Coach
City Honors High School (Buffalo Public)
With a 34-year career as a teacher and coach in the Buffalo Public Schools, Drake M. Francescone left a lasting impression on student-athletes.
Francescone spent 23 years as head coach of varsity boys and girls swimming, tennis, cross country, softball, girls volleyball, and boys basketball at City Honors. He may be best known for his accomplishments as a head coach in girls volleyball when he led City Honors to four NYSPHSAA State Championships, 11 consecutive Buffalo City championships and six Section VI titles. Coach Francescone also led City Honors to another NYSPHSAA State title in 2003 when he guided the boys basketball team to a championship. During his time as basketball coach, he added three more Sectional titles to his resume. As a coach of both the girls and boys swimming teams, Francescone compiled a 70-3 career mark which included six Syracuse Cup titles and a string of 57 consecutive dual meet victories. Another sport where he coached both boys and girls teams was cross country in which he posted an 82-1 record and six Buffalo City championships with the girls, and a 94-1 record and six more Buffalo City crowns with the boys.
Despite his success as a coach, his legacy was not measured solely by wins and losses. He had a genuine concern for the welfare of student-athletes in Buffalo and was known to make a positive impact on every student-athlete he coached. His philosophies included putting academics first before any athletic contest and making sure his student-athletes represented their school and community with pride. For numerous years he organized special tutoring for his players who needed additional academic assistance.
A lifelong Buffalo resident, Mr. Francescone graduated from Kenmore West High School in 1966 before continuing his education at Indiana University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in 1970. He went on to earn his Masters degree in 1972 at Niagara University.
Inducted into NYSPHSAA Hall of Fame in 2006
* Posthumously awarded
