Stephen Francis’ legacy will extend beyond the track and into the classroom, as the Jamaican Government moves to establish a scholarship at the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech), in honour of the legendary coach. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange made the announcement during Francis’ August 15 thanksgiving service at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St Andrew, saying Government will consult with UTech and his family to determine how best to create a lasting tribute to the man whose MVP Track Club helped produce some of Jamaica’s most celebrated athletes.
Francis, affectionately known as “Franno”, died on July 4 after a period of illness. At the thanksgiving service, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in a message delivered by Finance Minister Fayval Williams, hailed Francis for helping transform Jamaica’s approach to developing elite athletes at home. “Stephen ‘Franno’ Francis helped build a culture in which Jamaican excellence could be developed at home and displayed before the world,” Holness said, pointing to the coach’s role in producing Olympic and world champions, record holders and household names.
Grange similarly highlighted Francis’ belief in Jamaican talent and his determination to develop it locally. “He proved we did not need an overseas college or camp to run 9.7 seconds,” she said, underscoring the philosophy behind the success of MVP. Athletes including Asafa Powell, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shericka Jackson, Kishane Thompson, Tajay Gayle, Sherone Simpson and Brigitte Foster-Hylton were among those whose careers were shaped by Francis’ coaching.
The scale of his contribution was further reflected in a remembrance delivered by MVP President Bruce James, who cited 37 Olympic medals, 93 World Athletics Championships medals, seven world records, four Olympic records, 33 national senior records and four national junior records among the achievements associated with Francis’ coaching legacy. Former MVP star Asafa Powell also recalled how Francis challenged the belief that Jamaican athletes had to travel overseas to become world-class, saying his own 100 metres world record helped demonstrate what Jamaican coaching could produce.
UTech President Dr Kevin Brown welcomed the proposed scholarship, noting the university’s deep connection to MVP and Francis’ vision of developing elite Jamaican athletes on home soil. “We look forward to giving that scholarship to a worthy recipient in the new academic year,” Brown said. As consultations between the Government, UTech and Francis’ family continue, the planned scholarship is poised to turn one of Jamaica’s greatest athletics legacies into an opportunity for another generation to pursue excellence.
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