Frank Atwood Baird (1912–2007) was an American athlete, coach, and sports official who made significant contributions to the sports landscape of Indiana. Born in 1912, Baird attended Butler University, where he distinguished himself as a versatile multi-sport athlete, competing in both baseball and basketball. His collegiate basketball career was highly distinguished, earning him All-American honors.
Following his collegiate success, Baird transitioned to the professional ranks during the early years of professional basketball. He played several seasons in the National Basketball League (NBL) for the Indianapolis Kautskys, where he maintained a career average of 5.1 points per game.
After retiring as a player, Baird remained deeply involved in athletics. He shared his knowledge of the game as a basketball coach at Broad Ripple High School in Indianapolis. Additionally, he built a long career as a college football official, officiating games from 1940 through 1974, which included prestigious postseason assignments such as the Tangerine Bowl and the Grantland Rice Bowl.
Baird's extensive contributions to sports were widely recognized throughout his life. He achieved the rare distinction of being inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, the Indiana Football Hall of Fame, the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Butler Athletic Hall of Fame.
