Pat Lawson, a 1993 grad who led Cumberland’s University's resurgence in athletics as athletic director, will officially begin his duties over Father Ryan's athletic program this summer. He joins the school following another successful athletic season, and with plans developing for the first ever on-campus athletic complex at Father Ryan. Lawson said the opportunity to head one of the top athletic programs in the southeast drew him to Ryan.
“Father Ryan has been synonymous with successful athletic programs in every sport and at every level. I am excited about the opportunity to work with the school in the ongoing development of all of our students. And the announcement of the new complex can only enhance the program, and I am honored to be selected to head this part of my alma mater’s mission at such a critical and exciting time in its history.”
“Pat has been a successful A.D. who had demonstrated exceptional ability for the administrative and fiscal functions," said President Jim McIntyre. "He also has a vision that has proven successful because of his commitment to athletic excellence, student/athlete development and the highest standards of competition and sportsmanship. We are pleased to welcome him to the Father Ryan staff.”
Prior to his AD responsibilities at Cumberland, Lawson served a marketing executive for Cumberland. He also has done broadcasting for the Nashville Sounds and for WANT-FM, serving as play-by-play announcer for Lebanon High School and Cumberland University’s football, basketball and baseball games. He received his B.S. in Education in 1997 and his Masters in 1998, both from Cumberland.
He is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), the NAIA, including service on the organization’s administrative council, the Athletic Directors Association, the Gender Equity Committee and the Women’s Basketball Ratings Oversight Committee. He’s also Vice-President of the TranSouth Athletic Conference and a member of both the Wilson County/Lebanon Chamber of Commerce Sports Council and the City of Lebanon Sports Commission. He is President-elect of the Rotary Club of Lebanon.
Father Ryan announced in January its plans to proceed with an Athletic Complex on the campus. The school received a gift to fund the complex from Nashvillian Jim Carell, a 1954 graduate of Father Ryan High School who is president of Achiever Development Corporation, chairman of CareAll Home Care Services, and president of CareAll Management, Inc. Carell’s gift includes a challenge that requires Father Ryan’s alumni and friends to contribute $2 million in additional funds before the end of 2008. McIntyre said that fundraising activities are going well and he is confident in the school’s ability to meet Carell’s challenge.
Father Ryan High School was established in 1925 and today provides college preparatory education along with spiritual and community service experience $14 million in scholarship offers from over 100 colleges and universities across the country. More information is available on the website at www.fatherryan.org.
