Pawlak, Frank “Hawks”

Frank “Hawks” Pawlak – (1972)

 

FRANK (Hawks) PAWLAK
(Deceased)

The name “Pawlak” has long been associated with athletics in the City of Lorain. “Hawks” Pawlak remains the epitome of excellence in all sports while typifying the boy who overcame extreme hardships while growing to become a pillar of success in his personal as well as athletic life. One of nine children, he was an honor student at Lorain High School. While blazing a personal trail in baseball, softball, football, basketball and volleyball, he overcame the death of his father in 1929 in a railroad accident to become one of the city’s leading citizens. “Hawk” rose from buck private to captain during his three-year Army tour (1943-46) and progressed just as amazingly in the Lorain Police Department. He joined the department in 1942, and was promoted to sergeant in 1947, to lieutenant in 1949 and finally to Chief of Police in 1953 at age 37. Baseball was “Hawk’s” first love. He was a brilliant infielder, a potent hitter and daring base-runner. He was pitcher and infielder in softball, a feared halfback in football and played basketball and volleyball to “stay in shape.” Studying nights at Western Reserve University, he took seven years to graduate with honors and a law degree. The Lorain Little League and Catholic Youth Organization exist today because of his dedicated leadership.