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Historic Lyons Family Gift Kicks Off New Coaching & Directorship Initiative Image

Historic Lyons Family Gift Kicks Off New Coaching & Directorship Initiative

5/4/2023 5:00:00 PM | General, Men's Golf, Women's Golf

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – In the continued effort to be A Model Intercollegiate Athletics Program and ensure a successful future for Wake Forest's storied golf programs, Rich and Gertrude Lyons have generously given the largest single cash endowment commitment in Wake Forest Athletics history.
 
The Lyons family gift kicks off a new Wake Forest Athletics initiative to sustain and elevate coaching or directorship positions though specific endowment gifts.  In gratitude for the generosity of the Lyons, the positions currently held by men's golf associate head coach Aaron O'Callaghan and women's golf associate head coach Ryan Potter's roles will be forever titled, Lyons Family Associate Head Coach, respectively.
 
For more information about Rich and Gertrude Lyons and their motivations behind this historic commitment to Wake Forest Athletics and specifically the golf programs, click here to reach this feature story.
 
The Lyons' commitment will create a permanent endowment providing operating funds for the golf programs to help Athletics continue to provide a World Class Student-Athlete experience for all golfers. Income from the endowment will allow both programs to enhance investments in golf performance training and technology, provide additional summer school and academic support, and recruit at an elite level.
 
The transformational gift expands on the Wake Forest Athletics Excellence Funds program, which launched in 2018 as an avenue for alumni, family and friends to directly impact a specific program of their choice through a budget-enhancing gift specifically to that program. Excellence Funds have since provided an additional avenue in pursuit of strategic opportunities that can create competitive advantages for Wake Forest student-athletes in competition, in the classroom and in their careers. Since its inception, Excellence Funds have generated over $30 million of annual operational support toward student-athletes.
 
What They're Saying
  • Women's Golf Head Coach Kim Lewellen:
    • "This gift that has been given by the Lyons family for men's and women's golf is program-changing. It is one that makes an immediate impact and a long lasting impact, giving us a peace of mind that we can continue building on the success of these programs. Having this gift is extremely important for staff retention, which brings consistency to our student-athletes and program. The Lyons family are an important part of our Golf community and this gift is an unbelievable and wonderful statement of their commitment to Wake Forest. On behalf of the Wake Forest women's golf family we are humbled by such a grand gesture for our student athletes."
  • Men's Golf Head Coach Jerry Haas:
    • "Rich and Gertrude Lyons are great friends and great stewardship examples for Wake Forest University. Over the years, their leadership has provided countless opportunities for our team, ensuring a world-class experience for our student-athletes while competing to win championships. We will forever be grateful for all that they have done for our program. Their latest gift to both programs will ensure the legacy and tradition of Wake Forest Golf will continue to be upheld and help us remain as one of the elite golf programs in the country. Thank you Rich and Gertrude! Go Deacs!"
  • Lyons Family Associate Men's Golf Head Coach Aaron O'Callaghan:
    • "The Lyons family generosity has been astounding, and the impact they have made on Wake Forest Golf ensures that our student athletes will have the very best resources available. I am honored to call Rich and Gertrude Lyons my friends. They are a true inspiration to me and I am proud to represent the Lyons family in my position title as The Lyons Family Men's Golf Associate Head Coach. The Lyons family motto is one to live by - 'Live richly, shine brightly, love lyonhearted' (Rich Lyons)."
  • Lyons Family Associate Women's Golf Head Coach Ryan Potter:
    • "Wake Forest is a special place because of the people, and we are so blessed to have the Lyons become a part of our family. Rich and Gertrude's generous gift will have a lasting impact on both programs as they have chosen to invest in our future and long-term success. I am personally honored to have my name and position associated with the Lyons family. This gift will enhance our program for years to come and will help us achieve our goals of giving our student-athletes a world-class experience while contending to win championships. Thank you Rich and Gertrude!"
  • Director of Athletics John Currie:
    • "Rich and Gertrude's quiet but active leadership within the Wake Forest community continues to inspire generations of Demon Deacons. This incredibly generous gift allows us to continue to provide a World Class Student-Athlete Experience and helps us fulfill our vision of being A Model Intercollegiate Athletics Program. I deeply enjoy spending time with Rich and Gertrude whose perspectives and values truly reflect Pro Humanitate"
  • Executive Associate AD Barry Faircloth:
    • "The incredible impact on current and future student-athletes in our Wake Forest golf programs cannot be overstated after this incredible commitment by the Lyons family. This endowment gift allows both golf programs to enhance investments in performance training and technology, provide additional summer school and academic support, and recruit at an elite level.  Personally, I am so inspired by and grateful for the generosity of Rich & Gertrude Lyons. They truly embody everything that it means to be Demon Deacons!
 
About Lyons Family
Rich and Gertrude Lyons live in Chicago, IL and had two daughters graduate from Wake Forest University. Morgan Lyons is a 2018 graduate with a Bachelors of Science degree in Mathematical Business from the School of Business that has kept her in North Carolina working for Ernst and Young in Charlotte. Hannah Lyons is a 2021 graduate with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from the School of Arts and Sciences that took her to working for Athleta HQ in San Francisco. Rich received his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan and got his MBA at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management. In 2003, Rich founded the Lyons Consulting Group (LYONSCG), growing it to become the premier eCommerce Digital Agency and Global Commerce Service Provider in the world. Dr. Gertrude Lyons received her undergraduate degree from Saint Mary's College and EdD and MA in Transformational Leadership and Coaching at the Wright Graduate University. Gertrude is the Founder and CEO of Rewrite the Mother Code, and provides Social and Emotional Intelligence coaching and training to Individuals, Couples, and Families. The Lyons family share a deep relationship with the Men's and Women's Golf coaches and have a passion for supporting all Wake Forest student-athletes to excel in competition and in the classroom. Rich currently serves on the Deacon Club Board of Directors and the family was named 2020 "Deacon Club Members of the Year".
 
Supporting Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest Athletics Excellence Funds program launched in 2018 as an avenue for alumni, family and friends to directly impact a specific program of their choice through a budget-enhancing gift specifically to that program. Join Rich and Gertrude in their support of the golf programs or make an experience-enhancing gift to the program of your choosing today!