The University of Rhode Island introduced Pat Lyons as its new vice president and director of athletics in a press conference at the Ryan Center on Wednesday.
A Providence native, Lyons has spent more than 25 years in executive leadership positions at the Division I level between Iona University and, most recently, Seton Hall University.
“This is a special place, it’s Rhode Island, it’s home for me,” Lyons said. “I’ve never felt like I’ve been in a situation where it’s just such a passion for me right now. This means just so much to me, and it really does.”
At the press conference, Lyons stressed his core mission, emphasizing that everything is about the student-athletes.
“We were looking for a leader who brings integrity, a true commitment to people and culture,” University President Marc Parlange said. “Above all, we sought a visible advocate for student athletes… We are confident we found that leader in Pat Lyons.”
With Lyons expected to start in his position by the end of the month, Brittney Miles will soon conclude her tenure as interim athletic director. She will remain with the athletics department and has agreed to a multi-year contract, according to The Providence Journal.
“I want to extend personal and heartfelt thanks to Brittney Miles, who has been a key member of our athletics leadership team,” Parlange said. “[Her] steady leadership through this transition allowed our student athletes, and teams and coaches to continue to excel.”
Officially announced on Tuesday, Lyons’ appointment comes 125 days after former athletic director Thorr Bjorn gave notice of his move to the University of Massachusetts on Nov. 5, 2025.
“Thorr’s a dear friend of mine,” Lyons said. “He did an amazing job, 18 years as an athletic director is completely over what the normal tenure is for an athletic director.”
Lyons doesn’t lack connections to URI, with his wife, mother, father and two sisters all being graduates of the school.
“I’ve never done a press conference that’s been so personal for me,” Lyons said. “It’s truly a dream come true. There wasn’t many athletic director jobs that I was sprinting towards; this was one of them.”
In his time with Seton Hall as athletic director from 2011-19, the Pirates saw seven BIG EAST Championships and 11 NCAA Tournament appearances.
“Pat has a remarkable ability to build winning programs while keeping the student athlete experience front and center,” Parlange said. “We are confident that under Pat’s leadership, URI athletics will continue to compete at the highest level.”
At 51-years-old, Lyons steps into an athletics department in the midst of an extremely successful stretch, highlighted most recently by the women’s basketball team securing its second NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.
“It’s an incredible opportunity, and I’m so thrilled to be here,” Lyons said. “It’s the great next chapter of my career, maybe the final chapter.”
One program that hasn’t captured similar success to others in recent years has been the men’s basketball program. Lyons has yet to meet with Rhode Island Head Coach Archie Miller, with the team in Pittsburgh for the Atlantic 10 Tournament.
“I’m looking to see all of our programs be successful,” Lyons said. “I’ll get a chance to sit with Archie and discuss the program and see where we’re at. [I’ll] discuss the future with all of our programs.”
Before becoming an athletic director, Lyons competed in both hockey and golf at Iona. Without a varsity hockey program at URI, it remains a long shot for the foreseeable future.
“To start a hockey program, and being a hockey player, you’re really talking about a very, very substantial investment,” Lyons said. “Most of the schools that have done it have done it with a transformational, transformational gift. So our focus right now is on our current sports.”
Alongside his core mission, Lyons focused on four principles: Athletes and coaches being ambassadors on and off campus, academics, winning, properly utilizing and building resources to compete in the new era of collegiate athletics.
“It’s a new chapter for the University of Rhode Island athletics,” Lyons said. “We’ll be out in the community asking for them to invest in us, to partner with us and come along for the ride, and it’s going to be a great ride.”
