Heidelberg Athletics Hall of Fame
Frank Bates, a 1961 graduate of Heidelberg College, was a three-year letter winner in football and also ran track for two years for the Student Princes.
In 1956 he was named a Little All- American and was honored by Sports Football Digest that same year. He was first team all-conference in 1957 and 1960 and earned second team honors in 1958 for his defensive play.
His roommate at Heidelberg College was another member of the Athletic Hall of Fame, Anthony Less, and they played under the legendary, Paul "The Fox" Hoernemann. Born in Martins Ferry, Bates graduated from Wellston High School in 1955 and was honorable mention All-Ohio in 1955.
Following graduation from Heidelberg College he entered the coaching ranks and had his finest hour in 1968 when he guided Bethel-Tate High School to an unbeaten season and was named Coach of the Year.
Prior to going to Bethel-Tate, he began his coaching career at Paint Valley High School in Bainbridge as an assistant coach and junior high basketball coach.
In 1962 he took over as head football and track coach at Ansonia High School and remained there until 1965 when he began his outstanding coaching for the next seven years at Bethel-Tate in Bethel.
Finishing unbeaten in 1968, the city went wild over Bates and honored him with a Frank Bates Day as he received the key to the city following a parade held in his honor.
The unbeaten season was a tribute to Bates, who patiently rebuilt the program with respected discipline and a physical conditioning program for three years.
It was noted in the local paper, "To be the best takes 'something extra' and coach Frank Bates has brought that 'something extra' to the team and to the school by an example of total dedication.'"
But in 1972 it was time to move on again for Bates as he became the head football, wrestling and tennis coach at Western Brown High School in Mount Orab.
His success continued at Western Brown where he also became the athletic director while teaching health and serving as the physical education director and student activities director.
In 1982 he was nominated for Southwestern Athletic Director and in 1985 was made a Kentucky Colonel.
Bates also helped build and organize the outdoor athletic complex at Western Brown and was an active member of local and state athletic directors' association, helping to organize the state athletic directors' meeting in 1988.
From high school to college and back to high school as a coach, the word successful has followed Frank Bates throughout the years.
(This profile appeared in the 1996 Hall of Fame Banquet program.)
