The sport management master’s program celebrated leadership in the industry at the 22nd Sport Management Summit on Saturday, April 11, at the Erickson Alumni Center. Shane Lyons, director of intercollegiate athletics and associate vice president at WVU, was recognized as this year’s Distinguished Alumnus. The keynote address was delivered by Jane Kleinberger, co-founder and former CEO of Paciolan Systems.
The event gathers students in the on-campus graduate sports management program as well as alumni, faculty, CPASS administration and other guests from the industry.
“It’s our end-of-the-year event that honors the current students in the program. We want to recognize and support the students and that’s why we honor one of our own with the Distinguished Alumnus award and bring in a nationally recognized speaker,” said Dallas Branch, professor of sport management and coordinator of the on-campus master’s program.
Shane Lyons Lyons was named WVU’s athletic director in January 2015. He has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in sport management from WVU and is a Parkersburg, W.Va., native. After completing his master’s degree in 1988, he became the assistant commissioner of the Big South Conference. He has worked for the NCAA and served as associate athletic director for compliance at Texas Tech.
In 2001, Lyons joined the Atlantic Coast Conference as the associate commissioner. He led conference-wide compliance and academics initiatives and served as the human resource manager during his 10 years with the ACC. Afterwards, Lyons joined the athletic department staff at Alabama as deputy director of athletics and chief operating officer.
Now, Lyons oversees 18 varsity sports at WVU and also holds the title of associate vice president of the University.
“This is a very humbling experience. It takes teamwork, flexibility and taking advantage of opportunities to be successful in this program. It makes me proud to come back and be welcomed by WVU and this program,” said Lyons. “Quite honestly, you wouldn’t be talking to me today as WVU’s athletic director without the master’s degree in sport management,” he added.
“He’s reached the pinnacle of college athletics and we are proud he’s reached that pinnacle here at WVU,” said Branch of his former student. “Other programs have hired master’s in sport management alumni as ADs and it’s nice to have one of our own here.”
Jane Kleinberger
Kleinberger founded Paciolan Systems in 1980. She served in multiple capacities during her tenure, including CEO and Chairman of the Board. Kleinberger guided the company as it expanded its domain from its primary ticketing systems to include fundraising and marketing solutions. Presently, she is part of the senior management team. WVU’s athletic department uses Paciolan for ticketing and fundraising services.
“As far as I’m concerned, we are each the CEO of the job we’re doing and that job is going to affect others. Whatever job you do, you have to have that entrepreneurial spirit,” said Kleinberger.
Kleinberger said she loves coming to WVU because of the long professional relationship she and her company have with the university, which began early in her career.
“It was one of my earliest clients and as a young female, I always questioned whether or not I could succeed in college athletics as a woman. There were a number of ADs who really lifted me up, and former WVU athletic director Fred Schaus did,” Kleinberger explained.