Frank Kline - Legacy 2002

Frank Kline came to Ann Arbor in the fall of 1946 as a teacher of math. Before coming to Ann Arbor, Frank was a semi-finalist in the 1936 Olympic Trials, finishing third behind Jessie Owens. The superintendent of the school district appointed Frank as the head wrestling coach, the first wrestling match he ever saw was the one he coached.  He learned wrestling techniques from reading a textbook.

 

The wrestling team won the state championship in 1949 and 1950.  He also began the Novice Wrestling Invitational, which still exists today. Frank was instrumental in the creation of the wrestling state championships.

 

Frank also coached football and baseball during his tenure.  In the spring of 1950 Frank became an assistant to Lou Hollway and was placed in charge of the City recreation program.  The athletic department and the recreation department split in 1955.  Frank stayed with the school and worked with Lou Hollway in athletics and became the athletic director when Lou retired in 1962.  Frank was elected as the president of the MAD PEAS in 1966-67, which later became the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administration Association.