Two Sports, Two National Titles: Eric Francis '21

Not every athlete can proudly say that they hold two national titles in two different collegiate sports, but Eric Francis '21 is setting the gold standard for adaptive athletes by doing just that. After playing on a national champion Wheelchair Basketball team in 2022–2023, he added to the medals around his neck this August by taking home a Para Track and Field national title in discus and a second-place finish in shot put, making Mr. Francis the first Golden Bear to achieve such a feat.

A prominent competitor in the University of Alabama’s Adapted Athletics program, Mr. Francis has accomplished all this while completing a bachelor’s degree in marketing and working toward a master’s degree in the same subject. 

“I have one more year of eligibility in basketball — you get five years — and my third season of track is coming up. Still, I plan on taking a little time off to get some rest,” he said with a laugh.

So, how exactly does it feel to earn two national titles: one in a team sport and one as an individual?

“It feels great!” he said. “It’s a great feeling and a testament to my work ethic and how I push myself and keep grinding. It started at Holy Innocents’, where I had a lot of support in getting gym time, and there were always people around me who were supportive of everything I was trying to do.”

Keith White, director of multicultural affairs at HIES, played a key role in providing that support. He looks back on Mr. Francis’s time at HIES with nothing but positive things to say about his accomplishments on the court, on the field and in the classroom. 

“We are incredibly proud of him, not only for becoming a two-time national champion but also for the person he is. His intelligence, integrity and relentless work ethic have always set him apart. From his days on campus practicing with tenacity and purpose to his infectious smile that lights up every room he enters, he has always been the kind of person you can’t help but root for. Eric represents the very best of the Golden Bear community!”

Mr. Francis earned his most recent medals this summer after earning qualifying marks at the Para Track and Field Hartford Nationals in Connecticut.

“I had to throw 10.45 meters in the shot and 31.45 in the discus to qualify for nationals,” he said. “Going into it, we competed in three meets in July, and each time I hit personal bests. I just wanted to keep building on that momentum.”

And build on the momentum he did – Mr. Francis then moved on to the 2025 Toyota USATF Outdoor & Para National Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where he earned his national title in discus and a second-place finish in shot put. 

“It was a bit different from Hartford to Eugene, though. In Hartford, I competed against some high school kids and some collegians, while in Eugene it was mostly men and college athletes. I knew I had a chance in both events, but really I just wanted to walk away knowing I’d hit the standards and kept throwing well.”

Looking to the present, there appears to be no rest for the weary. Eric will begin the basketball season again in September, with competition running through May. Shortly after, he’ll take off the basketball shoes and start throwing again, as track season runs through the beginning of August.

“Looking at it all so far, it’s been a great experience,” he added. “In basketball, I’ve been part of a group of people who have bonded and come together as a unit. It’s been the same dynamic in track, and it’s a great feeling knowing that my work won’t go unseen.”

No, it won’t. And it wouldn’t be surprising if there are even more medals draped around his neck soon.

–Dunn Neugebauer