Dec. 12, 2007

Nashville, Tenn. - FieldTurf and Cal Ripken Jr. announced that Grand Valley State head baseball coach Steve Lyon has been honored as the Division II Coach of the Year at the Winter Meetings in Nashville. Award winners were named in four categories, including two college coach of the year winners and two team of the year winners.

Lyon, who is preparing for his ninth year at the helm of the Grand Valley State baseball program, is 345-139-1 during his tenure with the Lakers. GVSU is averaging 43 wins per year since 2003 and has captured five straight GLIAC titles. In addition, Lyon has guided Grand Valley State to five straight NCAA DII North Central Regional title games. GVSU advanced to the NCAA DII World Series three straight years (2003-2005) and he was honored as the North Central Region Coach of the Year during each of those three seasons. Grand Valley State advanced to the National Championship game in 2004.

Lyon guided Grand Valley State to a 45-9 record during the 2007 campaign. The Lakers captured their fifth straight GLIAC Championship and advanced to the NCAA North Central Regional title game for the fifth straight year. Southern Indiana claimed a 1-0 victory over the Lakers in the title game to advance to the DII World Series.

Also earning honors were:

* MLB Team of the Year: Colorado Rockies

* NCAA D?I Coach of the Year: Wayne Graham (Rice University)

* NCAA Team of the Year: Oregon State Beavers