Biography

Frank Gookin was a two-year starter for the Rocketeers during the 1951 and 1952 seasons. The big offensive and defensive left tackle missed several games during the '51 campaign due to injuries. His loss during the last three games of the season was a tough blow to the team. However, the experience he gained during the first half of the season enabled Frank to bounce back in 1953 to co-captain an undefeated North eleven.

Gookin and Clark Gay, another Hall of Fame member, co-captained the 1953 North team to an 8-0-1 season. Frank was a main cog on a defense that did not allow a point until the fifth game of the season, a 6-6 tie against Stoughton. A newspaper account of the game credits Frank with being one of the defensive standouts for the Red and White. Several times he was credited with leading a defense which stopped Stoughton's great back, Len Jardine for no gain. The six points scored by Stoughton was the only score allowed by Frank and his defensive mates that year.

Gookin was selected as a Sun Area All Star. He will always be remembered as a standout two-way lineman on one of North's all time best teams.