McKendree University President Daniel C. Dobbins announced today that
Anthony Francis will become the next Director of Athletics for the Bearcats. Francis has played an integral role within the McKendree Athletics Department since joining the Bearcats' family in May 2017 as the Associate Director of Athletics overseeing compliance. In August 2020, he took the reigns as the Interim Director of Athletics. Among his many duties at McKendree, Francis will serve as a member of the President's cabinet.
"Anthony Francis has done a tremendous job leading the athletic department as Interim Director of Athletics in an extremely challenging time for our student-athletes, coaches, and programs," Dobbins said. "COVID has impacted every aspect of McKendree athletics, from competing and traveling, to testing, training, practicing, and recruiting. Anthony's steady leadership, positive approach and tireless work ethic results in outstanding experience for our Bearcat student-athletes, coaches and supporters."
While at the helm of the department's compliance efforts, Francis also become heavily involved in national compliance matters. He served on the National Association of Athletics Compliance (NAAC) Reasonable Standards Committee and was also a NAAC session speaker at the organization's national convention in 2018 and 2019. Francis was also honored by NAAC in receiving its Rising Star Award in 2019. Along with his involvement with NAAC, Francis is a member of the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA).
At McKendree, in addition to overseeing the entire compliance department for the Bearcats, Francis has oversight for the sports of men's and women's soccer, men's and women's tennis, baseball, women's lacrosse, men's and women's golf, and men's and women's powerlifting. He also oversees the daily functions of the strength and conditioning, sports information and game management offices.
Francis joined the McKendree staff after serving in the compliance office at California Baptist University. Francis arrived at California Baptist in 2013 before taking on the role of assistant director of compliance in January 2014. Francis gained experience in the educational field as a development intern at the University of California Riverside in the spring and summer of 2013.
"First and foremost, I would like to thank President Dobbins for this tremendous opportunity. The McKendree community will always have a special place in my heart so I'm honored to accept the position as the next Athletics Director" Francis said. "I've been fortunate to be a part of many successes during my time at the University. The foundation and expectations have certainly been set and I'm thrilled to work with this talented group of coaches and student-athletes in taking that next step. Through my past experiences, I am fully committed to growing the program and creating an environment where young men and women will thrive both on and off the field. I'm excited about the future of the Bearcats."
Francis earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Alaska-Anchorage in 2012 and his master's degree in kinesiology-sport management from California Baptist in 2014. Francis and his wife, Cerelia, are the proud parents of two sons, Braylon (4) and Tristan (2).