LORETTO, Pa. (D9/EYT) – DuBois Central Catholic and Penn State University alum Jackson Frank has built a solid resume for himself, helping him to become the latest addition to the Saint Francis University (Pa.) softball coaching staff.
(Photo courtesy of Saint Francis University Athletics)
The former two-time United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Small College World Series Champion with Penn State DuBois baseball dreamed of becoming a General Manager of a Major League Baseball organization one day. To get there, he has gained experience in almost every facet of the game of baseball along the way.
As a player, he got his start in one of the best Little League’s in the entire state in DuBois, and as a 13-year-old, his team won a Junior Little League state title and advanced to regionals in New Jersey. From there, he played for the DuBois Central Catholic Cardinals baseball program and was a part of a District 9 championship team in 2016.
“DuBois is a really big softball and baseball town,” said Frank. “There have been some really great opportunities for my sisters and I, and my dad and my grandpa have played and coached in DuBois Little League.”
Jackson took advantage of being surrounded by great baseball minds growing up as he played for two years himself at the college level before transferring to Penn State University Park to expand on his knowledge of baseball by becoming a team manager for the Nittany Lions as well as a member of the sports business and sabermetrics club.
For the Nittany Lions, he became a part of the analytical approach to the game and dove deeply into scouting in the game of baseball. He has since taken a course called the Sports Management Worldwide General Manager and Scouting Course, a class that helped him to gain experience in scouting, player development, and how business is conducted at the Major League Baseball level.
His internship and working experience are also impressive as he worked as an assistant general manager with the college summer league team, the DuBois Bucks. Frank also assisted Prep Baseball Report while interning for the DuBois Sports Properties organization to help organize collegiate showcases for future college baseball players.
“I think a lot of my scouting background is going to come into play in this new role,” said the current Saint Francis graduate student. “I have experience building scouting reports by going to some recruiting and scouting events.
“I am also going to be our first-base coach, taking over some of the softball operations duties, will break down film on our players, and will dive into scouting other teams, as well.”
Prior to this role, the former Nittany Lion was working for Saint Francis University Athletics as an Athletic Administration graduate assistant before transitioning from volunteer softball coach to graduate assistant softball coach for the 2022 season. This move unites him with his twin sister, Jordy, an important player that has helped the Red Flash win three Northeast Conference (NEC) titles in her four years there.
“It has always been fun going to her games,” he said. “I previously coached my little sister Jessy with my dad, but I still am having trouble wrapping my head around that I am going to be coaching first base and am coaching her.”
Frank is no stranger to softball growing up in a family with two sisters while also having a long-time girlfriend, Shayleigh Gulvas, a Division II player at Seton Hill University.
“When we are together, we are always talking about baseball or softball. Just sports overall, honestly. Having sisters really made my appreciation for the sport grow.”
Frank becomes the latest DuBois connection to the team over the last six seasons as DuBois Area High School graduates Sierra and Cheyenne McKee, Jordy Frank, and Ashley Wrubble have created a solid streamline of talent from the area heading to play in the NEC for Head Softball Coach Jessica O’Donnell.
“DuBois has a lot of hardworking girls in softball, and it is nice to see that hard work translate on the field. The high school and Little League programs in softball have made this possible, and all played a part in helping these girls be able to play here.”
The former Cardinal standout will look to help make it five straight NEC titles for the Red Flash softball team, but the program’s expectations have risen to hopefully with some games after qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. The Red Flash hope this is the year they can put it all together and get their first program win at regional under Coach O’Donnell.
“There’s a championship mindset here,” explained Frank. We are ready to get rolling and having a win in regionals as one of our goals gives us something to look forward to.”
In the classroom, Frank is beginning his second semester as a graduate student in the Saint Francis Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program, with his focus being sports management.
“God has a plan for me. I am interested to see how my time working in sports will play out. I’m just going to keep my options wide open,” he said.
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