FREDERIC DOUGLAS was born to Frederick and Hazel Douglas on March 4, 1933 in Philadelphia, PA.

Frederic spent his youth as most young boys do, enjoying the pleasures of athletics. And boy did he excel at both basketball AND baseball!

With his love and passion for basketball, it seemed as if his veins were filled with liquid basketballs, instead of blood. Basketball became one of his great passions and an integral part of his life.

In 1947, Frederic played on his first championship team with the 16th Police District, West Philadelphia Baseball Champions. At Overbrook High School, he played on two Philadelphia Public League Basketball Championship teams; 1949 and 1950, and in his senior year, was named to the City of Philadelphia's All-Public League's Basketball Team. He also played on Overbrook's 1950 Philadelphia Public League Championship Baseball Team, and was named All-Public in Baseball, as well.

Upon graduating from Overbrook, Frederic received a four year athletic scholarship to Maryland State College, currently named the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, where incidentally, his three sons attended, as well.

Frederic joined the Philadelphia Police Department in 1957 and served as a Fairmount Park Guard for 30 years, retiring in 1987.

In 1968, the Philadelphia Police Department awarded him one of their highest honors; the prestigious valor award. Throughout his career as a Police Officer, Frederic still found time for basketball.

Not only did he play on the 1960 Championship Park Police Team, but he coached at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. This is when he became affectionately known as "Coach". Coach not only coached talented young men and women in basketball, but he also enthusiastically mentored them, in the process. As a matter of fact, he coached many players who ultimately went on to pursue playing professionally.

Frederic Douglas was the first African-American coach in the City of Philadelphia's Catholic League. He coached High School All-American Maurice "Mo" Howard at St. Joseph's Prep in 1972. He was the Assistant Coach at Philadelphia Community College when they won four straight Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference Championships, from 1981-1985.

Coach spent every summer at Temple University's McGonigle Hall, where he coached three championship Baker League Teams and became the Baker League's Commissioner for 35-plus years.

Coach has been a member of the Philadelphia Youth Athletic Association since 1971, and the Sports Coordinator for the Girls' Club of Philadelphia in 1979.

In 2016, Coach Douglas was inducted into the inaugural class of The Philadelphia Black Basketball Hall of Fame with John Chaney, Tee Parham, Jackie Moore and Wilt Chamberlain.

Frederic Douglas was a loving father and is survived by four of his six children; Deborah Douglas, Gale Douglas (preceded him in death), Frederick Douglas, Derrick Douglas (preceded him in death), Kirk Douglas, and Paula Douglas. He is also survived by his brother Lance Antonio Douglas, his nephew Max Douglas, and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.