By ADAM DAVIS
The Greenville (S.C.) News

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Thinking ahead a few decades, Rob Rindock has an image of his suddenly famous friend, University of South Carolina receiver Tim Frisby.

"I joke with him," said Rindock, a friend since both men were young boys. "He's gonna be 80 years old, and he's gonna be in his wheelchair, and he's gonna be figuring out a way to make it to the NBA or the NFL."

Throughout his life, a quixotic spirit has guided Frisby, telling him determination can conquer any challenge. But unlike the fictional Don Quixote, Frisby has faced genuine obstacles, and he has shown that the impossible dream can be realized.

For Frisby, simply joining the Army was not good enough. He became a Ranger, and he joined the elite 82nd Airborne paratrooper team. Simply starting a family was not good enough. Frisby and his wife, Anna, have six children. And, deferring one dream in pursuit of another was not good enough.

After 20 years in the Army, Frisby did what he always knew he would do. He played college football. At age 39, Frisby made the Gamecocks' team as a walk-on, becoming college football's oldest freshman.

A man who entered the NBA draft in 1996, even though he never played college basketball, Frisby is proving that a creative vision can build a remarkable reality.

"Don't ever tell somebody what they can't do," Frisby said. "I don't have that in my vocabulary. You can do something if you want to do it; that's how I feel."

More than a dream

Frisby does not use the word "dream" regarding his desire to play college sports. That word is too intangible.

Throughout his military career, Frisby believed he would play college football or basketball. He even studied NCAA rules to make sure he would be eligible.

"If (the NCAA) had said, 'You can only be 25 or 27' or whatever it would be, I would probably have made the decision then that, 'OK, it'll be time to get out (of the Army),' " Frisby said.

Out of high school, he was offered a basketball scholarship by Tennessee State University. But several factors pushed him into the military, Frisby said.

He saw the positive effect military life had on some of his friends. He felt that he needed greater maturity before entering college. He also had a child from a previous relationship, and he wanted to help financially.

"The military thing was only supposed to be for one enlistment," said Anna, who met and married Frisby during his first three-year tour at Fort Jackson, S.C. "Then he was planning on returning to college, but things happened, life went on. But I don't think he really let go of that dream, or that aspiration, to play college sports."

Early determination

On his left wrist, Frisby wears a yellow "Live Strong" bracelet, the ones pioneered by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong. For Frisby, it is personal.

His father died of cancer when Frisby was 2 years old. Frisby does not remember much about his father, but he wants to honor his father's legacy.

Frisby's mother, Caroline, raised five boys - Frisby is the second-youngest. Still, he does not feel that he missed out on anything while growing up in Allentown, Pa.

"(My mother) did so well, always spending time, that we really didn't notice that somebody was missing," Frisby said. "She was just really that good and giving of herself."

As a child, Frisby built the foundation that led him to where he is today, willing to stare down any challenge. Caroline Frisby said young Tim was "a real go-getter," always trying different activities.

"I taught them from little on up to pursue what you want to do," his mother said. "Do the best you can, and if you can do it, fine. And if you can't, at least you tried."

Rindock, now automotive sales manager for the Allentown Morning Call, recalls talking with Frisby for hours about sports when they were young. What struck Rindock was that when they discussed the pros, Frisby "talked like he was in the league."

"He was just convinced," Rindock said. "He had determination like I haven't seen."

A 20-year soldier

Frisby carried that determination into the Army, and after three years, he re-enlisted when offered the chance to go to Germany. Each time he had a chance to leave the Army, Frisby came back.

Eventually, he set the goal of staying in for 20 years. At that point, which came earlier this year, Frisby could retire and receive half-pay for life.

In Germany, Frisby served during the first Gulf War, guarding the base against terrorist attacks. Later in 1991, he went through Ranger training, and then joined the 82nd Airborne in North Carolina.

Frisby spent three months in conditions designed to make him suffer - in the mountains, in the desert, in the jungle. Sometimes, he had to make a day's worth of food last a week.

"It was something I was told, 'There's no way you can do this. It's the top infantry school, you can't do it,' " Frisby said. "So it was kind of a challenge."

Anna said she went through several nervous evenings when Frisby was called away for jumps.

"I hated those jumps," she said. "That was murder, sitting around waiting, making sure everything was OK."

In 1995, Frisby moved to the Pentagon for three years, where he worked under the secretary of the Army. In 1998, he returned to Europe as part of an airborne unit based in Italy. There, he was part of a communications support team during the Kosovo conflict. Finally, in 2001, Frisby came full circle and finished his career at Fort Jackson.

