Eastern Connecticut State University

Francis E. Geissler is primarily responsible for the development of the university’s intercollegiate athletic program. The school’s first director of athletics, the Broad Brook native began the baseball program in the late ‘40s, serving as head coach for 16 seasons. In 1948, Geissler took over as head basketball coach in that program’s infancy, remaining in that capacity through the 1961-62 season. In 14 years as head basketball coach, Geissler won 146 games and lost 112, posting ten winning seasons and winning the 1958-59 New England Teachers College Conference (NETCC) title. In 1964, Geissler was appointed university Registrar and held that position until his retirement in January, 1977. Soon after his retirement, the Sports Center gymnasium was named the Francis E. Geissler Gymnasium.