Frank Oftring

Frank Oftring
Biographical details
Born(1924-06-04)June 4, 1924
DiedOctober 4, 1982(1982-10-04) (aged 58)
Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
Playing career
1946–1950Holy Cross
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1952–1959Saint Peter's HS
1959–1961Holy Cross (assistant)
1961–1965Holy Cross

Frank A. Oftring Jr. (June 4, 1924 – October 4, 1982) was an American college basketball player and coach. He played on Holy Cross' 1947 National Championship team and later returned to campus as the school's head coach from 1961 to 1965.

After concluding his high school career in June 1942 at Brooklyn Technical High School, Oftring joined the United States Navy during World War II, stationed primarily at Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island. Following his service, he joined Doggie Julian's Holy Cross team and was a forward on their 1947 championship team with future Hall of Fame guard Bob Cousy.[1] After his career, Oftring was drafted in the 8th round of the 1950 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics, though he never played in the NBA.

During the 1950s, Oftring and Cousy owned a gas station and driving school.[2] In 1952, Oftring began his coaching career at Saint Peter's High School in Worcester, Massachusetts.[3] He returned to Holy Cross in 1959 as an assistant coach.[4] He became Holy Cross' head basketball coach in 1961.[5] He left after four seasons with a record of 64–33 and started a brokerage business.[2]

Oftring died on October 4, 1982.[2] He was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Oftring latest to get Hall call". Worcester Telegram. September 22, 2009. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c UPI (October 6, 1982). "Frank Oftring, Ex-Coach, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
  3. ^ "H. C. Picks Oftring as Hoop Coach". The Boston Globe. May 2, 1961.
  4. ^ "Oftring To Coach At HC". Lewiston Evening Journal. March 20, 1959. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  5. ^ "HC Names Oftring". Youngstown Vindicator. May 2, 1961. Retrieved 6 April 2025.