Volunteer Spotlight: Leigh Frishman

It started in a garage. Not with fanfare or a grand plan, but with a belief that students deserved a place to build, learn, and discover what they were capable of. For Leigh Frishman, that belief turned into years of opening doors for young people across Texas and showing up wherever he was needed most.

Leigh first connected with FIRST at the Alamo Regional in 2007 when his oldest son joined FRC Team 647, the Cyberwolves. What began as supporting his child quickly became a deeper commitment to the community. Over time, Leigh stepped into roles across FIRST Robotics Competition and FIRST Tech Challenge, serving as Field Supervisor, Lead Queuer, Pit Admin, Emcee, Game Announcer, Judge, and more, always ready to help create a great experience for teams and volunteers alike!

Determined to make robotics accessible to more students, Leigh helped launch Team 3999, Shadetree Robotics, a community-based team that operated out of his garage and welcomed students from as far as 50 miles away. The long nights, fundraising efforts, and build season challenges were all part of creating a space where students could belong.

One of the moments that stands out most came in 2012, when Team 3999 earned the Rookie All Star Award at the Alamo Regional and advanced to the FIRST Championship in St. Louis. In 2015, Leigh was recognized as a Woodie Flowers Finalist, honoring his mentorship and lasting impact. Seeing former students step into leadership roles continues to be one of the most meaningful rewards.

For Leigh, volunteering is about more than running events. It is about community, relationships, and the shared excitement of watching students grow. Today, volunteering also brings family full circle as he serves as a Field Supervisor while his son volunteers alongside him as a Game Announcer and Emcee, creating memories while giving back together.

Through quiet leadership and a willingness to serve, Leigh has helped shape experiences that extend far beyond the competition field, strengthening the FIRST in Texas community and inspiring the next generation of innovators!