NC SHAPE, a leading organization dedicated to empowering North Carolinians to lead active and healthy lives, recently recognized an outstanding contributor to the field of athletics and health education. The organization, which brings together athletic directors, coaches, university faculty and students, health educators, physical education teachers, and sports management professionals, presented its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award to Alice Lyons at its annual convention in Winston-Salem, NC.

Lyons, a health science adjunct educator at Chowan University, received the award from Jim Hammond, President of the North Carolina Athletic Educators Association. This honor, the highest bestowed by NC SHAPE, is reserved for “individuals of exceptional moral character and integrity who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and made significant contributions to the advancement of athletics, health education, physical education, adapted physical education, dance, and sports management in North Carolina.”

With a 13-year tenure at Chowan University, Lyons has been a dedicated educator, passionate about teaching her students, encouraging them to build a healthy lifestyle.  Before transitioning to higher education, she spent 34 years coaching high school volleyball, softball, and basketball, with one of her former players advancing to the WNBA. Alongside coaching, she also taught health and physical education.

A 1979 graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, Lyons was a multi-sport athlete, excelling in softball, volleyball, and basketball. She made history as one of the few female inductees into the university’s Sports Hall of Fame at the time of her career. Notably, her college softball team clinched the state championship against NC State, marking a significant milestone in her athletic journey.

Reflecting on the NC SHAPE award, Lyons expressed deep gratitude to Dr. Hammond for the nomination. “I am so humbled that he even thought of me,” she said.

Her legacy continues to inspire students and professionals alike, embodying the very principles that NC SHAPE strives to promote—excellence and dedication to health and athletics.