Hall of Fame
The Alaska Nanooks Department of Athletics officially announced the second inductee of the Nanook Hall of Fame’s Class of 2018, which includes former Alaska Nanooks men’s basketball player Steve Frank.
Frank, a Fairbanks product, transferred to the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the fall of 1974 after spending his freshman season with the University of Washington Huskies men’s basketball team. Frank played for the Nooks from 1974-77, finishing his career in his hometown.
Frank currently sits in eighth place on the Alaska men’s basketball’s All-Time Scoring Leaders list with 1,277 career points. On the Alaska men’s basketball’s All-Time Rebounding list, Frank sits just outside the top-10 at number 11 with 481 career rebounds.
In his senior season (1976-77), Frank averaged 13.4 points per game after collecting 321 points total in 24 appearances. Frank also tallied a .496 field goal percentage (138-of-278), a .703 free throw percentage (45-of-75), 118 rebounds (5.1 per game average) and 42 assists.
Former Alaska Nanooks men’s basketball head coach Al Svenningson described Frank in the 1974-75 media guide as, “A welcome addition to the squad after a year and a half with the University of Washington. A very physical player at 6’3” with a good outside shot. He needs to improve his defense to realize his full potential as an all-around ball player.”
Following graduation in the spring of 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Frank was elected to the Alaska State House of Representatives in 1985, followed by a stint as an Alaskan Senator from 1989-1996. Frank is still an active member and resident of the Fairbanks community.
