Honolulu, HI (11/17/10) – Former HPU Men's Basketball Coach Francis Fletcher passed away yesterday. According to sources, the longtime Hawai'i coach died from a fall in his home.

Fletcher most recently coached for the Sea Warriors from 2008-10 under Head Coach Tony Sellitto. Sellitto, who also coached Fletcher at Maryknoll High School, was saddened by the loss. “I've known him since he was my ball boy,” said Sellitto. “He was a great player and a wonderful friend.”

Fletcher prepped at Maryknoll under Sellitto where he was a three-time Hawai'i All-State selection. He then took his game to the collegiate level where he played at Chaminade University. He was named the NAIA District 29 Player of the Year during his time there, and remains one of the school's career leaders in scoring and rebounding.

After playing professionally in Europe for several years, he returned to Hawai'i and rejoined Coach Sellitto, this time as his assistant coach at HPU. He coached 12 seasons for the Sea Warriors, the last two as Associate Head Coach. He was instrumental in the recruitment of two of HPU's most prominent centers, Hannes Haid and Juergen Malbeck. Fletcher was also a member of the 1993 HPU coaching staff that won Hawai'i's first and only collegiate basketball national championship.