2019 RMAC Hall of Fame Inductees: Part 1
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) announced the first set of inductees into the RMAC Hall of Fame, Class of 2019.
Frank Christensen
Utah – Football
1930-1932
Frank Christensen played football for Utah winning three straight RMAC Football Championship titles and a perfect 19-0 RMAC record. He was a three-time All-American fullback who earned first-team honors from the United Press and World Telegram in 1932 and third-team International News Service honors in 1930 & 1931.
During his time at Utah, he was team captain in 1931 and 1932 and lead the team to a 21-3-1 overall record over the course of three seasons. He ranks third in program history with 235 career points and eighth for most points scored in a single season with 98. His 13 touchdowns in a single season is the fifth-most in Utes history.
After college, Christensen played four years in the NFL for the Detroit Lions from 1934-1937 helping the Lions win the 1935 NFL Championship game against the New York Giants, 26-7. Later, he was the founder of the Christensen Diamond Products Company, a company which grew to become the world's largest producer of industrial diamond products. In 2009, Christensen was named to the RMAC All-Centennial First Team-Offense.
He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, the Utah Sports Hall of Fame and was in the inaugural class of the Utah Athletics Hall of Fame. Christensen was named a Silver Anniversary All-American by Sports Illustrated.
Christensen passed away September 6, 2001.
Frank Gross
Adams State – Track & Field
1974-1978
Frank Gross was a five-time NAIA Champion thrower for Adams State. He set national records in outdoor shot put and discus in 1978. That same year, he was named the NAIA championships’ “Most Outstanding Athlete”. Gross’ record throw in the discus was 60.48m (198-5) which still ranks first in program history. His record throw in the shot put was 19.23 (63-1) and was the top mark in the NAIA for 22 years.
Gross won three indoor national titles in the shot put (1976, 1977 and 1978), setting the NAIA mark in 1977 of 61-3 ¾, which stood for 13 years. Gross was also an 11-time All-American and went on to win several World Military Games titles. His school record holder in the Shot Put stood for 36 years, until Adams State’s national champion Wesley Lavong surpassed it in 2014.
Gross received a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry at Adams State Earned a MS in Physiology and Biomechanics from University of Denver. After graduation, he served in the Air Force from 1980-2000, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel where he was a great servant leader, teacher, mentor, and patriot.
Gross was named to the RMAC All-Centennial team for track & field in 2009. He was also inducted into the Adams State Hall of Fame in 2001.
Gross passed away January 10, 2012 after battling pancreatic cancer.
Christensen and Gross will be recognized at the 2019 RMAC Hall of Fame & Awards Banquet on Friday, July 12 at the Colorado Springs Marriott Hotel.