Virginia Athletics and the Virginia Athletics Foundation announced on May 20 that Pete and Jodi Lyons have committed $10 million to endow scholarships for the University of Virginia’s volleyball and women’s soccer programs. The pledge includes cash support, a foundation match, and a planned future gift.
Pete Lyons is a 1977 graduate of the University of Virginia who worked as an attorney in mergers and acquisitions. Jodi Lyons graduated from the University of Maryland in 1976 and comes from an athletic background, with her father having played minor league baseball in the Philadelphia Athletics system. Since relocating to Charlottesville, the couple has become season ticket holders for several UVA programs.
Half of their commitment will endow volleyball scholarships named after their fathers, Bernard T. Lyons and Joseph A. Magennis, both former athletes. The other half will establish the Lyons Family Scholarships for Women’s Soccer.
Kevin Miller, executive director of the Virginia Athletics Foundation, said: “We are deeply grateful to Pete and Jodi for their extraordinary generosity and vision. This transformational commitment will have a lasting impact on our volleyball and women’s soccer programs, supporting our student-athletes today while strengthening their future for years to come.”
Shannon Wells, head coach of UVA Volleyball, said: “Pete and Jodi Lyons’ continued generosity is an investment in women, Olympic sports, and the future of Virginia Volleyball. What makes their support so meaningful is that it extends far beyond a financial gift. They have become incredible friends of our program, student-athletes and families… This gift solidifies the future of our program and creates more opportunities for our student-athletes to compete for championships. Our program is incredibly grateful for the Lyons’ family!”
Steve Swanson, head coach of UVA Women’s Soccer added: “Pete and Jodi Lyons have been so supportive of Virginia Women’s Soccer for such a long time now. This gift is transformational and will help our program for years and years to come… It is the generosity of people like Pete and Jodi that makes the University of Virginia community such a special one.”
The Virginia Athletics Foundation supports all 27 men’s and women’s Division I programs at UVA.
