The University of Nebraska Athletic Department has selected Carol Frost as the recipient of the 2004-05 Trailblazer Award for outstanding contribution to women's athletics. Nebraska Athletic Director Steve Pederson and Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator Dr. Barbara Hibner, the award's inaugural winner, will recognize Frost during pregame ceremonies of the annual Red-White spring football game on Saturday, April 17.
Frost is the fourth winner of the annual award. The others include Hibner, for whom the award was named; 2001-02 honorees Dana Raimondi and her late husband Richard Raimondi, as well as their children Christina Raimondi Craft and Melanie Raimondi; and 2002-03 recipient Betty Geis, in memory of her late daughter, Julie. The Raimondi and Geis families each endowed scholarships to be awarded to softball student-athletes at Nebraska.
"Growing up in Nebraska, the name 'Carol Frost' was synonymous for me with great female athletics," Pederson said. "When I think about a true Trailblazer in every sense of the term, Carol fits every one of the criteria. I think it is high time and long overdue that we recognize Carol Frost and her contributions to Nebraska athletics. Presenting this award is humbling to me."
With a strong desire to compete in the Olympics and a love for track and field, Frost boldly created her own athletic opportunities a decade before women officially competed for the Huskers. Because she couldn't use the University facilities, Frost trained alone at local high schools and at the Nebraska State Fairgrounds. She was rewarded for her commitment. Frost won four AAU discus championships and captured the gold medal at the 1967 Pan American Games. Frost made her Olympic dreams a reality in 1968, qualifying for the Mexico City Games. She finished 14th out of 26 competitors at the Mexico City Olympics.
A 1967 graduate of UNL, Frost coached the Husker women's track and field team from 1976 to 1980. Since then, she has continued her life-long involvement with athletics at the high school level. Frost has held various track and football high school coaching positions throughout her career and currently serves as the head football coach at Walthill High School.
In addition to the Trailblazer award, Frost will also be named as an honorary member of the official Nebraska Varsity N Club. Even though she never officially competed for the Huskers, Frost undoubtedly would have earned several letters as measured by present standards.
Frost will be accompanied at the spring game by her husband, Larry, and her son, Scott, both of whom had very successful football careers at Nebraska.
