Frank Stack

A three-time Olympian and son of a notable winter athlete, speed skater Frank Stack’s greatest success came at his first attempt, when he won a bronze medal in the men’s 10,000 m competition at the 1932 Winter Games. Prior to that, after a career that began at the age of 13, he had been named the Western Canadian Junior Champion in speed skating from 1919 through 1923 and Senior Champion from 1924 through 1929. His international career began in 1931, when he earned the title of North American Indoor Champion (an honor he would earn twice more in 1932 and 1938) and set the five-mile record. A lack of funds prevented him from competing at the 1936 Winter Olympics.

After unsuccessful competition at the 1948 and 1952 Winter Olympics, Stack retired in 1954 and tried his hand at coaching the Canadian Olympic Speed Skating Team in 1952 and 1960. In 1966, now 60, he competed one last time at the Canadian Indoor Championships and claimed three second and two third-place finishes. By the end of his career, he had been the Canadian champion seven times and become the first Canadian to win the 10,000 Lakes Championship in Minnesota. Made a member of Manitoba’s prestigious “Order of the Buffalo Hunt” in 1973, he was inducted into the Canadian Speed Skating Hall of Fame in 1965 as one of five charter members, as well as the Canada Sports Hall of Fame in 1974, and the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. Stack Street in Winnipeg is named in his honor.

Personal Bests: 500 – 43.6 (1948); 1500 – 2:23.2 (1952); 5000 – 9:04.2 (1934); 10000 – 19:00.0 (1952).