Frank Anderson established the football and baseball programs at Oglethorpe in 1917. He coached the football team for only the first two seasons, but remained head baseball coach until 1944. He also served as Oglethorpe director of athletics. He is often referred to as the Dean of Southern Baseball Coaches and the father of Oglethorpe athletics.
Anderson was born June 16
th, 1882, in Powder Springs, Georgia but grew up in Douglasville, Georgia. He graduated from the University of Georgia, where he was a two-time all-conference second baseman and team captain on the baseball team, and played the backfield for their football team.
Anderson came to Oglethorpe after coaching his alma mater’s team to two Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships. The Stormy Petrels won their first conference title in 1924, posting a 20-2 record. Â
After 27 seasons, Anderson’s record at Oglethorpe was 296–210–14, a .575 winning percentage. Anderson coached several players who went on to major league baseball: Luke Appling, L. N. Turk, Clay Parrish, Greek George, and Lefty Willis.
Oglethorpe’s Anderson Field was dedicated on May 11th, 1963, which he was present for. Frank Anderson passed away at age 84 on November 8th, 1966. He has also been inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and the Cobb County Baseball Hall of Fame. Â
