Longtime AAU Staff Member Passes

ORLANDO, Fla (Jan 8, 2017) - It is with great sadness and very heavy hearts to share that our colleague and friend,Janice "Jan" Lyon, passed away on December 23, 2017 while surrounded by her family in Indiana.

Jan worked for the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) as a national staff member for more than 35 years in many different capacities, including the position of the Director of Compliance since 2008.  She started as an intern at the AAU House in Indianapolis, IN and became a full-time staff member in 1982 as the AAU/USA Junior Olympic Coordinator.  Other positions Jan held included National Basketball Administrator, Associate Sports Director and Director of Association Services.

She was closely involved in numerous, distinct projects over the years including the creation of the AAU Compliance Department and Code Book Review Committee among many others.  For her leadership and contributions to AAU, Jan received various awards such as the National President’s Leadership Award and the Paul Campbell Passionate Leadership Award.  She had a grand passion for sports and the organization. Her knowledge of all things AAU and sports in general made her an integral part of the AAU’s success.

Jan also made a place of her own in the sports world. She was a standout basketball and volleyball player at Northwestern University prior to attending The Ohio State University to earn her Masters in Sports Administration. She absolutely loved and always followed her alma maters and continued to show a keen interest in her favorite sports.  Jan also coached volleyball at the high school and junior club levels.

She was a lover of literature and avid movie fan, making her a subject matter expert on just about any topic. Most conversations with her were thought-provoking and impressive. Jan was fiercely loyal, highly intelligent, compassionate, loving and honest. The AAU is a better place because of her.

Jan has left an amazing legacy with the AAU - her expansive knowledge and education, a spirit of giving and friendship, and her untiring dedication to the AAU will not soon be forgotten.  

A memorial and graveside service will be held in the spring at Fairlawn Cemetery in Decatur, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.  You may sign her guestbook here.