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Army Specialist Frank Gross attended Cooperstown Dreams Park as a member of the Florida Rays (FL) during Week 3 in 1998. A two-run home run on July 7, 1998 was one of the highlights of his stay at Cooperstown Dreams Park.
The year following his stay at Cooperstown Dreams Park, Frank attended a baseball camp in St. Petersburg, FL, where he had the opportunity to have Cal Ripken, Jr., pitch to him.
Frank continued his baseball career at Indian Rocks Christian School (Largo, FL). A star pitcher, Frank graduated in 2004. He was awarded an athletic scholarship to Trinity International University (Deerfield, IL) where he played one season (2005). Frank transferred to Southeastern University (Lakeland, FL) and played baseball his sophomore season (2006). Frank made the move to Full Sail University (Winter Park, FL) for his final two years of school. Although not playing baseball, Frank earned a Bachelor's Degree in Digital Arts in 2008 and a Master's Degree in Entertainment Business in 2009.
In May 2010, Frank made the decision to enlist in the Army. He graduated as the most distinguished honor graduate while at Advance Individual Training at Fort Gordon (Augusta, GA), graduated from Airborne School (Fort Benning, Columbus, GA), earned the Rifle Marksmanship Award, and was chosen to be a part of the Super Squad during basic training. On June 28, 2011, Frank, who was part of the 2nd Battalion, 38th Cavalry Regiment, 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, out of Fort Hood, TX, was deployed to Afghanistan.
It is with our deepest regret that Specialist Frank Gross lost his life during active duty in Afghanistan on July 16, 2011.
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