Temple University Athletics
Bruce Francis: Changing Focus
10.22.08 | Football
Oct. 22, 2008
Complete Francis Feature Story in PDF Format 
When 22-year old wide receiver Bruce Francis wakes each morning, the first thought that pops into his head is not football. Or classes. Or his school record reception streak. It's his newborn niece-- Samaje.
Last December, Francis' younger sister Mercedes gave the family the first grandchild. And Uncle Bruce couldn't be prouder.
"My sister's so young, and I'm around the baby so much; it feels like she's mine," Francis said. "I was already on the right path before she was born; I was already focused, but now it just brings a whole new level of meaning."
When Francis first arrived on the Temple campus, he was happy to be closer to home after spending a year at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va. The Sicklerville, N.J., native wasn't ready to live so far away from his family. His decision to attend Temple has been an added blessing in giving him more family time while continuing his education.
"That was one of those things that really woke me up and made me realize that I'm not accustomed to being away from home," Francis said of his year away. "And I'm not really ready to be away from home now. I only live 20 minutes over the bridge, so I could go home everyday if I wanted to."
But Francis has plenty of things to keep him busy on the North Broad Street campus. The 6-0, 188-lb. senior is one of just a handful of fourth-year seniors. He has seen the metamorphosis and rebirth of Temple football during his collegiate career.
"Before Coach Golden got here, when I was a freshman, I used to commute," Francis shared. "We didn't have to go to class. Nobody ever checked our classes. Practice was probably a little bit longer, but it was a lot less disciplined. If you had homework or a project, you could just do that instead of practicing."
"I think Coach Golden has instilled discipline and focus," Francis continued, "and that we can win. We haven't fully grasped that yet--how to win. But I think he's turned that around."
A preseason All-MAC selection by Phil Steele's College Football, Francis joined the program as a true freshman in the fall of 2005 as a walk-on. He has since earned a scholarship. Named the recipient of the team's inaugural Gavin White, Jr., Walk-On Award in the spring of 2006, Francis earned All-MAC honors last fall by Phil Steele Publications after averaging a team-best 73.1 receiving yards per game.
The Owls' top receiver in yardage and receptions, Francis is in the midst of a three-year, 32-game, school record reception streak (as of Oct 10). He needs just three touchdowns to become Temple's all-time leader in receiving touchdowns while standing sixth in career receptions. Half of those records should belong to senior quarterback Adam DiMichele, who has chosen Francis as one of his favorite throwing targets over the last three seasons.
"Adam and I have a brother-brother relationship," Francis said. "I know a lot of receivers and quarterbacks say that, but we talk on the phone; we text message. It's one of those things you expect, but we take it to the next level. When we get new plays or we get a new third down script or a new offense, we call each other. Then we come out on the field and execute it. I look at Adam as a brother. I don't see him as my quarterback."
DiMichele agrees.
"Bruce is one of those guys I can always count on," the senior signal caller said. "I know he's going to give everything he's got on every play, and here at Temple, that's the type of player the team rallies around. Basically, what it comes down to, and the game is on the line, I know Bruce wants the ball, and nine times out of 10, he will make a huge play. I consider myself lucky to have had a wide receiver like him to throw to the last three years here."
Francis' impact on the team isn't just reflected in his statistics either.
"Bruce Francis brings a tremendous amount to our football team, starting with his work ethic and his focus on improving his fundamentals and his competitive nature and his toughness," wide receiver coach Kevin Gilbride said.
With receptions streaks and career records hanging in the balance, Francis keeps everything in the proper focus.
"Believe it or not, it doesn't really worry me too much," he said of the streak. "That's the last thing on my mind. I know it sounds cliché, but honestly it's one of those things that you think about before the game. But once I'm in the game, that's the last thing that's on my mind. It's never been about that. And maybe that's why I've kept it for so long, because that's not what I've been focused on. I believe that if you start to focus on things like that, then you start to drop the easy ones. That's how you lose it."
Through the years, Francis has learned valuable lessons on and off the field. He shares his experiences with his younger teammates, too.
"I've learned that once you relax, the game slows down a whole lot," he said. "When I was a freshman, everything was moving so fast. My first game was against the Miami Hurricanes. My second game was against the Clemson Tigers. Everything was moving so fast, and everybody was much bigger and much more skilled than me. I was out there winging it; I didn't know what I was doing."
Four years later, Francis is a key component to the Temple offense and a team leader.
"I learned that you get what you put into the game. If you work hard and you practice hard, you will be rewarded in one way or another," Francis said. "There are always a lot of distractions when you get to college, and there are a lot of things that could steer you wrong. When you get here as a freshman and you're used to being All-State and all that coming out of high school, you used to start and have everybody on your side. But when you get to college, everybody on the team is like that. So you just need to learn your role. Stay focused on the books and on your education. Keep your head on straight and listen to your coaches and older players. They will keep you on the right path."
Francis' proudest moments with Temple football have nothing to do with the game on the field, but with focusing on the game of life.
"The biggest thing I'm proud of is changing my vision and how I see leadership and actually performing and executing it on a daily basis,' he revealed. "Coach Golden and his staff have changed me into a person that can lead to heights that I didn't know I could. I'm appreciative of that, and I plan to take that into whatever it is I do after (graduation)."
For Francis, there are only five regular-season games left in his collegiate career. The fourth- year senior will graduate in May with a degree in criminal justice. Like he's done at Temple, Francis wants to continue to make the world a better, safer place.
"I have an extremely high interest in law," Francis said. "The drug enforcement agency is one of those agencies that is trying to make the community and the streets a better place. I think protecting any community that I will work in will be like protecting my niece and my sister."
For now, Francis will concentrate on finishing classes and chasing his 10-month niece around before having a family of his own.
"My niece is a handful right now. She's getting bigger," the proud uncle said. "I'm just enjoying her time right now. I have to graduate first and make sure I'm financially stable."
