A graduate of Isaac Newton High School, Fred played for the Winnipeg Light Infantry (W.L.I.) from 1950 thru 1953. A prolific scorer, Fred was a keystone to W.L.I winning Canadian Junior Championships in 1952 and 1953.

From the fall of 1953 thru 1956, Fred played on a basketball scholarship for the Montana State "Bobcats". Continuing his prolific scoring, he was a perennial All-Conference All-Star and selected the Outstanding Player in his graduating year. In 1954, 1955, and 1956, the "Bobcats" won the N.I.A.A. District Championship.

Returning to Canada, Fred played senior men's basketball. Because of his outstanding play, he represented in Canada at both the 1960 Rome Olympics and the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and the 1967 Pan Am Games.