Fran starred in baseball and basketball at Poly High School, and he continues to leave his mark on Riverside sports to this day.
As a youth, he played baseball in summer leagues against Jackie Robinson and Ewell Blackwell. He was the star shortstop for Poly’s unbeaten Citrus Belt League champions in 1938. Fran was selected Outstanding High School Athlete in 1940. In college, he received All League honors in baseball, basketball and football for the Santa Barbara Gouchos.
Fran returned to Riverside and taught physical education at Central Junior High School from 1949-56. He remained active in recreation leagues, playing baseball and softball. He coached baseball at Ramona High School from 1956-66. He coached tennis at Riverside Community College from 1967-82 before retiring.
Though he had played tennis for years, he did not take up the sport seriously until he was 65. He won six international age-group tennis championships in singles and doubles from 1993-2000, traveling to such countries as Spain, France and Austria. He also won 37 national age-group tennis championships in singles and doubles from 1992-2002.
He served in the South Pacific for the U.S. Navy in World War II.
