Frank Coleman (counselor)

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Frank C. Coleman, known as Tick, (February 29, 1912 – December 25, 2008) was an educator and community volunteer from Philadelphia. He was one of the first Black Eagle Scouts, earning Eagle at age 15 as a freshman at Central High School, where he became the first Black quarterback and helped win Public League titles in 1929 and 1930. He attended Lincoln University, where he was class president, quarterback, and a leader in sports before graduating in 1935.

After college, Coleman spent 32 years as a youth counselor with the School District of Philadelphia. He earned a Master of Arts in social work from the University of Pennsylvania in 1959 and received an honorary PhD from Lincoln University in 1984. He mentored hundreds of Black youth, funded scholarships, and remained active with Lincoln University as an alumnus, serving as Director of Alumni Relations and as a trustee representative. He supported many community organizations and helped expand Scouting for underprivileged youths. The Boy Scouts of America created the Dr. Frank "Tick" Coleman National Service Award in his honor. In 2007 he was considered the oldest living Black Eagle Scout. Coleman died in Philadelphia on December 25, 2008, at age 96; he is buried at Eden Cemetery in Collingdale, Pennsylvania.