Ponaganset High School Athletic Hall of Fame
Induction Class of 2018
Robert Lyons Jr.
Athlete
Class of 2001
Soccer, Wrestling, Outdoor Track & Field
A graduate of the PHS class of 2001, Bob graduated in the top 25% of his class and as a member of the Rhode Island Honor Society. A three sport athlete (soccer, wrestling, track and field), Bob received 12 varsity letter, the maximum amount, was named team captain for all 3 teams ( four times in total), received MVP honors 3 times and a team sportsmanship award. During his 4 year PHS athletic career, Bob’s teams, in all sports, collected numerous divisional state championships and all state honors. Bob’s career highlights include, leading men’s soccer team to the 200 state finals while receiving 1st team all division honors; All state wrestling honors in 2001 and defeating the Connecticut state champion in route to finish top 8 in New Englands; 4 men's track and field school records (two still remain today) and a top twelve finish at the 2001 men’s track and field all-state championships in the 300m intermediate hurdles event.
Post PHS, Bob attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, MA and received a BS in Electrical and computer engineering in 2005. As a member of the WPI wrestling team, Bob was awarded 3 varsity letters and his career highlight was a Junior Varsity Division 3 individual wrestling championship in 2003.
After graduating from wPI, Bob spent 2 years in Waterbury, CT as a field sales and energy conservation engineer, and then n11 years in Newburyport, MA as a product manager for an electrical safety device manufacturer. In 2012, Bob earned a master of Business Administration (MBA) from Suffolk University in Boston, MA. Bob married his high school sweethart, Katie (Banahan) Lyons in the summer of 2010 and they have 2 kids, Brady (5 years old) and Kiana (2 years old). Bob and Katie moved home to Ri in 2017 and now reside in Barrington, RI. Bob now works for Sensata Technologies in Attleboro, MA in the marketing, business development and strategic planning roles.
Even after organized activities, Bob has continued his passions for athletics. Bob recently spent as the assistant wrestling coach at Pentucket Regional High School in West Newbury MA, is a reserve member of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Wrestling Officials Association, continues to play competitive soccer year round\d and goes on hiking and biking trips with his children.