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Also naming the 2100 block of South Earp street “Frank ‘Tick’ Coleman Way” to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Frank "Tick" Coleman for his contributions to South Philadelphia as an educator, athlete, community volunteer, and mentor to many youths in the City of Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, Frank "Tick" Coleman was born February 28, 1911 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late Solomon and Victoria M. Coleman-Pendelton; and
WHEREAS, Affectionately known as 'Tick," nicknamed by his Logan Elementary classmates who stated, "he could do things in a few ticks of a clock''; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Coleman first joined the Scouts in Troop 181 at a neighborhood Episcopal Church. This was in accordance with the wishes of his mother, who wanted him to have something to do after school. He persevered in scouting despite the societal prejudices of the day. In a ceremony at the Union League, he earned his Eagle rank in October 1926 at age 15, becoming one of the first three known black Eagle Scouts; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Coleman dedicated many of his years toward bringing scouting to underprivileged youth. To honor his years of service, the Boy Scouts of America created the "Dr. Frank 'Tick" Coleman National Service Award" to honor paraprofessional scouters; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Coleman graduated from Logan Elementary School and went on to play football at Central High School. It was here that he became the school’s first black quarterback, and led the football team to Public League titles in 1929 and 1930; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Coleman graduated and attended Lincoln college, the historically black college in Chester County, where he also was quarterback and football team captain. He also managed the basketball team, was on the wrestling team, was class president, and was a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1935; and
WHEREAS, He earned both a Bachelor and Doctorate Degree from Lincoln University, and went on to receive a Master's Degree from the Pennsylvania School of Social Work; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduation he became a social worker and probation officer in Philadelphia before becoming a counselor with the School District of Philadelphia in 1949. Mr. Coleman worked for the School District as a youth counselor for thirty-two years and retired in 1981; and
WHEREAS, In 1981, after a career as counselor in the Philadelphia School District, he returned to Lincoln to be director of alumni relations for seven years, and for more than 10 years he was alumni representative on Lincoln's board of trustees. In 1984, Lincoln awarded Mr. Coleman an honorary doctorate; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his life Mr. Coleman was an active member of his community, and started working at the Christian Street YMCA during segregation but the challenges of the time just made him more adamant to find and create ways to serve the community and its youth; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Coleman was baptized in 1927 at Union Baptist Church and had been a faithful member for eighty-one years. He was an ordained deacon serving on the Deacon Board for over forty years. Additionally, he served as a member of the Scholarship Committee and served as the Assistant Sunday School Superintendent; and
WHEREAS, As a testament to his career as a superior athlete, his football helmet and shoes are on display annually at the African American Museum in Philadelphia. For five decades he campaigned to reestablish Lincoln's football team and witness it's reactivation in 2007; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Coleman is noted for supporting those institutions that helped him succeed in his efforts to mentor hundreds of youth in the city of Philadelphia. His involvement in the community has included the Philadelphia Christian Street YMCA, Wharton Settlement, Wissahickon Boy's Club, Department of Public Assistance, Department of Recreation, Peace Corps, Salvation Army, Neighborhood Center South, Wilmont Boys Club, Curtain Community Center, Southside Day Camp, and the Lansdowne Board of Education; and
WHEREAS, On Thursday, December 25, 2008 after a brief illness, Frank "Tick" Coleman, at the age of ninety-seven, quietly passed away with loved ones by his side; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Coleman’s life and legacy will continue to live on through those he mentored, supported and inspired in his community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Also names the 2100 block of South Earp street “Frank ‘Tick’ Coleman Way” to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Frank "Tick" Coleman for his contributions to South Philadelphia as an educator, athlete, community volunteer, and mentor to many youths in the city of Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Frank "Tick" Coleman as evidence of the admiration and respect of this body.
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