Having
been born 103 years ago, today’s fans are probably not familiar with
Frank Benedict. Many may recognize the name as a fine dentist in his
hometown of Midland. But rest assured the good doctor was an
outstanding all around athlete. He set the tone for the number of
quality athletes that have come through the halls of Midland High
School. A 1922 grad of Midland, Frank was a three sport star. He
lettered three years in football, basketball, and track with the
Leopards. He was on the very first Midland football squad in 1920,
and in the second year led the team to an undefeated season. Besides
the three sports he played at Midland, Frank also played summer
baseball for several years. He drew many accolades in that sport as
well playing for the Midland Cubs as a leftfielder. Frank entered
the University of Pittsburgh in 1922 and walked on to the football
team. The following year he moved up to the varsity where he was
coached by legendary coaches Pop Warner (1923) and Jock Sutherland
(1924 and 1925). He helped Pitt go 18-8-1 in those three years,
including an 8-1 season in his senior year, starring as a center.
After graduation Frank returned to Midland to set up his dentist
practice, but he continued his sporting interests. In 1927, he
organized and coached the Midland Merchants football team, which
played in the Pittsburgh Football League, a semi-pro organization.
The following three years, Frank played for Art Rooney on a team
called the Majestic Radials, which was the forerunner to the
eventual Pittsburgh Steelers. Frank also took up golf in 1929 and
became very efficient on the links. Three times he made the
championship round on the Crucible Golf League, winning it twice. To
further show his versatility, he was an accomplished bowler, once
rolling a 298 game. A dentist for 60 years, Frank was highly
involved in his community, holding down several positions on various
municipal, business, and church boards. His extensive work in
Midland was noted by Pitt, which presented him with the Letterman of
Distinction Award in 1974. He was also chosen Man of the Year by the
Midland Knights of Columbus. Frank and his wife Adelyn were parents
of two children, Marcella Benedict Bonfiglio and Patricia Benedict
Snizik. He was a longtime proud booster of Midland athletic and
academic programs, and was dedicated to his church and the town.
Having
been born 103 years ago, today’s fans are probably not familiar with
Frank Benedict. Many may recognize the name as a fine dentist in his
hometown of Midland. But rest assured the good doctor was an
outstanding all around athlete. He set the tone for the number of
quality athletes that have come through the halls of Midland High
School. A 1922 grad of Midland, Frank was a three sport star. He
lettered three years in football, basketball, and track with the
Leopards. He was on the very first Midland football squad in 1920,
and in the second year led the team to an undefeated season. Besides
the three sports he played at Midland, Frank also played summer
baseball for several years. He drew many accolades in that sport as
well playing for the Midland Cubs as a leftfielder. Frank entered
the University of Pittsburgh in 1922 and walked on to the football
team. The following year he moved up to the varsity where he was
coached by legendary coaches Pop Warner (1923) and Jock Sutherland
(1924 and 1925). He helped Pitt go 18-8-1 in those three years,
including an 8-1 season in his senior year, starring as a center.
After graduation Frank returned to Midland to set up his dentist
practice, but he continued his sporting interests. In 1927, he
organized and coached the Midland Merchants football team, which
played in the Pittsburgh Football League, a semi-pro organization.
The following three years, Frank played for Art Rooney on a team
called the Majestic Radials, which was the forerunner to the
eventual Pittsburgh Steelers. Frank also took up golf in 1929 and
became very efficient on the links. Three times he made the
championship round on the Crucible Golf League, winning it twice. To
further show his versatility, he was an accomplished bowler, once
rolling a 298 game. A dentist for 60 years, Frank was highly
involved in his community, holding down several positions on various
municipal, business, and church boards. His extensive work in
Midland was noted by Pitt, which presented him with the Letterman of
Distinction Award in 1974. He was also chosen Man of the Year by the
Midland Knights of Columbus. Frank and his wife Adelyn were parents
of two children, Marcella Benedict Bonfiglio and Patricia Benedict
Snizik. He was a longtime proud booster of Midland athletic and
academic programs, and was dedicated to his church and the town.