he Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table will be inducting seven new members into its Hall of Fame on Monday, Sept. 15, at 5:30 p.m. The Induction Class of 2025 includes five athletes, a coach and a special achievement honoree.
This is the third in a series of stories about this year’s inductees.
To purchase tickets to the Hall of Fame event at the Cabrillo Pavilion, click here.
From Peabody Stadium to the Los Angeles Coliseum, Santa Barbara football legend Mike Fryer lit up the gridiron in the Olive and Gold and Blue and Gold.
Fryer, a member of the Santa Barbara High class of 1970, was a standout for the Dons in football, baseball and track & field.
While he truly shined on the football field as a wide receiver and All-Channel League Defensive Back, he was also a three-year starter on the diamond. He was a shortstop and a pitcher.
His two-way stardom for the Santa Barbara High football team also earned him a spot on the Santa Barbara County All-Star Game.
After graduating from Santa Barbara High, Fryer continued his academic and athletic careers in town at Santa Barbara City College.
He began his Vaquero career at wide receiver for the 1970 season before making the switch to free safety in 1971 to fill a void left by a graduating player.
Fryer filled the void and then some, hauling in 11 interceptions in the 1971 season to set a new program record and finish tied for first in the nation in that category.
As a result, he was named the SBCC and Western States Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a First Team All-State player and an honorable mention JC Gridwire All-American selection.
On top of his duties at receiver and free safety, Fryer served as the Vaquero punter for both seasons and held the single-season punting average record for 10 seasons. His all-around efforts helped the team to two Western States Conference titles and playoff appearances.
His individual achievements, coupled with the team’s success during his tenure as a Vaquero, led to him being inducted into the Santa Barbara City College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2024.
His eye-popping 1971 season earned Fryer plenty of recruiting interest, and he decided to head south and attend UCLA on a full scholarship to play free safety and punter.
The Bruins were a nationally ranked program when he played in 1972 and 1973, going 17-5 across the two seasons while picking up several marquee wins along the way.
One of those wins was Fryer’s proudest moment as an athlete, as he and the Bruins upset two-time defending national champion Nebraska with a 20-17 win on a game-winning field goal in the Coliseum. The UCLA win snapped a 33-game unbeaten streak for Nebraska.
He also earned himself the Defensive Game Ball in 1973 thanks to his standout play in a 24-13 victory over Washington State.
After his playing career at UCLA came to a close, he served as a graduate assistant coach under Dick Vermeil for the 1974 season. He then signed as a free agent for the Los Angeles Rams for the 1975 and 1976 seasons before hanging up his cleats.
Fryer is now retired following a 40-year career with Penske Leasing, one of the top transportation services companies in the country.
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