PHOTO GALLERY

BOSTON – Robert "Bo" Lyons, a 1980 Northeastern Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee, passed away earlier this week just shy of his 84^th birthday. Lyons was a three-time letterwinner for the Northeastern football team and served as the head football coach, Assistant Athletics Director and Administrative Assistant for the Vice President of the University over a 30-year career.
 
"We are saddened to learn the news of the passing of Bo Lyons," said Director of Athletics and Recreation Jeff Konya. "Lyons represented Northeastern Athletics at the highest level, providing a distinctive student experience and a culture of excellence for the football program and department. Our thoughts are with the entire Lyons family."
 
Lyons competed on the football team from 1955-57 as the center on the offensive line and linebacker. As a junior and senior, he was named to the Associated Press, United Press, Boston Globe and Boston Record All-New England teams. He was elected team captain his senior year and went on to be named to seven of eight All-Opponent teams. Lyons also started for the Northeastern baseball team as the catcher during his sophomore and junior seasons.
 
"Bo Lyons was a true Husky legend," said men's hockey head coach Jim Madigan. "From student, to student-athlete, to assistant football coach, to head coach of football, to an excellent administrator, Bo served Northeastern for more than 30 years with professionalism, loyalty and dignity. Bo was a terrific coach, friend and mentor to many former football players and their loyalty to him was unsurpassed! I was fortunate to get to know Bo during my earlier years as an assistant coach and he would always provide me with wonderful insight and guidance. Our friendship continued after Bo retired from Northeastern and nobody was more supportive of me when I assumed the head coaching position and that friendship and guidance continued right up until his passing. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."
 
Lyons returned to Northeastern as an assistant coach for the football team under Coach Joe Zabillski in 1963. His first season back, the Huskies enjoyed their first perfect season with an 8-0 record. He served as Zabillski's top assistant coach for nine seasons before becoming the head coach in 1972. He helped guide the program from NCAA Division II to Division I status and recorded a 6-2 record during the 1972 season. In 1977, he was promoted to the position of Assistant Athletic Director and was made an Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of the University. He also served as the president of the New England Football Coaches Association.
 
The funeral service will take place on Saturday, Nov. 30, 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Quincy, Mass.
 
#HowlinHuskies