Frank Laird Waller (June 24, 1884 – November 29, 1941[1]) was an American athlete who specialized in the 400 metres.

Waller told Purdy about a contest and $100 prize to write a University of Minnesota fight song.

Carl Beck convinced Purdy it should be presented to the University of Wisconsin as their fight song.

[3] From 1924 until 1925 he was pianist, coach, and theater conductor for the opera department at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester.

Among the singers he coached were Charles Sears, Edith Mason, Rosa Raisa, Alice Nielsen, Luisa Tetrazzini, Frances Peralta, and Olga Blani.