University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

Francis Baxter enjoyed tremendous success during his long tenure as tennis coach at UCO, directing the men’s program for 36 years (1970-06) and women for 26 years (1980-06).

He led the men’s and women’s teams to six NAIA District 9 championships in the 1980s while taking the men to three NAIA national tournaments and the women to one.  Baxter also guided his teams to eight combined NCAA Division II national tournament appearances, six for the men and two for the women. 

Francis was named Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year for the women in 1998 and the men in 2004, while also claiming Division II Coach of the Year accolades for the men in 1996.

He coached 14 players who earned NAIA or Division II All-America honors a combined 25 times, including the school’s first-ever Division II national champion (Charl Bornman). 

Baxter was also the driving force behind UCO hosting the NCAA Division II national tournament in 1991, ‘92, ‘93 and ‘96 in addition to the ITA/Rolex National Small College Championships in 1993 and ‘94.