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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 26, 2005 SOU taps N.M. Highlands prof as AD By KEVIN GOFF Mail Tribune The search for a new Southern Oregon University athletic director came to an end Monday after a near five-month quest. Southern Oregon tapped Dr. Dennis Francois as director of intercollegiate athletics and recreational sports, the school announced. Francois, a professor at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M., replaces interim athletic director Dan Speasl, who stepped in for Phil Pifer in December. The 38-year-old Francois beat out four other finalists for the position. His first day on the job will be June 1. "We had five really fine people to look at," said SOU President Elisabeth Zinser. "Dr. Francois displayed a wonderful capacity to balance athletics and academics. His achievements are quite extraordinary and his references were very stellar." Advertisement Francois teaches exercise and sport sciences at NMHU. In 2002-03, he served as interim director of athletics, overseeing nine NCAA Division II teams as well as sports information, development, athletic training and compliance operations. His experience and enthusiasm played a big part in the hire, said Zinser. "He is a person who has an ability to take the program forward," Zinser said. "He’s original in his thinking and has a lot of respect in college and academic institutes. "There are so many things about him. He’s full of energy and has wonderful ideas." Francois was equally excited about his new position. "I’m honored to be selected and looking forward to getting after it," said Francois. "I think the tradition that SOU has as far as athletic program is very strong. "Also, the town of Ashland is very beautiful and the campus ... They have a lot of things going for them, and I’m really looking forward to it." Francois’ brief stint as AD at NMHU brought with it much success. Fund raising for athletics grew 18-fold, and he hired head coaches in football, women’s basketball and women’s soccer. His accomplishments also include a revised budgeting process, which saved money and helped pay down an inherited deficit, and renovations to the softball field and field house. Those achievements at NMHU translated well, he said, to what Southern Oregon is looking for. "I think (SOU) was looking for somebody to come in and have innovative ideas and step outside the box," said Francois, who also served on the faculty senate and other athletic and university committees. "My experience in academia is something I plan on utilizing. Anytime the (athletic) budget’s tight, as is the case pretty much anywhere else, then there’s the potential to have animosity there (between athletics and academics). That’s something I dealt with." Francois has a bachelor’s degree in communications management from Southwest Missouri State University. He earned his Ph.D. in sport administration from the University of New Mexico in 1998, and a master’s in administration of athletics from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Francois has a history in the coaching ranks, as well. He was an assistant wrestling coach at Loras College and at Colorado Northwestern Community College. "Of course, as a former wrestler, I saw (Southern Oregon’s) national championship," said Francois, who has a 4-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter with wife Teresa. "That caught my eye. But also the football success. "You can pretty much go down the line, with the track and field team lighting it up, men’s basketball, tennis. Down the line there are some very good programs." Francois should have a chance to get his feet wet fairly soon with head coaching vacancies to fill in football and women’s basketball. "That’s something we’ll be finding a direction on soon," he said. "I can’t wait. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity." Reach reporter Kevin Goff at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s