FERNANDO V. "FREDDIE" TRONCOSO

July 19, 1933-

ARCHERY COACH-TECHNICIAN

Born in Los Angeles, as a Youngster "Freddie" became fascinated with archery from watching the early Howard Hill. short movies on archery. This early interest in archery has stayed with "Freddie" from his early success in tournaments and hunting to his acknowledged expertise as an "archery technician" to a successful manufacturer of archery accessories.

Fred Troncoso was first given his nickname by Roy Hoff (archery legend and owner of Archery magazine) and to this day is known to countless archers as "Freddie".

Fred shot his first tournament at the age of 10 and shot his first deer at age 12. Originally a professional musician by trade Fred became a very successful tournament archer, winning many local and major tournaments. One of the first to develop and use "rope" releases, Fred was one of the first to prove a "release" shooter could out perform a "finger" shooter. A back injury sustained while working as a police officer in 1965 limited Fred's ability to shoot a bow, however it did not curtail his interest and life long enthusiasm for archery.

In 1961 Fred began making "double-loop" releases and plastic arrow rests. This early start, encouraged by Roy Hoff, has grown into a very successful company. The name "Golden Key" is known internationally as a major supplier of archery accessories. A self-acknowledged "tinker" Fred holds, totally or partially, over two dozen patents on archery equipment.

In 1970, again at the urging of Roy Hoff, "Freddie" wrote his first article for Archery magazine on the technical aspects of archery, a project he has continued into the 1990's. It is through his article "Answers" Fred Troncoso has given much back to archery. Throuqh his column Fred has helped countless archers solve their shooting problems and improve their shooting ability. A successful archery coach "Freddie" has coached many archers that became State, National, World and Olympic champions, not the least of which was his wife Eva.

A gracious gentleman, "Freddie" Troncoso is a life long supporter of archery in all forms and tries to give back to the sport by way of helping others to improve their shooting ability.

"Freddie" Troncoso-gentleman, archery technician, coach and enthusiastic archery supporter.

Inducted 1992