“My goal has always been to be a head coach at this level,” remarked Francis. “This opportunity became available and I was fortunate enough to be offered this position.”

Francis, a native of Antigua, West Indies, is a 1998 graduate of Mercyhurst College. He played soccer four years for the Lakers, where he was named First-Team All-America, First-Team Great Lakes Region, First-Team All-GLIAC, and GLIAC Player of the Year during his senior year.

Following his college career, Francis played professional soccer a year for the A-League Cincinnati Riverhawks. He remained in Cincinnati following his pro career and worked in the public school system as a substitute educator. He was named the freshmen girl’s coach at Anderson High School and then later named Asst. Head coach of the boy’s squad at Princeton High School before making his way to Wesleyan in 2002.

He will look to turn around the once dominant Wesleyan squad after they posted a 7-12-2 record last year. Wesleyan has won five of the last eight West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles, including winning the championship in 2003.

“I have always believed that if something is not broken break it, and fix it the way you want it to be,” stated Francis. “I now have the opportunity to fix this team my way and put my stamp on the program. I am going to make this team the best I can with the resources and players that I have.”

Francis’ assistant will be first-year coach Katie Fennell. Fennell is a 2005 graduate of Lincoln Memorial University.

Fall Sports Kick Off

The fall West Virginia Wesleyan athletic campaign kicked off this past weekend, and the results were mixed depending on what team you follow the most. The men’s soccer team opened up their season with an impressive 5-1 home victory over Shawnee State. The women’s soccer team had a rocky start against Indiana University (PA) with a 7-0 loss. The football team suffered a 51-10 road setback against a tough Wingate (NC) University team, while the volleyball squad went 1-3 in their Shippensburg (PA) tournament.

Wesleyan’s four other athletic teams will begin their seasons next week. The women’s tennis team, the men’s and women’s cross country teams, and the golf team will all begin their seasons on September 10. Coach Diane Godwin and the women’s tennis team will start their season at Concord while Jesse Skiles and his band of runners will begin their season at Davis & Elkins. The women’s cross country team will be gunning for their fourth consecutive conference title this year. The golf team under coach John Barbour will open their campaign at Ohio Valley.

To keep updated on all the Wesleyan athletic teams, please visit the Wesleyan athletic website.

Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

West Virginia Wesleyan College will induct three individuals and two teams into its Athletic Hall of Fame at the College’s 2005 homecoming weekend. The honorees will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Oct. 22 during a reception in the Social Hall in the Benedum Campus Center. Those to be enshrined in the campus’ Rockefeller Physical Education Center lobby are Marvin W. Culpepper, class of 1951, J. William (Bill) Grimes, class of 1963, Larry Rhoades, class of 1969, and the 1989 and 1990 men’s soccer teams.

For the full release of biographical information please check the Wesleyan website in early October.

Marvin Culpepper ’51 – Marvin has been a life-long benefactor and has established several scholarships for student-athletes

Bill Grimes ’63 – Bill was a three-year starter on the men’s basketball team, ending his career with 941 points. His best was in 1962 when he averaged 16.8 points per game.

Larry Rhoades ’69 – Larry was an outstanding running back on the Bobcat football teams of the late 1960’s. He became the third back to eclipse the 2000-yard career mark and still ranks seventh on the all-time list.

1989 and 1990 Men’s Soccer Teams – With Derrick Leeson coaching both squads, the 1989 team finished with a 20-3-1 record and won Wesleyan’s third NAIA National Championship while the 1990 compiled a 20-1-3 record and won the College’s fourth NAIA National Championship.