The Kevin David Lyons ’65, ’71 Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: (Amount equal to One Full Annual Tuition Award) The Kevin David Lyons ’65, ’71 Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a full-time student in his or her sophomore year who has a minimum GPA of 2.5, is involved in extracurricular activities, and demonstrates financial need. Applicants must submit a short essay attesting to his/her qualifications and need for this scholarship. It should be noted that this scholarship will not be automatically renewed and applicants are encouraged to reapply each academic year.

The late Kevin David Lyons was born and raised in Worcester. He was the fifth of eight children of James T. and Catherine J. (McGonagle) Lyons. Baseball was the center of his large Irish Catholic family. James and Catherine were among the founders of the Jack Little League, and today this field is named in memory of their contributions to the league.

It is not surprising that Kevin grew up to become an outstanding baseball player at St. Stephen’s High School, and his skills enabled him to become the first in his family to attend college. At Worcester State University, Kevin excelled on the baseball field all four years he studied to be a teacher. He was the starting centerfielder every year and an exceptional hitter on a baseball team that won 27 consecutive games. Kevin posted a .403 career lifetime batting average, including back-to-back years of .475, and only struck out six times in four years. In 1964 and 1965, he helped his teams win the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) championship. He was captain of the 1965 championship team.

Kevin graduated in 1965 and began his career as an educator in the Northborough Public Schools, teaching for more than 10 years. He also became Quinsigamond Community College baseball team’s first coach and served in Massachusetts Army National Guard. Kevin returned to WSC to earn his master’s degree in education in 1971. He later worked as a sales representative for Atlas Distributing Co. for many years. He loved to entertain friends and was a renowned storyteller. Over many years, he owned and operated several food and beverage establishments with brother-in-law Ed Madaus, M.Ed. ’72. In 1990, Kevin became the owner of The Press Box, a tavern on Lincoln Street in Worcester.

Kevin was the first baseball player inducted into the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986. His other accolades include being named WSU’s Baseball Player of the Century, receiving the first John Hickey Award in 2002 for his dedication to WSU Baseball, and having his No. 2 jersey retired in 1997. The City of Worcester named the baseball diamond at Rockwood Field in his honor in January 2009.

Kevin was an active alumnus and supporter of Lancer Baseball. He started the Lancer Golf Tournament, alumni baseball game, and First Pitch Dinner, which is held every spring before players leave for the team trip to Florida. He was also a member of the Hall of Fame Committee and alumni coordinator of the baseball team.

Kevin followed his parents’ example by becoming active in his community. He was well-known for his generosity and helping those in need. Kevin was a longtime supporter of local youth and interscholastic athletic teams. A proud Irish American, he was actively involved in the annual Mayor of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade fundraiser. He was elected mayor of the parade in 2003. He was also a member of the Emerald Club, the Worcester Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Leprechaun Society of Clinton, Mass., the Brown Square Civic Club, Galaxy of Stars Committee, and the PAV Club of Clinton. He was an associate member of Worcester’s Marine Corps League. Kevin was a founding member of the Grafton Hillers, Inc., which established this scholarship in his memory.

Kevin was married to his wife, Kathleen, for over 40 years and lived in Boylston for 30 years. They had five children, Tricia, Kevin, Sean, Michael, and Christopher.