University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire

Whoever coined the phrase "all-around athlete" may have been looking at Frank Wrigglesworth, who has participated in, coached or instructed in at least seven different sports--football, basketball, baseball, golf, skiing (downhill and cross country), swimming and track/jogging. Wrigglesworth was the all-conference quarterback his freshman season as a Blugold. A broken leg cost him his spot as a sophomore, but he came back to play three more seasons. He was a member of two conference championship teams in basketball and part of the first Blugold contingent to perform in Kansas City in 1939. He also played baseball.

Following a brief stint at Washburn High School after his graduation in 1940, Wrigglesworth entered the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1963 as a Lieutenant Colonel. During his military years, most of which were spent as a pilot, he did some coaching at St. Olaf and UW-Madison while he taught in ROTC programs. During 18 months in the reserves, he coached at Edgerton High School. He also coached various Armed Forces teams in Canada, Alaska, California and Korea. Wrigglesworth returned to UWEC in 1964. He spent 11 years as an assistant football coach, two years as an assistant and seven years as head coach in baseball and at the time of his induction had been the Blugold men’s golf coach for 10 years. He retired as a physical education instructor in 1981 but has continued as golf coach. His golf teams have won five conference and district championships and will be participating in the NAIA Nationals for the fifth time later this month (written in May, 1985).