Former Northeastern football standout Walter J. Lyons '58, who played two seasons for the Huskies in 1948 and 1949 between tours of duty with the United States Marine Corps, passed away late last week at the age of 86.
Lyons is a 1992 Northeastern University Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, elected for his achievements in the sport of football, and his contributions to the Northeastern athletic program, both on and off the field.
After graduating from nearby Cambridge Latin in 1944, Lyons enlisted in the Marine Corps and served as a Master Gunnery Sgt. in China during the final 11 months of World War II.
Upon his return, Lyons enrolled at Northeastern University for the fall of 1947, where he would on to play two varsity seasons at linebacker and fullback for the football team. In his final game with the Huskies, Lyons stymied star defensive end Andy Robustelli – a future NFL Hall of Famer - in a 25-13 Northeastern victory over Arnold College.
When tensions in Korea escalated in 1950, Lyons quickly reenlisted in the Corps. As a marine squad leader, he led his men on Operation Summit, an event remembered for the first helicopter deployment of a combat unit. He would take night classes upon his return to Huntington Ave. and graduated with a degree in business management in 1958.
Lyons would go on to make significant contributions to Northeastern athletics, most notably during his run as the University's only two-term Varsity Club President. During Lyons' administration, which ran from 1979-1980 and 1989-1990, Lyons founded the Stadium Committee, the result of which added a new football playing surface, locker room facilities and press box to Parsons Field.
In 1984, Lyons was awarded the prestigious W. Erwin Story Citation by the University, recognizing his outstanding alumni volunteerism. He remained a ubiquitous presence at all Northeastern sporting events for decades.
Lyons leaves behind his high school sweetheart and wife of 60 years Mary (née Barrett) Lyons, four son, a daughter, and many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.
