(LEBANON, Ill., Aug. 12)—McKendree University President Daniel C. Dobbins announced on Wednesday that Anthony Francis has been elevated into the role of Interim Director of Athletics for the institution. Francis takes over the department leadership from Chuck Brueggemann, who moved into a new role within the University on Monday.
 
"Anthony has performed at a very high level since his arrival at McKendree," said President Dobbins. "Anthony's understanding of NCAA compliance requirements, experience working with the leadership of the Great Lakes Valley Conference and his strong relationships with both our coaches and student-athletes will all serve him well as he takes on this important role at McKendree."

Among his many duties at McKendree, Francis is the advisor for the Bearcats' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). The group has been involved in several fundraising initiatives tied to NCAA Division II projects over the past several years and was also instrumental in creating an annual year-end program, the Bearcatspys, to honor top individual and team accomplishments throughout the academic year. 
 
"I would like to thank President Dobbins for the support and trust he has in providing me this tremendous opportunity," said Francis. "I also want to thank Chuck Brueggemann for setting the bar high in the type of athletic department we want to emulate. His counsel over the past three-plus years will be invaluable as I move forward in this role. This department is blessed with a group of over-achieving, competitive, passionate and relentless group of coaches and staff. It is an absolute honor to serve McKendree as Interim Director of Athletics. It's a responsibility that you can trust I won't take lightly."

In just a short amount of time at McKendree, Francis has become heavily involved in national compliance matters. He serves on the National Association of Athletics Compliance (NAAC) Reasonable Standards Committee and was also a NAAC session speaker at the organization's national convention in 2018 and 2019. Francis was also honored by NAAC in receiving its Rising Star Award in 2019. 

Along with his involivement with NAAC, Francis is a member of the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA). 

At McKendree, in addition to overseeing the entire compliance department for the Bearcats, Francis has oversight for the sports of men's and women's soccer, men's and women's tennis, baseball, women's lacrosse, men's and women's golf, and men's and women's powerlifting. He also oversees the daily functions of the strength and conditioning, sports information and game management offices. 

Francis joined the McKendree staff after serving in the compliance office at California Baptist University. Francis arrived at California Baptist in 2013 before taking on the role of assistant director of compliance in January 2014. In that position, Francis helped ensure that the Lancers' programs adhered to all institutional, conference, and NCAA bylaws and regulations. He also monitored the online NCAA Compliance Assistant program, served as a co-advisor to CBU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and assisted with the daily operations of the compliance office.
 
A member of the National Association of Athletics Compliance (NAAC), Francis also helped prepare squad lists and eligibility reports, monitored weekly practice logs and helped evaluate transcripts of incoming and transfer student-athletes to help determine eligibility at California Baptist. Francis first gained experience in the educational field as a development intern at the University of California at Riverside in the spring and summer of 2013.
 
Francis arrived in California after spending a decade living in Anchorage, Alaska. The product of a military family, Francis has lived in several different locations around the globe. He was born in Mississippi but has spent time living in Turkey and Maryland as well as Alaska.  Francis also lived in the Metro East as his mother was stationed at nearby Scott Air Force Base, where he attended O'Fallon Township High School.
 
Francis earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Alaska-Anchorage in 2012 and his master's degree in kinesiology-sport management from California Baptist in 2014. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in organizational leadership. Francis and his wife, Cerelia, are the proud parents of two sons, Braylon (4) and Tristan (2).