Ed Steitz and Frank Wolcott (1981)

Frank A. Wolcott (class of 1952) is a gymnastics coach at and alumnus of Springfield College. While a student, Wolcott was captain of the Springfield College gymnastics team and a two-time New England champion on the pommel horse and flying rings. He coached at his alma mater for twenty-six years, retiring in 1981. During this time, Springfield gymnasts placed in the top four at the NCAA Nationals eleven times, captured eight individual national titles, and received sixty-two All American awards. After the 1980-1981 academic year, he retired from coaching. However, he continued to direct the Home Show until 1984. Wolcott returned to Springfield College in August 1985 to replace Mary Ellen Olcese as the assistant director of athletics, a position he held until 1996. During this time, he taught Health and Fitness 200. Springfield College hired Dr. Edward S. Steitz (November 7, 1920 - May 21, 1990) as a faculty member in 1948. In 1956, he became the college's director of athletics, a position he held until his death in 1990. During this time, he coached ten consecutive winning seasons and had a composite 210-86 record as the Springfield College Basketball coach. His 1965 team conducted an around-the-world tour for the U.S. State Department and posted a 25-0 record against national teams from ten countries. Steitz is regarded nationally and internationally as one of the world’s foremost athletic administrators. In addition to directing a comprehensive athletic program with twenty-five varsity sports, he is also the world’s number one authority on amateur basketball rules. A native of Beacon, New York, Steitz graduated from Cornell University in 1943 and earned both his Masters and Doctorate degrees from Springfield College.

This photograph shows two Springfield College faculty members: Edward Steitz and Frank Wolcott. Steitz is presenting Wolcott with a plaque that reads, “Frank Wolcott / In recognition of your outstanding contribution to the Springfield College Intercollegiate Program and in particular your excellent leadership in the sport of gymnastics for the past 26 years. / From your fellow coaches / May 11, 1981.”