Alum of the Year
Lionel Bacon - 2003
Lionel, a native of Louisville, Kentucky journeyed to VCU on a basketball scholarship in the late 1980's. He graduated in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in Juvenile Justice. After graduation, he was asked to join the University's athletic department and worked diligently towards his master's degree while in that position. Lionel graduated in 1994 with a master's degree from VCU in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Athletic Administration.
He then joined the Downtown YMCA and quickly climbed the ladder of success where today he serves as their Executive Director.
In his current position with the YMCA, Lionel oversees the daily operation of the facility along with following community development programs:
Bright Beginnings - which provides school clothes and supplies to more than 300 children in the Richmond area
T-Club - which connects YMCA staff and members , as tutors with students from Chimborazo Elementary School in Richmond's Church Hill
Christmas Connection - which connects volunteers and staff to make the joy of Christmas come alive for 400 children and their parents
And, the Certified Nursing Academy which provides women from subsidized housing the opportunity to gain the skills necessary for job placement in the nursing profession as well as job interviews with perspective employers.
Lionel is also a charter member of the YMCA National "African American Executive Roundtable", a program designed to recruit, support, and retain African American staff members nationally within the YMCA.
And while it seems like an Executive Director's position wasn't enough to fill his day, he has found time to give back to VCU and to the department who awarded him with so many opportunities. Lionel is currently an advisory board member of the VCU Rams "Black and Gold Varsity Club" -which fosters support, pride, communication and networking between former VCU athletes and current VCU athletics. He is also a member of the VCU NCAA Self-Study Steering Committee which oversees the preparation for Division 1 Athletic Re-certification by the NCAA.
The VCU African American Alumni Council thanks Lionel for his commitment to the University and for enriching the lives of families and children in the Richmond community.