KALAMAZOO -- The Western Michigan Division of Intercollegiate Athletics would like to extend its condolences to the friends and family of Fran Ebert. Ebert passed away Friday morning at home with her family and friends.
Ebert has been associated with WMU athletics since 1964 when she began an 18-year stint as head women's basketball coach. She retired in 1982 with a career record of 186-113 and three state Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) championships and three runner-up finishes in the state.
Ebert was also the head softball coach at Western Michigan for nine years after founding the program in 1976. She won 69.9 percent of her games with a career record of 270-116-1, including two trips to the 1980 and 1981 AIAW World Series and the 1982 NCAA College World Series. The Broncos finished fourth in 1980, ninth in 1981 and fifth in 1982. Ebert also led the Broncos to the 1984 Mid-American Conference championship.
She coached two All-Americans in second baseman Linda Berndt and pitcher Bonni Kinne, in addition to 23 AIAW All-State and First Team All-MAC players.
In recognition of her contributions, the softball field was renamed in her honor, Fran Ebert Field, in 1985.
Ebert has been recognized by both WMU and the MAC by being inducted into the WMU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1986 and MAC Hall of Fame in 1992.
"Fran Ebert was at Western Michigan when I started as a coach in 1979 and it's been my honor to have a relationship with her for nearly 30 years. I consider her a true friend and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work alongside her," Western Michigan Director of Athletics Kathy Beauregard said. "I've always admired the way she chose to live her life and she has been a role model for me during my career. She has had a profound impact on the lives of thousands of student-athletes and she is a true icon of women's basketball and softball at Western Michigan University."
There will be no visitation, but a memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. on Thursday, November 13 at Western Michigan's Kanley Chapel, located on WMU's campus on W. Michigan Ave., past the Administration building, with Pastor Buff Coe of Vicksburg United Methodist Church officiating. In celebration of Fran's life, fellowship and refreshments will immediately follow the service at the WMU Seeyle Center, located on Stadium Drive next to Waldo Stadium.
In Lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to: The WMU Foundation/Designated to Mike Gary Athletic Fund (Memorial contributions will be made to the Women's Basketball Locker Room Renovation Project in Memory of Fran) or WMU - Softball Women's Team or Borgess VNA & Hospice. Arrangements made by Redmond Funeral Home 4100 S. Westnedge 269-343-6156.
