Francis L. Kraus

Born in Fulton, New York in 1899, Kraus attended Fulton High School and Dean Academy. He also attended Colgate University from 1920-21 and Hobart College in Geneva, New York from 1921-24, graduating in 1924 with a B.S. degree.

At Fulton High School and Dean Academy, he played varsity football, basketball and baseball. At Colgate, he was a varsity football letterman in 1920 and won his freshman basketball numerals in 1921.

At Hobart, he was a varsity football letterman for three years, varsity basketball letterman for three years and varsity lacrosse letterman for two years. He was captain of the 1923 football team, 1924 basketball team and a lacrosse All-American in 1924. In addition, he was on the New York State Small College All-Star team in football in 1922 and 1923 and played in the Buffalo All-American Professional League in 1924 and in basketball on the New York State All-Star team in 1924.

Babe's coaching history at Hobart College includes varsity and freshman football, varsity and freshman basketball, varsity and freshman lacrosse, and varsity baseball. In addition, he was on the North coaching staff for the North/South games in 1942, 1947 and 1954. He coached at Hobart for 40 years, and his teams won 207, lost 120, and tied 5.

Kraus' long list of activities for the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association include: Executive Board, 1932, 1933, 1960, 1961 and 1962; Rules Committee, 1945 and 1946; NCAA Lacrosse Rules Committee, 1945 and 1946; Advisory Rules Committee, 1963 and 1964; Development of Lacrosse Committee, 1939; All-American Committee, 1941; All-American Advisory Committee, 1952, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, and 1966; Nominating Committee, 1962 and 1963; Man of the Year Award Committee, 1963 and 1964. In addition to coaching duties, Babe's athletic interest at Hobart included graduate manager of athletics from 1931 to 1963, and director of athletics from 1932 to 1963.

Babe Kraus passed away in 1966.