Fran Fruzen is the original “Purple Knight,” having recommended the name for Beloit Memorial High School’s sport team and mascot in 1957.

Fruzen was born in Green Bay in 1929 and he started his career in education in Beloit in 1956 as a social studies teacher. In 1972, he took a leave of absence to become president of the Wisconsin Education Association. Upon his return the following year, he became associate principal at Beloit Memorial High School.

Fruzen retired in 1990, but he came back to serve as principal of the district’s Alternative Education Program. In 2004, he became supervisor of the Safe and Drug Free Programs for the
School District of Beloit. He was also very active in the community, serving as president of the Stateline United Givers Fund from 1975 to 1977. He served as chairman of the Greater Beloit Chapter of the American Red Cross from 1983 to 1999.From 1994 to 1996 he was president of the Beloit Inter City Council. Fruzen has received many honors through the years. He was given the Brotherhood Award from the Interrelations Council of the City of Beloit in 1968.

In 1983 he was recognized as a leader in Community Problem Solving especially in relation to youth. In 1986 he received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Beloit Daily News, and in 1990, he received the Headliner Award from the Beloit Daily News.