ROCHESTER, Mich. - President Dr. Gary Russi and women's basketball head coach Beckie Francis received The Honorary Alumni Award, announced at the Alumni Awards Banquet on Saturday night.

Francis was named Mid-Con Coach of the Year in 2006-07 after leading the Golden Grizzlies to their third regular season title in her eight years behind the bench. She has also led Oakland to a pair of Mid-Con Tournament Championships and two NCAA Tournament berths. The team made it's first-ever trip to the WNIT Tournament last year, hosting Kentucky.

Francis is a two-time Mid-Con Coach of the Year and her team was recognized for outstanding academic achievement by making the Women's Basketball Coaches Association 2006-07 Top 25 Team Honor Roll for the second consecutive season. The team maintained a 3.515 overall grade point average, and finished sixth in the nation in Div. I.

The 2007-08 women's basketball season will begin on Nov.5, with an exhibition game versus Western Ontario. Tip off is slated for 5 p.m. in the Athletics Center O'Rena.