WASHINGTON (September 17, 2026) - For Howard University senior swimmer Francoise Hall (Montreal, Quebec, Canada), success has never been measured solely by the time on a scoreboard. While she is chasing faster races in the pool, she is equally committed to creating opportunities for others beyond it.
 
As one of the leaders of Howard's historic swimming & diving program, Hall has embraced a journey defined by resilience, service, academic excellence and representation, proving that her impact stretches far beyond the lanes.
 
A Sports Illustrated Cover That Changed Everything
 
In 2022, Hall saw something she had never truly witnessed before, which was the Howard men's and women's swimming & diving team featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. For many, it was simply another magazine cover. For Hall, it was confirmation that dreams she once thought were distant were possible.
 
"As a Black swimmer, seeing Howard receive that recognition showed me that this goal was achievable," Hall said.
 
Growing up, Hall rarely saw swimmers who looked like her competing at the highest levels. That moment became a reminder that excellence in swimming & diving belongs to everyone and that Howard was helping reshape what representation in the sport could look like.
 
Today, Hall hopes the next generation of young Black swimmers will experience that same feeling of possibility.
 
Leading in the Classroom
 
Hall's excellence is not limited to athletics.
 
An interdisciplinary studies major with a concentration in environmental science, she came to Howard looking for a challenge, both academically and athletically. That challenge only fueled her growth.
 
During her sophomore year, Hall earned acceptance into Howard's Honors Program, further strengthening an already impressive academic path. Her commitment to education began long before college.
 
Before arriving at Howard, the Montreal, Quebec, Canada native was:

• A Governor General's Medal nominee
• An Honor Roll student
• Recipient of a Certificate of Recognition for Exceptional Commitment to Community
• An Alec-Reid Award finalist through the Quebec Student-Athlete Association

 
Her long-term goal extends beyond graduation. Hall hopes to qualify for the 2028 Canadian Olympic Trials, continuing to represent Canada while inspiring more Black athletes to enter competitive swimming.
 
Service That Extends Beyond Campus
 
Community service has become one of Hall's defining passions.
 
She volunteers with the GrassROOTS Community Foundation Health Project in D.C., helping provide health education and wellness opportunities for youth in communities where resources can often be limited.
 
For Hall, the work is personal because she understands the importance of creating spaces where young people feel supported, informed and encouraged to pursue healthier lifestyles. Her dedication to service recently earned her another leadership opportunity.
 
After studying abroad in Africa, Hall became a site coordinator for one of the nonprofit organizations she volunteers with, allowing her to take an even greater role in organizing outreach and community initiatives.
 
Whether she is mentoring young students or coordinating volunteer efforts, Hall believes meaningful change begins with showing up consistently.
 
Studying Wildfires Thousands of Miles from the Pool
 
Hall traded swim lanes for forests this summer, spending six weeks at UCLA where she participated in an environmental science internship, focused on wildfire and forestry research. The experience allowed her to expand her academic interests while gaining valuable research experience in environmental sustainability.
 
Balancing demanding research with Division I athletics is not easy, but Hall views each opportunity as another step toward making an impact beyond sports.
 
Preparing to Race
 
Despite years of collegiate competition, Hall admits one thing has not changed: nervous before every meet. Rather than allowing anxiety to overwhelm her, she has developed routines that help her stay centered and visualization has become one of her most powerful tools.
 
Before stepping onto the blocks, Hall mentally rehearses each race from start-to-finish, allowing herself to picture every turn, stroke and finish.
 
"It helps with my anxiety," Hall said. "I can almost manifest my race."
 
Music also plays an important role, describing it as therapy, something that calms her mind before competition. Her pre-meet playlist includes:

• "Headlines" – Drake
• "Crazy In Love" – Beyoncé
• "SOS" – Rihanna

 
Above everything else, Hall keeps one simple reminder at the center of every race: "Always remember to have fun while swimming."
 
The Importance of Representation
 
Representation has become one of Hall's greatest motivations.
 
Growing up, she did not have many mentors who looked like her in the sport.
 
"It would have been nice," Hall reflected.
 
Now, she hopes she can become that person for someone else. Hall wants more minority youth to feel comfortable, confident and safe in the water while recognizing that competitive swimming is a space where they belong.
 
Her story carries even greater significance because Howard remains the only HBCU in the nation with both a men's and women's NCAA Division I swimming and diving program. She hopes Howard's success inspires other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to invest in swimming programs, creating opportunities for future generations of Black swimmers.
 
Turning Setbacks Into Motivation
 
Previous seasons tested Hall through injuries and recovery. Instead of allowing those obstacles to define her career, they have become motivation entering her senior season.
 
One of her biggest goals is simple: To compete through an entire healthy season.
 
She is also embracing a new challenge as one of Howard's team captains, a leadership role she says she is excited to undertake.
 
Her resilience, she believes, has become one of her greatest strengths.
 
A Legacy Bigger Than Herself
 
When asked about the legacy she hopes to leave, Hall offered an answer that reflects the person she has become.
 
"Howard has left their mark on me," Hall said rather than focusing on how she will be remembered.
 
She credits her teammates and coaches for helping shape her growth as both a student-athlete and a person. Their influence has strengthened her belief that true leadership is measured by the people you uplift.
 
If Hall has her way, her legacy will not simply be faster times or championship finishes. It will be to inspire more Black women to swim, encourage more HBCUs to build swimming programs and prove that representation changes lives.
 
For Hall, every race is about more than reaching the wall first. It is about opening doors for the swimmers who will dive in after her.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.