Not all outstanding athletes make outstanding coaches or officials when their days of competing are over. Fran Long, is one who is an exception to the rule. While at Irwin High School Fran qualified to the state track meet in 11 events, was a three time state champion and set the Class C meet record for the chute start 220 yard dash, running 22.0 which converts to 21.9. After high school, Fran took his talents to Iowa State where he became an all Big 8 performer, an NCAA qualifier, a team captain and a school record holder in the 400.
Fort Dodge high school, in 1971, was Fran’s next stop and he has been a high school science teacher there ever since. He coached track at Fort Dodge until 1980. He has officiated football, basketball and track for over 40 years and has kept especially close to track and field working as a starter and referee for over 37 years. In his officiating career Fran has started over 25 state qualifying meets and 10 state championship meets and works over 45 track and field and cross country meets per year.
Fran was selected the Girls track and field official of the year by the NFHS in 2004, their Boys Cross Country official of the year in 2006 and their Boys Track and Field official of the year in 2013. The Iowa Association of Track Officials selected Fran as its Cross Country official of the year in 2006, the boy’s track and field official of the year in 2011 and the girl’s track and field official of the year in 2013.