Colorado State University Athletics

Colorado State Athletics Hall of Fame

Virgina  Frank
Virgina Frank
  • Induction:
    1994
Women’s Athletics Coach (1950 to 1965)

Virginia Frank is credited with the formation of modern women’s athletics at Colorado State University. A native of Wisconsin, Virginia Frank came to Colorado A&M to assist long-time women’s athletic director Elizabeth Forbes coaching the women of the school in intramural athletics. By 1959, Forbes had retired and Frank helped to form the first women’s track team for intercollegiate competition. She continued to coach field hockey, basketball, softball, volleyball and tennis for intramural play, but championed for women to compete against other schools and at the national level. She also coached the men’s soccer team for two seasons.

Virginia Fran-Olson was the chairperson of Olympic Track and Field for the Rocky Mountain Region from 1957 to 1965 and took the first CSU women track athletes to a national championship meet in Detroit in 1959. In 1976, CSU named the Virginia K. Frank Award in her honor, given to the most outstanding female athlete each year. Virginia Frank-Olson passed away on March 15, 2016 at the age of 89.
 
Other Accomplishments:
  • Outstanding Professor Award (1963)
  • Women’s Softball and Track National Rules Committee (1954)
  • Olympic Coaching Delegate (Javelin)
  • Amateur skier and softball champion
Virginia Frank 1956
Virginia Frank (R) with Director of Women's Athletics Elizabeth Forbes - 1956
Virginia Frank
Virginia Frank
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Director of Athletics John Weber Press Conference (10/20/2025)
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