Ty Frank is a sixteen-year-old junior and the quarterback for the varsity football team. Being a football player can have its challenges, like training and school, but Ty believes that it’s good to struggle and learn through mistakes.
Ty Frank has played tackle football since the 5th grade, and enjoys both the competition and social aspects of the game. He also plays baseball during the off season because he enjoys the atmosphere and the skills required to be a good player.
“I didn’t know I was going to be a starting quarterback until, maybe a week, two weeks before school started,” Ty said.
Starting his day with grueling training at 4:00 a.m. and not finishing until 6:00 p.m. every day, Ty pushes his limits during countless drills and sprints. Even on Saturdays, when most would take a break, he commits to post-game lifts and often squeezes in time to play some baseball.
In order to keep up with his classes and his rigorous training schedule for football, Ty frequently stays up late past midnight due to the pile-up from homework and class projects. He often procrastinates, which he says leaves him feeling behind in classes, and it feels difficult to stay focused during the day.
“Success is playing to your best ability, even though failure will come,” Ty said. “As long as you are as good as you will be, then that’s what I define as success.”
Even with his busy schedule and late nights, he finds a way to keep an optimistic mindset. The sense of community he works with, whether it’s with the wide receivers during practices or his coaches, the team helps to make him become the best quarterback he can be help him see the big picture.
The physical side of being the quarterback is not easy, but the mental side can be even more difficult, especially on the field. He consistently makes split-second decisions by reading the defense. Other players look up to him, even if there are times when he receives criticism. He’s learned to tune out the negative thoughts from others, which makes him a better quarterback.
“I visualize each and every play, and I go through all the plays and watch film on the other team, on their defense,” Ty said.
Trust is a big part of Ty’s beliefs because being a good player entails communication and a good work ethic. In the past, he’s struggled with trusting his teammates because they didn’t show good communication or hard work. Over time, that trust has been gained, which is the biggest lesson he has learned.
As Ty learned to open up to those around him, he understood that some people have shaped him to grow as a player. Those individuals who have positively impacted Ty’s life are his baseball coach, Joel Anderson, and his brother, Ross Frank. Their continuous support has helped Ty become a better player and person on and off the field.
Ty’s journey as an athlete is more than football–it’s about perseverance. Success isn’t an easy path for anyone, and Ty proves that by challenging himself and strengthening his character. Each season brings him opportunities and challenges, and he continues to inspire and work hard for his goals and his community.
The Lobos have a playoff game against Fairview on October 31 at 7:00 pm.
