Walton to be inducted into USC Rugby Hall of Fame

Dr. Frank Walton, who will be inducted into the USC Rugby Hall of Fame April 19, joined the University of South Carolina rugby club at the invitation of Coach Jim Wynn after the USC Hall of Famer discovered Frank had played football for 19 years.

Frank was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1959 and was inducted into the John Carroll University Football Hall of Fame in 1992.

He was commissioned in the Army in 1963 and was the leading rusher for the Army team, which defeated the Quantico Marines for the National Service Championship on national television in the Missile Bowl in 1963. In 1964, Frank was the leading ground gainer, leading receiver and most valuable player for the Army team.

Frank played in the first rugby match he had ever seen against Davidson. Overall, he booted up nearly 100 times for the Gamecocks.

Walton was referred to the “Big Gun” by the student newspaper in the early 70s when he was frequently the highest scorer. In 1974, The Gamecock noted that Frank was responsible for 59 of the 125 points the team scored that season.

His wife, Kathy, may have watched more matches than any other fan. She attended most home games and traveled up and down the east coast to attend many of the away games, including the 1974 Eastern Rugby Union Tournament.

Frank says that he enjoyed football, but there is nothing quite like lending a hand to fellow teammates on the rugby field.

To RSVP for the Hall of Fame ceremony, please visit our events page.