CHATTANOOGA --- The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga softball program and the local community mourn the loss of Jim Frost, who passed away due to complications from COVID-19 Thursday morning. He was 79.
The Chattanooga, Tennessee native and owner of Frost Cutlery in Ooltewah, Tennessee, became heavily involved in the sport of softball and youth sports at the local and national levels in the 1980's due to his daughter, Stephanie Frost.
"It's unmatched what he's done," said Chattanooga softball head coach
Frank Reed. "His legacy is unparalleled to a lot of things people have done here for Chattanooga softball."
Jim Frost established one of the nation's top softball facilities right here in the Scenic City, achieving his dream of helping the youth in Chattanooga. The stadium started construction in 1997 and has been the forever-home for Chattanooga Mocs softball since its opening, with Jim Frost's name proudly attached.
For many years, Chattanooga has been recognized as the "capital" of girls' fast-pitch softball in the Eastern United States. Originally named the "Field of 1,000 Dreams", Jim Frost Stadium was created as a place to showcase talents of thousands of young women who dream of softball glory.
"Jim will never be forgotten for all he has done for this community through the game of softball. I can't imagine the game without him being involved," added Reed.
Jim Frost is also widely known as a leader in the cutlery industry, turning a hobby of collecting knives into Frost Cutlery, a multi-million dollar business which employs over 100 people on location of a 150,000 square foot warehouse.
The family will receive friends Thursday, January 14, from 4-8 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.
About Jim Frost Stadium
UTC opened its two million-plus dollar home on April 20, 1998, against Tennessee, drawing a standing-room-only crowd of 3,521. The stadium's capacity (3,500) ranks among the top five largest in all of NCAA Division I softball.
Frost Stadium has hosted the Southern Conference Softball Championship 11 times including 1998, 2001-2004, 2006, 2009-2010, 2015, 2017 and 2019. UTC captured the title in its home stadium eight times. It also was in the spotlight for the 2001 and 2002 SEC Softball Championship.
The United States national team played an exhibition game at Frost Stadium in June 2000 and were slated to return in 2020 before the pandemic forced a cancellation. In addition, the NCAA recently announced Jim Frost Stadium as the host site for the 2023, 2025 and 2026 NCAA Division II Softball National Championships.
