She has served as a Board Member for The Compass Center in South Dakota, helping with sexual assault awareness and prevention.
Francis played college basketball at Colgate University where she was a four-year starter and three-time team captain.
From 1994–1996, she was the head coach at Stony Brook University, then an NCAA Division II program, where she compiled a 30–48 record.
[1][4] In October 2012, Francis revealed in an interview with the Associated Press that she had been sexually abused by her father between the ages of 4 and 13.
[5] Despite the separation, Russi and Francis have remained closely connected with the school and attended the inauguration for current President Geoge W. Hynd as VIP guests.
[6] The school released a statement that an investigation began in April after concerns about her conduct and behavior, and that Francis had been terminated with cause.