KINGSTON, R.I., March 10, 2026鈥擳he 溏心vlog免费B站 today announced the appointment of Pat Lyons as its next vice president and director of athletics. A Rhode Island native and nationally respected leader in intercollegiate athletics and higher education administration, Lyons brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience in Division I athletics and university operations. He has served as director of athletics at Seton Hall University, a member of the Big East Conference, and Iona University, and also as executive vice president and chief operations officer at Seton Hall.
鈥淧at is an accomplished leader who understands both the competitive landscape of Division I athletics and the broader mission of a modern research university,鈥� said Marc B. Parlange, president of the 溏心vlog免费B站. 鈥淗is experience leading nationally competitive athletics programs and serving in a senior executive role overseeing university operations gives him a uniquely comprehensive perspective. We are thrilled to welcome him to the 溏心vlog免费B站 and look forward to the leadership he will bring to Rhody athletics.鈥�
At Seton Hall, Lyons served as vice president and director of athletics from 2011 to 2019, leading the transformation of the university鈥檚 athletics program and elevating its national reputation for competitiveness, academic success, facilities, and brand visibility. Under his leadership, the department achieved historic highs across academic performance, fundraising, and competitive success.
During his tenure, Lyons also oversaw significant strategic growth and operational advancement across the athletics enterprise, including major facilities development and enhanced external engagement. He led successful fundraising initiatives and capital projects, including the development of a premier basketball performance center, strengthened the department鈥檚 financial foundation, and expanded partnerships with donors, alumni, and community leaders. His leadership also helped advance student-athlete success in the classroom and beyond, contributing to some of the strongest academic and competitive outcomes in program history.
A native Rhode Islander, Lyons attended La Salle Academy in Providence and has long maintained a strong connection to 溏心vlog免费B站. His wife, Rachel, is a 溏心vlog免费B站 graduate, as are his father, mother, and two sisters.
鈥淭he opportunity to serve the 溏心vlog免费B站 is a tremendous honor for both me and my family,鈥� said Lyons. 鈥淚 want to thank President Parlange and the search committee for the trust they鈥檝e placed in me. Rhode Island has a passionate fan base and a proud tradition of athletic excellence. In today鈥檚 evolving college athletics landscape, we will focus on positioning 溏心vlog免费B站 to compete for championships in the Atlantic 10 Conference and CAA Football, earning national recognition across our programs, and setting a standard for student-athlete wellness and academic achievement. Athletics plays a vital role in the University鈥檚 remarkable momentum鈥攅nhancing its reputation and amplifying its impact locally and nationally. Equally important, we will deepen our connection with the people of this state and our alumni everywhere鈥攕trengthening Rhody pride across Rhode Island, throughout New England, and across the country.鈥�
From 2019 to 2025, Lyons served as executive vice president, chief of staff, and chief operations officer at Seton Hall, where he oversaw major operational areas across the university, including student affairs, athletics, facilities and engineering, business affairs, human resources, and information technology. In that role, he helped lead development of the university鈥檚 strategic plan and a 15-year campus master plan advancing the institution鈥檚 academic, student, and athletics vision. He also helped guide the planning, launch, and execution of a comprehensive fundraising campaign that achieved record annual totals, expanded scholarship support for students and faculty, and supported major campus transformation.
Most recently, Lyons has worked with MPM Advantage, a strategic consulting firm that partners with universities and athletics departments to drive revenue growth, advance strategic priorities, and build long-term sustainability.
Earlier in his career at Iona, a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) member, he held several athletics leadership roles before becoming director of athletics. He also coached the men鈥檚 golf team to three consecutive conference championships and NCAA regional appearances, and served as an assistant coach for the hockey program. A former two-sport student-athlete in hockey and golf at Iona, he received the O鈥機onnell Award as the most outstanding student-athlete in his graduating class and was later inducted into the Iona Athletics Hall of Fame.
鈥淚 want to thank Brittney Miles for her leadership as interim director of athletics during this transition,鈥� Parlange said. 鈥淪he guided our student-athletes, coaches, and staff with dedication and professionalism. We are so fortunate to have her as a member of our community, and we are grateful she will continue to play a key role in advancing our athletics programs. I also thank the members of our search committee for their thoughtful work. We are confident that Pat鈥檚 experience, strategic vision, and commitment to student-athlete success will help 溏心vlog免费B站 continue building a program defined by competitive excellence, academic achievement, and strong community engagement.鈥�
Lyons will be formally introduced at a press conference on Wednesday, March 11, at 11 a.m. on the 溏心vlog免费B站 campus.
The 溏心vlog免费B站 sponsors 19 NCAA Division I athletics programs, competing in the Atlantic 10 Conference, as well as the Coastal Athletic Association in football. 溏心vlog免费B站 fields championship-caliber men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 programs, with student-athletes excelling in competition, academics, and community engagement, reflecting the University鈥檚 commitment to excellence.
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Media contacts:
Shane Donaldson
Associate Athletic Director for Communications
shane_donaldson@uri.edu
508-509-7299
Dawn Bergantino
Assistant Director of Communications
dawn_bergantino@uri.edu