COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado State’s Dr. Jim Francis, the Rams’ faculty athletics representative (FAR), has been named the recipient of the Dr. Albert C. Yates Distinguished Service Award, as announced by the Mountain West at the Conference’s Spring Joint Council Meeting.
Named in honor of the former CSU president, the award is bestowed upon an individual who has served, supported and promoted the goals and ideals of the Mountain West or a member institution; an individual who, through personal effort and dedication, has enhanced the ability of the Conference and/or its member institutions to provide a positive experience for the student-athletes enrolled at any member institution.
During the Conference’s 19-year history, only 12 individuals have earned the distinction. Dr. Francis becomes the second CSU honoree, joining Marsha Smeltzer (2006-07).
Dr. Francis has served as CSU’s FAR for 18 years. He was initially appointed to the position in 1985 and served until 1995. Then current-President Tony Frank asked Dr. Francis to again assume the role of FAR in 2010. He will retire from CSU, and his current role of FAR, following the 2017-18 academic year.
During his 18 years of service, Dr. Francis continually advocated for the academic and athletic well-being of student-athletes. His love of sports coupled with his dedication and academic accomplishments enabled him to effectively and consistently serve the best interests of CSU and the Mountain West. He has served as the Chair for the MW’s Joint Council and FAR groups in 2012-13 and was on the NCAA Council and Board of Directors of the College Football Association.
A native of Yale, Iowa, Dr. Francis earned two graduate degrees in business from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Central College of Iowa. He lettered in four sports as a college athlete and earned All-America honors in the outdoor pentathlon and 400 meters.
Dr. Francis is the first Dr. Albert C. Yates Distinguished Service Award winner since 2013-14 (Air Force’s Marti Gasser and New Mexico’s Breda Bova).
