KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- His college and coaching career might have ended over 50 years ago, but Frankie Allen '71 is still receiving awards.
The Small College Basketball National Hall of Fame Committee has announced the Class of 2023 with Allen earning a spot for his playing time with the Maroons.
Allen remains a Maroon and Virginia legend for his achievements during his four years (1967-68 to 1970-71) at Roanoke.
He was the first African American student athlete to attend Roanoke. Allen, a 6-6 forward, is the all-time leading scorer (2,780 points) and rebounder (1,758 rebounds) at any level in the state of Virginia. For his career, Allen averaged 24.3 ppg and 15.3 rpg in 115 games. He still holds 18 individual school records, including career made field goals (904), career made free throws (992), and career free throw percentage (80.4). Allen set five single-season and individual-game marks that still stand, among those marks is his 49-point effort against The Citadel as a junior. He had six other 40-plus point games and scored 30 or more points four times.
He led Roanoke (22-8) to its first NCAA College Division Tournament appearance in 1968. He also helped the Maroons to claim three Mason Dixon Conference regular-season, two conference tournament championships, and two NCAA tournament appearances. Roanoke went 82-34 during Allen's four years. Named the Virginia College Division Player of the Year three times (1969-71), he also earned NCAA College Division all-American recognition as a junior and senior. A four-time, first-team all-Mason Dixon Conference selection, he also was the first individual ever to be named to the AP Virginia All-state team all four years. He was the Mason-Dixon Conference Player of the Year in 1970 and 1971. Allen was inducted into the Roanoke College Hall of Fame in 1976 and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. His number-44 is among those numerals that have been retired by Roanoke College.
The SCB Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Friday, November 3, at the Polk Theatre in Lakeland, Fla.
The 2023 class includes the following members:
Players
Frankie Allen (Roanoke College)
Gerald Cunningham (Kentucky State)
Bayard Forrest (Grand Canyon University)
Greg Grant (Trenton State College)
John Grochowalski (Assumption University)
Charles Hardnett (Grambling State)
Henry Lee Logan (Western Carolina)
Jackie Moreland (LA Tech)
R.C. Owens (College of Idaho)
Glenn Roberts (Emory & Henry)
Coach
Joe Hutton (Hamline University)
Contributor/Player
Ed Steitz
