Iona University Athletics

After a career as a standout student-athlete and dedicated administrator, Patrick Lyons entered his seventh year as Director of Athletics at Iona College in 2010-11. During his tenure, he established the Iona College athletics department as one of the top programs in the MAAC, while continuing efforts to become a nationally respected program whiling striving for a 100% graduation rate among Iona's student-athletes.  In February 2011, Seton Hall University announced the appointment of Patrick G. Lyons as Director of Athletics.

A native of Providence, RI, Lyons was a two-sport standout in hockey and golf. One of the most prolific scorers in school history, Lyons tallied 80 goals and 90 assists during his 86-game career and led all of NCAA Division I hockey in goals per game during the 1995-96 season, totaling 28 goals in 25 games. He captained the golf team during his junior and senior seasons and in 1996, received the Joseph O'Connell award, given annually to Iona's most outstanding student-athlete.  From 1997-99, Lyons served as a graduate assistant, working closely with former Athletics Director and Vice President for Advancement and External Affairs Rich Petriccione.

As a coach, Lyons led the golf team to its most successful four-year span. At the helm of the Gaels from 1998-2002, he directed the squad to three MAAC Championships and earned a berth in the NCAA Golf Championship in each of his three full seasons. The team also won eight tournaments while maintaining one of the highest GPA's for any male team at Iona. Lyons also served as assistant hockey coach from 1997-2000. As the top assistant, Lyons expanded Iona's recruiting base and helped guide the Maroon & Gold to the 1999 MAAC Hockey League Championship game.

The seventh Athletic Director in Iona College history, Lyons served as the chief administrator for the Athletic Department and its 21 NCAA Division I athletic programs. After 13 years of service, the 1996 Iona graduate has worn virtually every hat within the athletics department since he stepped foot on campus as a freshman in the fall of 1992. Lyons brought a first-hand understanding of the integral roles that student-athletes, coaches, and administrators possess.  At the time of his appointment in the summer of 2004, Lyons became the youngest Division I Athletic Director in the country.

The athletic department saw unprecedented growth under Lyons' seven year tenure both on and off the field.  Lyons has had his greatest impact on the department's fundraising and improvements of various athletic facilities.   The Iona Gaels Capital Improvements Fund was created by Lyons as the first capital fundraising effort in the department's history.  In addition, Lyons currently serves on several committees at the national and conference levels.