Naman Shrestha
In HBO’s ‘Surviving Ohio State,’ the primary focus is on the allegations of sexual abuse against Dr. Richard Strauss, who was the faculty physician of the Ohio State University for a couple of decades. According to the documentary, the doctor allegedly abused several wrestlers and other athletes in his university office. Based on Jon Wertheim’s report titled ‘Why Aren’t More People Talking About the Ohio State Sex Abuse Scandal?’, it also features a popular wrestling referee named Frederick Feeney, who claims he was also abused by Strauss. According to Frederick, he was joined in the shower by the doctor after the former had officiated a wrestling match on the campus.
Frederick Has Dabbled in Multiple Professions in His Career
Frederick Feeney attended the Ohio State University and Northwest Missouri State University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Sales Management and Marketing in 1977. Apart from his ties to USA Wrestling, NCAA Wrestling, and OHSAA Wrestling for more than three decades, he has also had a career in various fields. Besides serving as the Director of Sales at Fore Testing Laboratories and Axiom Marketing Communications, he was also the National Sales Manager at Ohio Steel Industries from 1997 to 2009. For a while, he also joined Purple Turtle Consulting, where he was employed as a Chief Consultant. In 2016, Frederick landed a job at American Apex Corporation, where he served as the Director of Worldwide Sales.
Between 2022 and 2024, he was associated with Jack Florence Pool in Delaware, Ohio, and Wedgewood Golf and Country Club, working as the Aquatics Director and Pool Manager, respectively. Since July 2024, he has been a Member of the Board of Directors at Safe Harbor. He also has extensive experience as a Red Cross CPR Instructor, Lifeguard Instructor, and First Aid Instructor. Even though he has retired from refereeing, he continues to be involved in the world of wrestling. He founded the Mid-State Wrestling Officials Association (MSWOA), where he reportedly serves as the head evaluator and rules interpreter.
Moreover, Frederick also had ties with the Ohio Capital Conference and the Central District Wrestling Association (CDWOA). In 2019, he was inducted into the Ohio Wrestling Officials Hall of Fame, thanks to his successful decades-long refereeing career. The following year, Frederick became the Mountain East Conference’s Supervisor of Officials, making him responsible for selecting and evaluating the officials for the matches hosted by MEC member schools. Apart from being the host of the cable television show, ‘Matside,’ he also makes an appearance in the 2014 film ‘Foxcatcher,’ wherein he dons his refereeing kit again. Over the years, he has also imparted his knowledge of refereeing by writing multiple articles about his personal officiating experiences.
Frederick Gets His Strength From the Love and Support of His Wife, Kids, and Friends
In the summer of 1999, Frederick Feeney suffered a huge loss when his wife, Andrea, passed away after losing her battle to pancreatic cancer. During the course of their marriage, the couple gave birth to two children — Thomas and Michelle Feeney. While Andrea’s passing rocked the very foundation of the lives of Frederick and their kids, they gradually found a way to move forward by honoring her life and keeping her memory alive in their hearts. A few years later, he gave love another chance and began dating a woman named Marge. As the romantic sparks between them only got brighter, they tied the knot in the summer of 2004 in the presence of their family and friends. Over two decades, the pair has endured several ups and downs hand in hand. Through it all, they have grown stronger and created a fulfilling life for themselves in Dublin, Ohio.
Now grown up with the family and kids of their own, Thomas and Michelle Feeney still maintain a close-knit bond with Frederick. Besides being a doting father, he is also a loving grandfather to Brenner, the son of Thomas. A nature lover at heart, Frederick has a soft corner in his heart for animals, especially cats. In his free time, he can be spotted playing golf with his friends or simply hanging out with them. In July 2024, he and Marge traveled to Colorado, where they visited Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, among other sites. “We also took the ski lift ride there and then went to The Olympic Training Center,” he said.
Being avid travelers, Frederick and Marge embarked on a vacation to multiple states in June 2025. Their journey included a road trip from Spokane, Washington, to Billings, Montana. The couple also stopped by Deadwood, South Dakota, where they visited the famous spot where Wild Bill was shot. As part of their trip, they explored the arid terrains of Badlands National Park before stopping by the Fort Meade Museum. Thus, from what we can tell, Frederick Feeney is leading a life of joy that he has built with the love of his life. He also deeply cherishes the company of his loving family and friends.
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