There were plenty of tears shed as family, friends, colleagues and students of the late Richard Blake Lyons gathered to see the beloved teacher, coach and mentor be posthumously honored last weekend.
Luckily, many of them were tears of joy, particularly after seeing what Outlook High School had done in order to preserve the memory of Lyons and highlight the impact he had on the school’s decorated track and field program for many years.
On Saturday, May 27, a special ceremony took place in front of the score clock on the field, appropriately held on the same day that the district track meet was being hosted by OHS. Under the eyes of dozens of people who came out to witness the event, Lyons’ former colleagues and friends Shannon Stephenson, Rosemarie Tam, Cathy Morrow, and Cal Clark unveiled the new sign recently installed, officially naming the school’s outdoor facility the “R.B. Lyons Track and Field”.
It was the kind of tribute that everyone wished the guest of honor was present to witness, but sadly, Lyons passed away in the fall of 2015.
The dedication ceremony included words from Stephenson and Tam, two long-time coworkers of Blake’s who have gone on to make their own impact in helping to coach and mentor young athletes looking to excel in track and field. Shannon noted that Blake “led and inspired hundreds of athletes”, touching on the lives that Lyons had impacted through his dedication to the school track program.
To those that knew him, Blake was a notoriously humble individual; always the first to keep a focus on the accomplishments of the athletes and downplaying his own contributions and lasting legacy in track and field around the province. But he certainly had his own accomplishments, even if he didn’t feel the need to brag about them; recognition for years of service from a multitude of provincial sport organizations, ‘Official of the Year’ accolades perhaps too numerous to count. It’s the kind of legacy that any worthwhile coach would be honored to receive, but while Lyons was always very appreciative, his focus was always on looking ahead and continuing to mold and mentor the budding athletes that benefited from his advice and teachings.
“Can’t you just see him standing here going, ‘Why me?’,” said Blake’s widow Loretta, addressing those gathered. “Wow, R.B. Lyons Field – what an honor!”
Following the unveiling and dedication ceremony, Loretta was a popular figure with many in attendance who wanted to give her a hug and take a picture standing in front of the new sign bearing her late husband’s name. The long-time educator – certainly no stranger to track and field herself – says it was incredible to see the high school pay tribute to Blake in such iconic fashion.
“We were very, very honored, and just overwhelmed to think that they would even think of doing this for Blake,” said Loretta. “I was actually at the awards night last June, where Shannon gave a speech and that’s where I first heard of the idea, and I was speechless, and that’s strange for me!”
If he were here today to see how OHS has honored him, Loretta says Blake would most likely be his normal, humble self.
“He would be very, very humbled, but he would appreciate it because track was such an important part of his life,” she said. “He would be very proud of this facility and the sign.”