Scolding, embracing

During all of these travels, the Frisby family grew. Timothy, now 16, came first; followed by Brittany, 14; Isiah, 8; Jalen, 6; Nia, 3; and Tai, 8 months.

Frisby said Army training helped him to handle the commotion, because he knew how to organize his life. Anna said Frisby has been an outstanding father, able to "scold with one hand and embrace with the other." She also said he handles difficult situations well.

When Timothy was young, the family dog chased a cat and dragged Timothy along, driving him into a curb. Frisby "just scooped him up" and took him to the hospital, Anna said.

"While I was on the side boo-hooing, he was holding my son's hand, talking him through the whole thing," Anna said.

Anna also said Frisby has passed his mother's integrity down to their children.

Frisby talks about his children with the same pride that he talks about his own achievements. Timothy plans to play basketball for Spring Valley High School. Brittany wants to be a pediatrician.

"It amazes me, with all of the things he has done in his background, how good he is with these kids," Caroline Frisby said. "They come here to visit, and I get all upset about spilled milk and things like that, but not Timmy. 'That's all right; we'll take care of it.'

"He'll hold them; he'll play with them; he'll read them stories. He sees that they get what they need for their schooling."

'Pops' joins Gamecocks

In the fall of 2002, with the end of his military career in sight, Frisby enrolled at South Carolina as a part-time student. He now carries a 3.8 grade-point average in broadcast journalism, and he will be a junior academically after this semester.

While going to school part time, Frisby wrote USC coach Lou Holtz and Penn State coach Joe Paterno, both of whom said they would grant him a tryout. Frisby chose USC, enrolling full time after being discharged from the Army.

Frisby made the team, and on Sept. 25 against Troy, got into a game. USC, leading 17-7, did not throw the ball while he was in.

"It was great (being out there)," he said. "The fans were great, and it was just a great feeling."

For a while during spring practice, Frisby's teammates did not know he was 39. He looks younger, and he dresses younger.

"He's got the slang with us; he hangs with us; he eats with us," running back Cory Boyd said. "He's just like one of us."

The players treat Frisby like they would any other teammate - with friendly harassment. Offensive lineman Na'Shan Goddard said one player drew a picture of Frisby on the chalkboard, with a helmet in one hand and a cane in the other.

Receivers coach Rick Stockstill gave Frisby the nickname "Pops," which has stuck. Stockstill said his initial reaction after learning Frisby's age was, "Why are you doing this to yourself?" But he understood better after hearing Frisby's story.

Stockstill said Frisby is working hard to improve, and he does everything his teammates do.

"We've got to give him his Geritol breaks," Stockstill said with a laugh. "No, he hasn't asked for any special treatment, nor has he gotten any."

The national spotlight

Frisby also can make fun of his age, and his story has allowed him to do so on a national stage.

Interviewed on "Late Show with David Letterman," Frisby joked that the NCAA took a while to grant his eligibility because it had to find his high school records "on stone tablets."

Frisby also has appeared on "The Today Show," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," and just about everything in between. He has been featured in leading newspapers such as The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times.

"I figured (the story) would be local or something, but to this level, no. It's unreal," he said.

Though a little overwhelmed, Frisby said he has enjoyed the attention for the most part. He said a few people have accused him of playing football as a publicity stunt, but he insists they are wrong.

Several movie studios have called, wanting to tell Frisby's story. A representative from Paramount even came to his door. Frisby said he cannot do a movie project now, because he would lose his NCAA eligibility.

Frisby's family and friends said they are surprised by the attention, but they believe he deserves it. Rindock called Frisby's life a "feel-good story."

"If you look at it," USC kicker Josh Brown said, "it's one of those stories that you can't believe.

Looking for completion

Even as Frisby's story is told and retold, he is writing new chapters. He expects to graduate after the fall of 2006, which would give him two more years to play football. He is not sure whether he will go to graduate school.

Frisby hopes to go into broadcasting, and he is making contacts as his life story spreads. There also is a small possibility Frisby could be recalled to the military and sent to Iraq, though he said it is unlikely.

In the meantime, Frisby has a more basic goal to meet. He would really like to catch a pass in a game. Caroline Frisby said her son needs that moment to feel that this amazing adventure has been a success.

Frisby said that, if given the chance, he will come through. After all these years of believing in himself, he is not about to stop.

"I wouldn't say it will be a total loss or anything like that (if I don't catch a pass), because I love playing, I love my teammates, I love the university," Frisby said. "But I'd feel complete if I made some catches."