle and Hall came out of it in pretty good shape, but Fraley was thrown from the spinning car, knocked unconscious and suffered facial cuts.

The accident left more than scars on his face.

``It opens you up a little bit, telling yourself you've got to live every day, day to day, because you could die at any minute,'' he said. ``I'm still the same person. It didn't change me that much. But it kind of opens your eyes.''

Fraley said he hopes to have cosmetic surgery on his face after the season.

``I got a few scratches on my face,'' Fraley said. ``But I'm still alive. So I guess you could say I was lucky.''

After the accident, Fraley had to spend a week in the hospital because of a high level of amylase, an enzyme involved in changing starch into sugar.

Fraley said it finally was determined that his amylase level is normally high.

Being in the hospital away from home was an experience Fraley didn't enjoy.

``I was kind of scared,'' he said.

Fraley participated in spring practice, where he emerged on the second unit behind Dave Hoffman. That was the situation when preseason practice began in August.

``It was kind of frustrating,'' Fraley said. ``But it was frustrating on my part knowing that it was my fault that I was where I was. I just took the attitude that I had to work hard to get the starting job back.''

Fraley lacked the strength and size his coach, Jim Lambright, believed was needed to play inside linebacker.

``Basically, he needed to stabilize his life,'' Lambright said, ``so he could make some physical changes.''

Then, on Aug. 23, inside linebacker James Clifford, a junior who led the Pac-10 in tackles last season, suffered a knee injury, and Fraley's football life once again changed. Hoffman was moved to Clifford's spot, and Fraley was elevated to the first unit.

Since then, Fraley's stock has soared.

``It is good to know that I'm part of something that's No. 1 in the nation,'' Fraley said. ``I'd like for it to be that way at the end of the year.''

Or even next Sunday, after the Huskies' game against Colorado Saturday in Boulder.

Fraley said he feels good about capitalizing on the opportunity.

``I never lacked confidence that I could do the job,'' Fraley said. ``But I'm not really happy the way it came out. I like James Clifford a lot. I only wish I could be playing with him instead of for him.''

Fraley had an exceptional, eight-tackle game in the Huskies' 31-0 victory over USC last Saturday. ``I feel I played a game that was one of my best,'' he said.

But now it's back to reality - Saturday's game against Colorado, a chance for Fraley to help atone for last year's 45-28 loss to the Buffaloes and a chance to renew an old friendship.

Fraley and Colorado tailback Eric Bieniemy were high-school teammates. They nearly became teammates at Colorado.

``But I kind of wanted to be in the Pac-10,'' Fraley said.

And despite his up-and-down year, Fraley is back playing football, back on the first unit of an undefeated team ranked 12th in the nation.

So, take your pencil and go over to the right side and make a mark. And make it the highest mark on the page.

Notes

-- Outside linebacker Jaime Fields has not recovered from a sprained ankle suffered at Purdue Sept. 15 and will not accompany the team to Colorado.

-- Two players survived battles for starting berths. James said Dana Hall still is ahead of William Doctor at cornerback and John Cook is ahead of Tyrone Rodgers at middle guard.

-- James said freshman Travis Hanson will kick off Saturday, an indication that he beat out Billy Joe Hobert for the job. Mike Dodd will continue to kick field goals.

-- Saturday's game is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. (Seattle time). It will not be televised.