Patricia Frederick, a middle aged mother from Blandinsville is a winner anyway you look at it, although she missed her attempt to win $1 Million Dollars yesterday (Tuesday) on the Regis and Kelly Show in New York City.
The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Patricia Frederick, a middle aged mother from Blandinsville is a winner anyway you look at it, although she missed her attempt to win $1 Million Dollars yesterday (Tuesday) on the Regis and Kelly Show in New York City.
She still came home with a $5,000 check which she was guaranteed when her name was pulled from a random drawing in a sweepstakes put on by MET-Rx, a leader in sports nutrition supplements.
In talking with Pat over the phone, before her kick, she said her legs were pretty cramped from all of the practicing with her coach, World Cup Champion, Julie Foudy, who has been a member of the US Soccer team for 12 years and won the World Cup 4 years ago-one of the Captains.
" I felt like I have improved a lot and am getting some heighth to my kick," she said. "I switched to my left foot since I am left-handed and I think that helped."
Then Julie took her shopping for a new pair of shoes with thinner soles.
"I picked a black pair of Reboks," she said, "and I got pink shoe laces, my favorite color. I think I am ready," she said.
Before the drawing, Pat had never kicked a soccer ball.
"In the hotel room we were wadding up paper balls and practicing kicking. My coach was working with everything.
She gave me tips on using my toes.
"I like soccer," she said. I think I will continue playing it when I get home."
Pat was being accompanied by a friend who grew up in La Harpe and now lives in Blandinsville, Jeannie Benham.
They were flown by round trip ticket to New York, picked up by a Limo, and given a $200 a day allowance. They were also given first class accommodations in the Rihga Royal Hotel where guests of Regis and Kelley stay.
Pat received notice that she had won the drawing by overnight mail on Thursday, October 30th, but wasn't sure at first if it was true.
She took the notice to her work at Bridgeway Macomb to show her boss, who thought it was true. On November 13th, Regis and Kelly phoned to notify her that she would be coming to New York to be on their show Nov. 17 and 18, and attempt the kick
Based on the rules, Frederick had one shot from 12 yards out at a goal that featured three 24-inch openings worth $10,000, $25,000, and $100,000, and a 19-inch opening worth $1Million.
"First, win or loose, I am going to tithe to The Abundant Life Church in La Harpe. After that," she says it is going on bills, surgery for my cat, and a cage for Buffy her beautiful white rat with pink eyes.
"Our church has also talked about starting a Food Pantry," she said. "I might try to help with that.
After the shot, Pat called with a little less enthusiasm and said her leg was sore from too much practicing.
She enjoyed the people, but was nervous about being in front of a live crowd and television audience.
"I've had fun," she said, but I am not a celebrity, I'm just me. I'll be back to work on Monday."
Pat is formerly from Alabama and has a 21-year old son there.
Left to right) Marshall Post, senior vice president marketing for MET-Rx presents a $5,000 check to Pat Frederick of Blandinsville, Million Dollar Goal sweepstakes winner; and Julie Foudy, US Women's World Cup captain who spent Monday evening and Tuesday morning coaching Pat in soccer kicking skills. Pat had never kicked a soccer ball and said, she was alway picked last when chosen for sports teams.