Friends of Basketball

Frank Blanchfield

Year Inducted: 1995

Category: Friends of Basketball

Schools / Organizations: H
Taylorville High School

Biography:

Frank “Frankie” Blanchfield has been called one of the most devoted sports fans some people have had the pleasure to have known.  He was not only a loyal supporter of Taylorville basketball but was also a supporter of basketball throughout Illinois.

Frankie worked as public address announcer at Taylorville High School for both boys’ and girls’ basketball for more than 20 years.  In addition, he served as a host to both officials and opposing teams.  At different times he  kept the score book, ran the clock, and even sang the National Anthem, not only at Taylorville, but in surrounding school districts as well.

A coach in an adjoining district to Taylorville says he saw Blanchfield at one of that district’s events on some level at least once a week.  Frankie could even be found on Saturday mornings at the YMCA Pee-Wee basketball league on a regular basis.

Frankie was truly a friend of basketball in the eyes of hundreds of fans throughout central Illinois.