Bill Lyon
Legacy of Excellence
Sportswriter, Philadelphia Inquirer, Author
Sports columnist at the Philadelphia Inquirer for over 30 years
Graduated high school at Western Military Academy in Alton, Illinois (1956)
Named Class Salutatorian
Went to work full-time the next day for The News-Gazette in Champaign-Urbana
Worked 48 hours a week to pay his way through the University of Illinois.
Taking 15 credit hours a semester, graduated with honors in February 1961
Served in the 33rd Infantry Division of the Illinois National Guard.
Worked for Evansville (Indiana) Courier and Press for 3 1/2 years
Moved on to the East St. Louis (Illinois) Journal for a year and a half
Returned to The News-Gazette as managing editor
Joined the Philadelphia Inquirer in summer of 1972
Events he has covered include:
- More than 2 dozen Super Bowls
- More than 2 dozen Masters
- More than 2 dozen Final Fours
- Half a dozen Olympics Games
- The Indianapolis 500
- Numerous U.S. Opens
- Several World Series
- All the Triple Crown races
- Stanley Cup playoffs
- More than 30 championship fights
Author of 6 books including “When the Clock Runs Out” and “We Owed You One” (with Pat Williams)
6-time Pulitzer Prize nominee
Recipient of the National Headliner Award
Winner of 8 Keystone Press Awards
Winner of 9 Associated Press Writing Awards
7-time winner of Pennsylvania Sportswriter of the Year (1977, 1979-84)
Winner of 2 Emmys for TV writing
Inducted into Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (1999)
