Known and fondly remembered as a mentor, provider and character builder as well as a promoter of UBC and UBC football, Frank Gnup was hired by Dr. Gordon Shrum in 1955 to be the head coach of the Thunderbirds and an instructor at UBC’s school of physical education. Prior to accepting his head coaching position, Frank served in the US armed forces as a football coach and played for the Toronto Argonauts.
During his eighteen years as a head coach, Frank also coached the UBC baseball and golf teams. During his tenure as head coach, he won three Hardy Cups and sent 17 of his players to professional football and several more to professional baseball. In 1973 Frank retired from coaching and continued to serve as a senior instructor at UBC until he passed away suddenly in 1976. He was inducted into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
