General | 11/16/2016 8:00:00 PM
Frank Cudillo, who was inducted into the Wayne State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990, passed away last week.
A native of Detroit and graduate of Detroit Chadsey HS, Cudillo earned three letters (1937-38-40) at Wayne in football. He missed earning a varsity letter in 1939 with a broken arm. Known as "Ace", Cudillo was a triple-threat back on offense and defense for the Tartars. In Wayne's single wing offense, Cudillo was a tailback, and on defense he played at safety. During his Wayne career Cudillo set the team's single season points total record with 51 in 1937, and scored a then career-record 87 points. He led the 1938 squad with six touchdowns and 36 points. In a 65-0 victory over Hillsdale in 1937, Cudillo tied a Wayne record with three rushing touchdowns. He again scored three touchdowns in a single game twice more in his career, in a 32-0 win over Louisville in 1937, and in Wayne's 1938 season finale, a 35-0 victory over Buffalo.
Cudillo received sectional recognition for his football exploits after the 1938 season. In 1939, he was named to the Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, and then published by the University of Alabama. Named captain of the 1939 squad, Cudillo instead spent the entire season on the sidelines, after breaking his arm on a block tackle during a scrimmage in August. He fell forward into a pile, and was injured.
Other than his one missed season, Cudillo never missed a game during his entire career. He served as honorary captain of the 1939 squad, while captains were chosen on a game-by-game basis during that season. In 1940 Cudillo and Pat Savage were selected as co-captains.
Cudillo received his nickname "Ace" from a teammate who wrote for the Daily Collegian, Wayne's student newspaper. Cudillo was instrumental in Wayne's 19-13 upset over Akron in 1937. Trailing 13-12 going into the fourth quarter, he intercepted an Akron lateral and returned it 65 yards. Cudillo then carried the ball for a five-yard touchdown to seal the victory for Wayne. Teammate Warren Messer called Cudillo "Ace" in his write-up on the game the following week, and the nickname stuck.
Cudillo was an all-city football, basketball and baseball player at Detroit Chadsey HS, graduating in 1937. After graduating from Wayne, he returned to the Detroit Public Schools for a 32-year career as a teacher and coach. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education from Wayne in 1941, and a Master of Arts in Social Studies from Wayne in 1945. After receiving his bachelor's degree, Cudillo joined the teaching staff at Detroit Cass Technical High School, where he would remain for 32 years-as a social studies teacher. In his early years at the school, he also coached boys' football and basketball, each for eight years. His 1955 and 1956 Technician basketball squads won the PSL championship, and after the 1955 season he was named PSL Coach-Of-The-Year.
OBITUARY --
Frank was born on May 16, 1916 and passed away on Thursday, November 10, 2016. Frank was a resident of Romeo, Michigan at the time of his passing. He graduated from Chadsey High School. Frank attended Wayne State University where he was an all American football player where he played from 1937-1941. He was married to Marie (Morse). Funeral services took place on Monday November 14, 2016 at St. Clement Catholic Church in Romeo. Visitation was held on Saturday, November 12, 2016 and Sunday, November 13, 2016. Donations can be made out to Wayne State University's Football Program checks can be made out to Wayne State Athletic Department and mailed to 5101 John C. Lodge 101 Matthaei Detroit, MI 48202.
