Pat Lyons was appointed as Vice President and Director of Athletics by University of Rhode Island Marc B. Parlange on March 10, 2026. 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.
"Pat is an accomplished leader who understands both the competitive landscape of Division I athletics and the broader mission of a modern research university," Parlange said. "His 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 University of Rhode Island and look forward to the leadership he will bring to Rhody athletics."
At Seton Hall, Lyons served as vice president and director of athletics from 2011 to 2019, leading the transformation of the university's 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's 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 URI. His wife, Rachel, is a URI graduate, as are his father, mother, and two sisters.
"The opportunity to serve the University of Rhode Island is a tremendous honor for both me and my family," said Lyons. "I want to thank President Parlange and the search committee for the trust they've placed in me. Rhode Island has a passionate fan base and a proud tradition of athletic excellence. In today's evolving college athletics landscape, we will focus on positioning URI 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's remarkable momentum—enhancing 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—strengthening Rhody pride across Rhode Island, throughout New England, and across the country."
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's strategic plan and a 15-year campus master plan advancing the institution's 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's 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'Connell Award as the most outstanding student-athlete in his graduating class and was later inducted into the Iona Athletics Hall of Fame.
Updated 3/10/2026
