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Ron Francis: A Shining Star Among Many By Deborah Riley rable seasons were “winning two Stanley Staff Writer Cups" while playing with the Pittsburgh , a cen­ Penguins. He joined the Penguins during ter, has proven that he has what it takes to the 1990-91 season. It was during his first stand out among the many National Hockey season with Pittsburgh that Francis and his League players out there these days. He teammates won the , the most plays hard and gets the job done. (He holds coveted prize of the NHL. The following the team records to prove it.) He also acts season (91-92), Francis and the Penguins as a leader both on and off the ice. won the Cup again. In 533 games with the Francis grew up in Sault Ste. Mane, team, Francis had 613 points. , Canada. As a child, he admired Francis also had his most impressive his father because “he always made a rmk season (statistically) while playing with the for me in the backyard. He always took the Penguins. During the 1995-96 season, lime to teach me the game (of hockey).” Francis scored 27 goals and assisted on 92 While still in his teen years, during the others for a total o f 119 points in 77 games. 1980-81 and the 1981-82 seasons, Francis He finished third on the team in scoring played for the Sault Ste. M ane Greyhounds behind and Jaromir Jagr re- of the . (The OHL spectively. F/iolo by Deborah Riltv is a major junior league in Canada.) After He signed with the Carolina Hurricanes These days, Ron Francis is a member ship is demonstrated by his willingness to playing in 89 games with the team, he had in July of 1998. Although it was a different of a team overflowing with talent. From promote the Hurricanes. Francis and team­ 117 points. team, Francis was once again playing for offensive to defensive, the ‘Canes have it mate Jeff O’Neill paid a visit to Fayetteville In 1981, Francis was drafted by the the organization that had drafted him in ’ 81. all. But Francis seems to stand out above in August as a part o f the “Canes Caravan”. Hartford (CT) Whalers organization. He The had been moved to the rest. Only he has the distinction of be­ The program is set up to inform people in began his rookie NHL year playing for the and renamed the Hurricanes ing the number one player in categories the surrounding areas about hockey. Francis Whalers during the 1981-82 season. He in 1997. In his first season with the ‘Canes, such as most games played (796), most and O ’Neill spent the day signing autographs remained with the team through most o f its Francis had 52 points in 82 games. This goals (285), and most assists (588) as well and teaching area kids about hockey. 1990-91 season. Francis had 821 points in season will be Francis’s 19th as an NHL as others for the Whalers Hurricanes. only 714 games with the Whalers. player and second as a member of the Hur- While his on-ice leadership is demon­ According to Francis, his most memo­ strated by his numbers, his off-ice leader­ UPCOMING SPORTS EVENTS

Men’s Golf Football Men’s Soccer Oct. 24-25 Oct. 12 fct. 16 Rolex National Match Play HAMPDEN-SYDNEY 4:00 p.m. Catholic 1:00 p.HL Nov 1-2 Oct. 18 Oct. 23 Aubrey Apple Collegiate WESLEY 1:00 p.m. Savannah Art & Design 8:00p.m. Oct. 30 Oct. 23 Women’s Golf GREENSBORO 1:30 p.m. FERRUM 3:00 p.m. Oct 25-26 HOMECOMING GAME Oct. 24 Gardner-Webb/ Deer Brook Invitational Nov. 6 ROANOKE 2:00 p.m. Oct. 30 Thomas More 1:00 p.m. MARYWASHINGTON 3:00 p.m. Nov. 13 VoUeybaU Nov. 3 APPRENTICE 1:00 p.m. Oct. 12 GREENSBORO 4:00 p.m. NC WESLEYAN 7:00 pjn. Nov. 6 Oct. 13 Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Shenandoah 1:00 p.m. FERRUM 7:00 p.m. Oct. 14 Crosstown Classic at Fayetteville State Oct. 21 Women’s Soccer Meredith 7:00 p.m. Oct. 23 ^ -• Mason-Dixon Conference Meet at Greensboro Oct. la Oct. 26 Randolph-Macon 4:00 p.m. Greensboro 7:00 p.m. Oct. 30 D JA.C. Meet at Greensboro Oct. 16 Oct. 30 MARYWASHINGTON 3:00 p.m. C. NEWPORT w/ SHENANDOAH Nov. 13 NCAA-III South Regional at Sewanee Oct. 18 10 a.m./4 p.m. Savannah Art & Design 6:00 p.m. Nov. 2 Oct. 22 Averett 7:00 p.m. CONCORDL^i (MN) 4:00 p.m. Nov 5-6 Oct. 23 DIAC Tournament at NCW