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Tyler Frisby signs to play baseball at Corban University
- Klas Stolpe
- May 22
- 5 min read
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior to earn a spot with the Warriors
By Klas Stolpe
Juneau Independent
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears senior Tyler Frisby signed a letter of intent Wednesday to attend Corban University in Salem, Oregon, and play baseball for the Warriors.
“They offered me a really good scholarship and it is pretty close to home,” Frisby said. “And I like Oregon, so, yeah. I took a visit to the college a couple weeks ago and I really enjoyed it.”
Corban University competes within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC). Unlike the NCAA, which separates schools into Divisions I, II and III, the NAIA organizes baseball as one unified division nationwide — meaning the competition can be just as high as upper NCAA programs.
“I came across Tyler's FieldLevel recruiting page and his speed instantly jumped off the page,” Corban University assistant coach Drew DeMasi said. “Contacts with Tyler have been great. A good kid that also has a caring mother, who was great to talk with as well.”
Frisby will fit nicely onto Warrior Field.
“Tyler has the athleticism to instantly make an impact on our varsity team,” DeMasi said. “As long as the transition to college goes smoothly and he keeps growing every day, we are hoping great things, both on the field and to continue to develop his relationship with Jesus Christ.”
DeMasi said high school athletes coming into college have to “buy in. The culture may be different than it was in high school, but as long as you are where your feet are, and continue to trust in God's plan, college is easy.”
Corban University is expecting to see Frisby continue to progress.
“The hit tool is something we wish to grow with Tyler, as we know he will see better pitching in college,” DeMasi said. “Continuing to grow stronger in the weight room and growing more athletic will help him accomplish his goals on the field. Our emphasis, however, is growing Tyler, and all of our recruits, as better humans. If Tyler can leave us with the tools to bring Christ into his home then that is the biggest win we could have. We expect our players to show up and give their best every day. Bringing their best attitude, effort, but most importantly friendship to the guys they will be spending with every day. Our goal for our players is to exhibit that we play the game as Christians. Each game is a blessing and an opportunity to show what God gave you.”
Frisby had a chance on his college visit to hit with the team.
“They are all really nice,” Frisby said. “And I got to talk with all the coaches and everybody there. I was hitting, maybe they let me hit (laughs). But yeah, I was hitting. I could see the difference between college and high school; there is a big difference. Everything was more serious, more organized and everything. And all of the players were bigger.”
Frisby’s good friend and JDHS teammate Nate Fick had taken recruiting visits, committing to Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, Washington) earlier this season, and advised Frisby to talk to the Corban coaches.
“I emailed all of them two or three times, and they finally got back to me,” Frisby said. “We hopped on a phone call and I really liked the conversation so we took a visit. I need to gain a few pounds, I am not there yet physically. I have gained a lot of weight since my sophomore and junior year, but I probably need a couple more pounds. Maybe a little more bat speed and just the mentality. Everything is going to be faster down there.”
Frisby plans to major in business administration.
“Oh my god, this is amazing,” his mother, Melissa Kookesh, said. “I can’t believe it happened because we went on a college tour and I thought he wouldn’t pick any of the schools. This one was actually my first choice. I think Tyler is really excited about it because now he gets to go play baseball and I feel like that is what he has been talking about for a couple years now. I am so thankful that it happened.”
She said his love of the sport started in the Gastineau Channel Little League.
“I don’t remember the age, but it was when Jake (Carte), Nick Nelson and Tyson Fick were all his coaches,” Kookesh said. “And he just absolutely loved it and didn’t stop. He was always wanting new bats every year. He hit his first home run last summer and then he has two this year so far, so it is exciting.”
That home run ball was displayed at his signing. It features the signatures of all his teammates and coaches from his summer league Seattle Wave club that witnessed the shot.
Frisby has used both his legal name and his Tlingit name this season.
The family name Kookesh is taken from a Tlingit word that means the motion a dog salmon makes to dig out a stream bed where it lays eggs.
“When the government was giving out non-Native names, my grandfather in Angoon did not take one,” Melissa Kookesh said. “He kept the Tlingit name but changed it a little bit so my Mexican grandmother could pronounce it and so changed it to Kookesh.”
Tyler Frisby noted that significance as he approaches the legal age to change his given name.
“Being able to go by the name Kookesh means a lot to me because I am able to represent my mom,” he said. “She has done everything for me and the rest of my family who have the same name as well.”
He also thanked his family, friends and coaches for his time in Juneau.
• Contact Klas Stolpe at sports@juneauindependent.com
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