Frank Waller (athlete) facts for kids
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| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's athletics | ||
Representing the  United States |
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| Olympic Games | ||
| Silver | 1904 St. Louis | 400 metres |
| Silver | 1904 St. Louis | 400 metres hurdles |
Frank Laird Waller (June 24, 1884 – November 29, 1941) was an American athlete. He was best known for his speed in the 400 metres race. Later in his life, he became a talented vocal coach for singers.
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Frank Waller: An Olympic Athlete and Musician
Frank Waller was a remarkable American who excelled in both sports and music. He competed in the early 1900s as a track and field star. After his athletic career, he pursued a passion for music. He became a respected conductor and vocal coach.
Early Life and Olympic Success
Frank Waller was born in 1884. He showed great promise as an athlete from a young age. He attended Menomonie, Wisconsin High School. Later, he studied at the University of Wisconsin, graduating in 1907.
While still a student, Frank competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis. He won two silver medals in Athletics at the 1904 Summer Olympics. He earned silver in both the men's 400 metres race and the 400 metre hurdles. In both events, he finished just behind another American athlete, Harry Hillman.
Frank continued his athletic success after the Olympics. He became the U.S. Champion in the men's 440 yards in both 1905 and 1906. He also won the 220-yard hurdles. At this time, he was competing for the Milwaukee Athletic Club.
Beyond the Track: A Musical Career
After graduating from college, Frank Waller moved to Chicago. There, he met William T. Purdy and Carl Beck. These two men wrote the famous University of Wisconsin fight song, "On, Wisconsin!". Frank even played a role in this song's history. He told Purdy about a contest to write a fight song for the University of Minnesota. Carl Beck then convinced Purdy to offer their song to the University of Wisconsin instead.
Frank Waller's talents extended far beyond sports. He was also a gifted musician. He toured as a pianist with the famous singer Lillian Russell. He spent several years in Germany. There, he worked as a conductor in opera houses.
From 1924 to 1925, he worked at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester. He was a pianist, coach, and theater conductor for their opera department. Later, he led the voice department at the Kansas City Conservatory of Music.
Throughout his musical career, Frank directed several orchestras. These included the Tri-City Symphony and the Milwaukee Philharmonic Orchestra. He also worked for the National Broadcasting Company in New York. He directed the WPA Orchestra in Richmond, Virginia. Frank coached many singers, helping them improve their voices. Some of the singers he coached included Charles Sears, Edith Mason, and Rosa Raisa.
Later Life and Legacy
Frank Waller passed away on November 29, 1941. He was 57 years old. He died from a heart problem after being ill for about six weeks. He never married.
Frank Waller's personal best times in his races were:
- 440 yards: 49.6 seconds (in 1905)
- 400 metre hurdles: 53.6 seconds (in 1904)
Frank Waller is remembered as a versatile individual. He achieved great success as an Olympic athlete. He also made significant contributions to the world of music as a conductor and vocal coach.
