Alabama’s Shane Lyons named WVU athletic director

MORGANTOWN - West Virginia native and current Deputy Director of Athletics at the University of Alabama Shane Lyons, has been named director of Intercollegiate Athletics and associate vice president at West Virginia University, effective in February, President Gordon Gee announced today (Jan. 5).

Gee said Lyons, with nearly 30 years of administrative experience in intercollegiate athletics, is one of the most respected and skilled professionals in the field with extensive knowledge in strategic planning, compliance and policy implementation at the conference and national levels.

"We are delighted to welcome Shane Lyons back to his home state of West Virginia and to his alma mater," Gee said. "He brings a wealth of experience in both university and conference athletics administration. 

"In addition, as a graduate of West Virginia University, Shane understands what it means to be a Mountaineer. We look forward to him joining our team and leading our athletic department to new heights."

Lyons has spent the past three years working closely on day-to-day strategic leadership and direction with Alabama athletic directors - the late Mal Moore and current Athletic Director Bill Battle.

"It is truly a dream come true for me to return to my home state and to WVU as director of intercollegiate athletics and associate vice president. I would like to thank Dr. Gee for the confidence he has placed in me," Lyons said.

"I have followed the Mountaineers closely ever since I left Morgantown after graduate school, and I have been consistently impressed with the success that WVU student-athletes have had on the playing fields and in the classroom, as well as the positive impact Mountaineer student-athletes have in the community.

"I am also impressed by the University's continued commitment to student-athlete welfare, particularly regarding the major facility improvements that the athletic department has accomplished. I look forward to maintaining and enhancing the momentum generated by that commitment.

"As a leader, I will continue to push our department to strive for excellence in everything we do, and I am looking forward to the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead. I am inspired by the unparalleled support of Mountaineer Nation, and my family and I are very excited to become part of the Morgantown community."