Marist University Athletics

Matt Francis, a 2010 Marist graduate, is in his second season as assistant coach of the men's lacrosse program. His responsibilities include face-offs, wing play as well as working with the defense and other aspects of the program.

During his playing career Francis was a face-off specialist for the Red Foxes. Following his junior season, he ranked seventh in the nation in face-off percentage with a mark of .576 and fifth in ground balls per game. Francis scooped up 6.46 ground balls per game. As a senior, he won 158 face-offs and helped guide Marist to the MAAC Semifinals, its first conference championship appearance since 2006.

Academically, Francis won a number of awards during his senior year including the President's Academic Achievement Award and the Strength and Conditioning Award. The President's Academic Achievement Award is given out annually to the male and female student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average. Additionally, Francis was named Second Team Academic All-District by ESPN The Magazine as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) on the at-large ballot in 2010.

Francis is currently pursuing his Master's in Business Administration with an concentration in ethical leadership. He is expected to graduate in May 2012. Francis resides in Poughkeepsie.