Paul "Frosty" Francis, the long-time director of Ivy League basketball officials passed away Sunday at the age of 76.
Francis spent his entire lifetime in athletics. He spent more than four decades involved in officiating.
He acted both as a high school and collegiate referee and rose to the rank of Executive Director of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials.
He was the ECAC director of basketball officials for 16 years.
In addition, he was coordinator of officials for both the Ivy League and Patriot League.
In 2002 he was awarded the George L. Shiebler award by the ECAC for the ECAC official who has demonstrated the greatest dedication.
However, that year, Francis was involved in an automobile accident and was forced to resign his post at the helm of Ivy League officiating.
Prior to his involvement in the collegiate ranks, Francis was the athletic director and coach at Kingswood High School in West Hartford, Conn.
"He's one of the finest men I've ever worked with as an administrator," said Kingswood associate athletic director Joe Alissi to the Hartford Courant. "He was such a hard worker, involved in so many things and just a wonderful person to be around."
-- Matt Meltzer
