Fred Quinn played basketball for the University of Idaho from 1942-47. He led the Vandals to their first 20-win season in 1945-46, when the team’s 23-11 record included a perfect 4-0 mark against border rival Washington State.
That season he led Idaho to a Pacific Coast Conference title as the team’s leading scorer at 9.3 points per game. Quinn was a member of the 1946 All-PCC Team and was twice named to the PCC All-Northern Division Team.
One of the west's most famous basketball players while at Idaho. Quinn started at Idaho in 1939 and after taking time out in the service, returned to lead the Vandals to the PCC basketball championship in the late 40's. Quinn was named to the All-American team in the 45-46 season and had great teammates in Len Pyne, Jack Phoenix, Bob Ryan, Grant Mortensen and Bill Carbaugh. One of his great games included a 24-point scoring effort against the University of Oregon in PCC action. Entering the business world, Quinn was an excellent community leader in Wallace, Idaho where he also was the Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge. Following his move to the Portland, Ore. area he was an officer in the Beaverton Optimist Club and also served as District Secretary for all the Northwest clubs.
He also is a past president of the Portland, Ore. Optimist Club. Keeping his hand in athletics he has been the director of the Babe Ruth baseball program in the Portland, Ore. area, working with more than 1,500 young baseball players in this highly successful program. This year Quinn will complete 22 years of service in the Babe Ruth program and has been cited nationally for his great contribution to the program and his work with the youths in the Portland area. Quinn is presently associated with the Farmers Insurance Co. of Portland, Ore. and resides in Beaverton.