By Tom White
12/28/05

Delaware, OH--Frank Shannon, 88, one of the pioneers of professional basketball in the United States, longtime coach of the Ohio Wesleyan University's men's basketball team, and press box volunteer for many meets at the Delaware, Ohio County Fair, died December 20.

Shannon was one of three volunteers who helped longtime Little Brown Jug publicist Wil Kilburger create one of harness racing's best working environments. Walt Adamkosky and the late Lowell Dean worked with Shannon and Kilburger from 1980 through the mid-1990s.

Shannon coached the Battling Bishops from 1959 to 1979 and retired as the school's all-time winningest coach (214 victories). He coached on the high school, college, military and professional levels and recorded more than 800 victories.

Shannon began his coaching career in 1940, shortly after graduating from Wittenberg University. He was drafted in the Army and served as a major in Gen. Douglas McArthur's G-2 Staff in the South Pacific. When he returned stateside he became the youngest player-coach for the Youngstown Bears of the National Basketball League in 1946-47. The NBL was the forerunner of the National Basketball Association.

Shannon was a two-time all conference selection while at Wittenberg. He was a member of Ohio Wesleyan and Wittenberg Athletic Halls of Fame.

Shannon was buried at New Carlisle Cemetery near his childhood hometown of Springfield, OH.