The service, set to begin at 2 p.m. in the Black and Gold Room of the Fort Hays Stte University Memorial Union, is open to the public.

The program will include comments from former athletes and fellow coaches, as well as a video presentation. Anyone attending the service will be encouraged to share their favorite memories with "The Coach".

Francis, who coached track and cross country at Fort Hays State from 1946 to 1979, died early this fall at the age of 91.

During his 34 year FHSU coaching career, Francis led his teams to 25 conference championships and guided 139 Tiger athletes to All-American status. He also coached the distance runners on the 1968 United States Olympic Team, served at home and abroad as a track and field consultant, was named to the Kansas State High School Activities Association Hall of Fame, was the recipient of an Outstanding Faculty Member Award at FHSU, and was inducted into the prestigious State of Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.