Francour To Lead Lawrence University Tennis Programs
Steve Francour, who guided the UW-Oshkosh men's and women's tennis teams for the past 23 seasons, was named Tuesday (June 25) as the new head men's and women's tennis coach at Lawrence University.
“We are tremendously excited to announce the hiring of Steve,” Lawrence University Director of Athletics Mike Szkodzinski said. “During the interview process and after speaking with a number of people who know Steve well, it was clear that Steve would be the right person to lead our men’s and women’s tennis programs. His vast experience will benefit not only our scholar-athletes, but our staff as well. We look forward to watching Steve lead us toward a Midwest Conference title in the near future.”
A native of South Milwaukee, Francour brings experience and nearly 400 dual match victories to Lawrence University.
“Fate had a bit of a hand in leading me to this new opportunity,” Francour said. “The timing is just right with respect to my career, and I am very much looking forward to refreshing the challenge of building a successful program. I am grateful to the Lawrence University administration and the school's athletic department for giving me the chance."
During his tenure at UW-Oshkosh, Francour’s men’s teams posted a 240-239 record. Despite the fact that the UW-Oshkosh men’s program competed as an independent, Francour guided the Titans to the NCAA Division III postseason tournament in 1996, 1997 and 2001.
UW-Oshkosh posted double-digit victories 14 times under Francour, including 10 consecutive winning seasons from 1994-2003. Francour had 30 of his players selected for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-Academic Team.
On the women’s side, Francour compiled a coaching record of 156-150. Francour led the Titans to three second- and two third-place finishes in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). He received the league’s Coach of the Year honor in 2011 after UW-Oshkosh compiled a 9-8 record.
Francour’s 2000 team set the UW-Oshkosh season record with 14 wins, and Jennifer Pekulik represented the Titans at the NCAA Division III Championship after going 16-3 at No. 1 singles. Francour coached seven conference singles champions, four doubles champions and three WIAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year winners. The Titans had 35 players selected to the ITA All-Academic Team.
“I completed my undergraduate degree at UW-Oshkosh and was part of the tennis program all four years. After graduate school at Baylor University (Texas), I was fortunate to be considered for the head coaching position at my alma mater,” Francour said. “Twenty-three years later, I can say it has been quite the honor to have developed great relationships with my colleagues and student-athletes. I leave UW-Oshkosh with countless fond memories and friendships that will hopefully continue into my new chapter at Lawrence University.”
Francour earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management from UW-Oshkosh in 1988 and a master’s degree in sports administration from Baylor University in 1989.
Francour has been the head tennis professional at the Oshkosh Country Club since 1993 and at the Butte des Morts Country Club since 2008. He also has been the director of tennis at the Oshkosh YMCA Tennis Center since 1998.
"Steve has been an outstanding representative for our tennis program the past 23 years," said UW-Oshkosh Director of Athletics Darryl Sims. "He consistently produced squads that were competitive on the court and successful in the classroom. Steve's contribution to UW-Oshkosh as a player and coach is immeasurable and I thank him for his years of service."
Francour and his wife, Patty, have a son, Cade.
Francour succeeds Kevin Girard, who coached the Lawrence University men’s and women’s teams for six seasons.
Photo courtesy of ProProductions