Seattle Pacific University Athletics

In some ways, he is a contradiction. An immensely competitive man, he built a top-class wrestling program from scratch.

On the other hand, Frank Furtado possesses a servant’s heart, which he displayed as a nurturing instructor and as the father of Seattle Pacific sports medicine.

Built like a bear, Furtado could be gruff and demanding while developing wrestlers into national-caliber athletes. Yet, he was sensitive to the athlete’s well-being. As an assistant track coach, he would comb the oval, searching for stones that could injure a runner.

Furtado recruited and molded solid teams with standout individual performers. Despite a lack of facilities, Seattle Pacific wrestlers were consistent performers at the national level. In 10 seasons, he produced 11 All-Americans, including two who advanced to the NCAA championship match. After the program was dropped, Furtado continued to teach and mentor students in the P.E. department and in the student athletic trainer program.

Although his contributions at Seattle Pacific are many, Furtado is more widely known for his years as the trainer for the Seattle SuperSonics. Although officially retired, he continues to care for the players, often in the Furtado Center, the building that honors the longtime service of both his wife, Sarah, and himself.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS (1965-74)

• Established wrestling as a regional power.

• Teams twice finished among the top 10 at NCAAs; five in the top 20.

• Coached 11 All-Americans.

• Career record of 89-64.