Frank "Doc" Maples
Athletic Trainer/Special Contributor
Tennessee High School
1954-2004
Frank “Doc” Maples - 1952-2004 (Tennessee High School)
Frank “Doc” Maples was a teacher, athletic trainer, and archivist for Tennessee High for more than half a century.
“Doc” taught biology and chemistry at THS from 1952 to 2004, when he retired from the classroom. He also served as the trainer for Viking football teams for many years. He played many other roles for the Vikings, including cooking pre-game meals and rooting on countless THS teams on the field and court up until his death in 2016. In 60 years, “Doc” only missed two Tennessee High football games.
“Doc” was the Science Teacher of the Year in Tennessee in 1961, worked with the band and chorus to produce Gilbert and Sullivan operettas at THS, and received a Certificate of Appreciation from the TSSAA for helping and caring for Viking athletes for decades.
In honor of their beloved teacher and friend, students built the “Doc” Maples Courtyard at the school. The holiday girls’ basketball tournament at THS is named for him and Tennessee High's “Doc” Maples Athletic Scholarship was established in his honor.
In 1944, "Doc" graduated from Elizabethton High School. He then served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After returning home, he graduated from Samford University in 1950 and earned his master’s degree from ETSU in 1953. Additionally, he studied Radiation Biology at Duke University and Sports Medicine at UT Medical School.
"Doc" passed away in July of 2016.
