FRANCIS
THE NAME Alfred 'Frano' Francis is one of the most well known in track and field circles.
Francis, who owns and operates Art Printery, has spent much of his time preparing and organising track meets, which demonstrates his love for the sport.
He has also served the sport in several capacities including manager of several junior track and field teams to the World Junior Championships, Pan American Championships, Central America and the Caribbean (CAC) Championships and Cross Country Champion-ships, chairman of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association's (JAAA) youth committee and race director for several races, including the famous Reggae Marathon and Half Marathon.
Francis' latest appointment is to chair the organising committee for the CARIFTA Games trials. Born in the lush parish of Portland, Francis is married with four children.
A former Norman Gardens Primary School and Kingston College (KC) past student, Francis, under the guidance of present JAAA President Howard Aris, won the 4x400m gold at Champs in his day.
One on One recently caught up with Francis.
Question: How did you get involved in track and field?
Alfred Francis: I had the honour representing Kingston College at track and field. There are some schools whose past students have contributed significantly to the development of track and field in Jamaica and I must say that the spirit of the KC Old Boys, who continue to give to the school and country, have made a tremendous impact on my life.
Q: Was there any time you felt as if you would give up track and field?
AF: No. Track and field and running are a way of life for me and I have great joy in contributing to the well-being of others and self.
Q: As a businessman, how difficult is it to juggle this with track and field?
AF: I have a very supportive family and staff who assist with the many track and field, cross country, road running and social projects that I am involved with. I am very passionate about what I do and this makes hard work easy.
Q: You are seen almost everywhere that there is a track meet, when do you find time for fun and your family; especially with running your own business?
AF: Track and field is fun. I enjoy waking at 4:00 a.m. and running a couple miles with my fellow Jamdammers during the week and running 10 or more miles on a Saturday and liming after the run. I enjoy running marathons.
I have four children - two daughters and two sons. One daughter is a lawyer in New York and the other an architect in Atlanta. My eldest son is at business school in Washington. My youngest son, Adam, attends Hillel Academy and he plays the guitar very well and we share the love for music. My spouse has done a fantastic job stewarding our family.
However, I am and have been found guilty of family neglect, especially when I run the Junior Camp with my extended family - our junior athletes. As parents, I think we have done a good job in child rearing and now that our kids are grown, Diane (spouse) has become more involved in road racing and cross country.
Q: You were the most popular JAAA executive among the junior and long-distance athletes. What was the feeling like when they relieved you of the post as chairman of the youth programme?
AF: There is an emotional cost when one makes transitions and I have grown stronger and I am charting new courses and I have been challenged with new opportunities.
I still enjoy a loving and respectful relationship with the juniors and continue to contribute positively to their well-being.
Q: A lot of good things have been said about you, what you would say are your biggest achievements in the sport?
AF: I am most thankful for the opportunity to serve among the many selfless persons who have made great sacrifices to contribute to nation building through sports.
Q: You have been an executive member of the JAAA for the past six years. How far in this administration do you want to go?
AF: First, I would like to use this medium to thank Howard Aris and Teddy McCook who asked me to make myself available for service as an executive member of the JAAA's under the presidency of (Pat) Patrick Anderson. There is so much to learn and so much to do that I can only focus on doing what I do and doing it well.
I have always asked the creator to lead me and I am thankful for where he as taken me.
- Anthony Foster
