University of Georgia Athletics
Former Bulldog Jody Friedman Dies In Boating Accident
May 30, 2006 | Baseball
May 30, 2006
ATHENS -- Former University of Georgia pitcher Jody Friedman, a member of the 2001 SEC Championship team that advanced to the College World Series, died in a weekend boating accident in Florida.
Friedman, 28, was a two-year letterman for the Bulldogs from 2000-01. A native of Bradenton, Fla., he earned a speech communications degree from Georgia in 2003. He spent three years playing professional baseball following his Bulldog career. Friedman played his first two collegiate seasons at Manatee Community College before transferring to Georgia. As a Bulldog, he went 3-0 with one save in 2000, appearing in a team-high 25 games. As a senior in 2001, he led the Bulldogs with a 2.76 ERA and was 4-2 with two saves in 19 appearances. He pitched 5.1 innings in the College World Series opener against Southern California. Jody, along with his parents Carl and Carol Friedman, were part of the Bulldog contigent in Omaha when Georgia returned to the College World Series in 2004.
"We were devastated by the news about Jody," said Georgia coach David Perno. "Jody was huge part of the 2001 team that made it to the College World Series, and he and his parents have been very supportive of the program. They were in Omaha in 2004, they have been to Athens several times since Jody's senior year in 2001. They were at Florida this year cheering us on, and they drove up for our Kentucky series. They are great people. We're very sorry for their loss."
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Jody Friedman will be held Thursday, June 1st at the Church of the Cross in Bradenton at 4 p.m. For further information, contact Carl Friedman at (941) 792-8446.
| |
