Donald Lyons, a Lexington, Kentucky native has been a part of Kentucky State College (University) since his arrival in the fall of 1964 on a band scholarship.
Mr. Lyons graduated with distinction and departmental honors in June, 1968. Upon his graduation, his first employment began one month later working for KSC . Mr. Lyons has been a part of the Kentucky State University for nearly 54 years, minus a few years while teaching in Detroit, MI and Lexington, KY. He has been a career educator and administrator.
The most important part of Mr. Lyons career was during the nine and a half years (January, 1990 to June, 1999) as the KSU’s Athletic Director. Only two other individuals have served a longer period as Athletic Director, Mr. Henry Arthur Kean and Dr. Williams Exum. Both Kean and Exum are members of the KSU Hall-of-Fame.
Under Mr. Lyons leadership as Athletic Director from 1995 to 1998, he was able to have the best overall seasons since the early to mid 1970’s. Mr. Lyons guidance contributed to the following successes:
- In the 1995-96 season, the Football team had a 7-4 record which was the first winning season since 1978. The Football team’s defense was ranked number one in the NCAA Division II.
- The Women’s Cross Country team won the SIAC Championship.
- The Women’s Basketball team was nationally ranked as they compiled a 20-8 record.
- Coach George Small was named the SIAC Football Coach of the Year and Coach William Miller was named the SIAC women’s Cross County Coach of the Year.
- In the 1996-97 season, the Women’s Cross Country team repeated as SIAC Champions.
- The Men’s Basketball team compiled a 17-10 winning season.
- The Women’s Basketball team finished with a 25-6 record, capturing the SIAC Championship and advanced to the semi-finals in the NCAA Division II South Region, plus several member earned All-Conference and All-Regional honors.
- The Football team participated in the first football classic since the early 1980’s – the “William E. Summer Football Classic in Louisville”.
- William Miller was named the SIAC Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year and Antonio Davis was named SIAC Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year.
- The Women’s Basketball team won the SIAC West Region Championship; and, the Men’s Golf team won the National Minority Golf Championship.
- Finally, the 1997-98 season, the Women’s Volleyball team won the SIAC Championship with a 18-9 record; the Football team ended the season with a victory in the Inaugural NCAA Pioneer Bowl by defeating Livingston College (7-5 record). This was the first bowl victory for KSU since 1948; the football team had fourteen football athletes that earned All-SIAC honors on the first and second team.
Mr. Lyons, has always contributed to the KSU athletic department. He has been a member of the KSU K-Club for over 47 years. During his tenure with the K-Club, he has been the treasurer. He is currently the KSU Foundation Executive Secretary. His total contribution has help KSU maintain its excellence to all scholar-athletes.
Not only does Mr. Lyons support the athletic department financially, he attends nearly every home sporting event at KSU. He has the record for the most home football games attended. Since 1961 (60 years), Mr. Lyons has only missed two (2) home football games, both in 1968. This record may never be duplicated.
Mr. Lyons currently resides in Lexington, KY. He is married to Mynra and have two sons, along with six grandchildren. He is retired from KSU but still works part time with the KSU Foundation.
