Fran Welch came to ESU in 1914 and lettered in football, basketball, and baseball.  When he quarterbacked the football team, the Hornets had a 24-1-2 record.  In 24 years as a football coach, he compiled a 116-81-15 mark, and his teams won six conference titles.  Although he never competed in track as an athlete, as ESU’s coach, his track and cross country teams claimed 18 league crowns, four NAIA cross country championships, one NAIA track title, and one NCAA small college cross country title.  In 1960 he coached the field event competitors on the United State Women’s Olympic team.  Welch also is a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame.  ESU’s football stadium was renamed Welch Stadium in 1960 in his honor.