By Jim Hague
Even before Jonathan Frances ever laced up the cleats and put on the gloves to become a goalkeeper for the Rutgers-Newark men’s soccer team for the first time eight years ago, he was a well traveled young man.
Frances was born in Israel, then moved to France when he was just 4 years old. He was raised in Paris, then moved to the United States, settling in Chandler, Arizona.
But then when he was about to become a junior in high school, Frances moved with his family to Costa Rica for one year, then back to Arizona.
His luggage has more stickers from ports of call than any travel agent.
Frances was a standout soccer goalie wherever he landed up, but as a senior at Chandler High School in Arizona, he truly believed he was headed to the University of Michigan.
“That was my original intention,” Frances said.
But on a whim, Frances sent a highlight tape to Rutgers-Newark men’s head soccer coach Kevin East _ and the rest was history. Well, sort of.
“Coach East reached out to me,” Frances said. “Incredibly, at that time, I was in New York visiting family, so it worked out really well. I was excited to be able to come to Rutgers-Newark.
Coach East was great. He had faith in me to bring me in. It meant a lot, especially coming from out of state. At that time (2007), Coach East was new to the program, so he had the chance to bring in a freshman goalkeeper.”
Frances started 14 matches that 2007 season, posting a 3-10-1 record with a 2.32 goals against average.
“It was a good learning experience for me,” Frances said. “The NJAC is the toughest Division III league in soccer. I was able to play at a high level.”
But Frances’ vagabond shoes were longing to stray. Instead of becoming a fixture in net for the Scarlet Raiders, Frances transferred to NCAA Division I University of North Carolina-Charlotte.
“I had a chance to go play Division I soccer,” Frances said. “But I got hurt right away and never got the chance to play there.”
Once again, the traveling man was on the road, heading back to France for a stint.
“I took a year off from my studies to deal with some family-related issues,” Frances said in 2011 in a prior interview. “I put my studies on hold.”
After a respite, Frances longed to come back to the United States and he made one more call to Coach East to see if he could return to the Scarlet Raiders.
“I had to make sure that all my credits would transfer to Rutgers-Newark,” Frances said. “My academics were always a priority. Coach East assured me that I would play. He was open to have me come back on the team. I couldn’t think of a better place to resume my studies.”
In 2011, at the age of 22, Frances rejoined the Scarlet Raiders and was a standout in net.
“Coach East made a really big difference in my life,” Frances said. “After the first couple of years, I was determined to finish it out.”
Frances helped to lead the Scarlet Raiders to the 2011 ECAC Division III Metro New York-New Jersey championship.
“It was a great way for me to finish my schooling,” Frances said. “I couldn’t think of a better way. Everything was so very positive. Coach East and his staff helped me so much when it was needed. It was a tremendous experience. I really felt at home.”
That says a lot for someone who bounced around the globe as much as Frances did.
After graduation, Frances has now settled in Peoria, Illinois, working for a logistics firm called Caterpillar. Frances is a program manager, negotiating contracts for transportation services.
“It’s a fast, dynamic field,” said Frances, who has made his way back to several R-N soccer matches over the years. “It’s really a great feeling to be working in this field.”
Frances credits his success in the business world to his tenure _ albeit interrupted _ at R-N.
“I was really set for success through Rutgers-Newark,” Frances said. “I got the opportunity to be involved with some of the top soccer players around. Coach East was there to support me, both on and off the field. Being a student and an athlete meant so much to me back then. I learned to be discipline. I learned about my surroundings. I learned so much. I’m very grateful to Rutgers-Newark to help me get where I am today.”
And for now, Jonathan Francis has found a permanent home in Illinois. Notice the use of the term “for now.”
“I’m very happy where I am at in my life,” Frances said. “I’ve traveled a lot, but I think I’ve settled down now.”
