Affectionally known throughout his life as either “Freddie,” “Allie” or “Doc,” Frederick Wallace established himself as an outstanding person and athlete while attending Washington College. Born in Church Hill, MD, he entered Washington College in 1911 and earned eight varsity letters in football, baseball, and track. He was elected captain of the 1917 varsity baseball team. That fall he was appointed the College’s football coach and sometime afterward he entered the U.S. Army, serving in World War I with the 836 Aero Squadron, A.E.F.
His was a life devoted to athletics in all its forms: playing, coaching, managing, and officiating a variety of sports. Wallace signed a professional baseball contract in 1919 with the Philadelphia National League Team and played briefly with that organization. From 1920 to 1924 he served as manager of the professional baseball teams representing Centreville, MD, Greensboro, MD, Dover, DE, and Greenville, ME. As Director of Athletics at St. Luke’s School he coached the football team to 46 victories, losing only 14 and tieing 2. In 1923 he attended graduate school at the University of Michigan, in preparation for a long career of teaching and coaching.
In 1927, Wallace accepted a position as teacher and football coach at Haverford School in Philadelphia. In 1934, he was named Haverford’s Director of Athletics. At that school, his teams won 39 interacademic championships in football, baseball, basketball and track and he had three undefeated swimming teams.
Wallace also was recognized as an excellent football and basketball official. For two decades after 1924, he was one of the best-known football officials, working many of the outstanding games, including six between Army and Navy.
He served for two years as President of Central Board of Basketball Officials and in 1947 was elected President of the Eastern Intercollegiate Football Officials Association. Before retiring in 1959, he operated boys’ camps in Maine during the summer months.
Wallace was a Mason and an elder in the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, and held membership in scores of organizations, most of them connected with athletics.
Washington College is proud and honored to induct Frederick Wallace into its Athletic Hall of Fame on this second day of October, 1999.
