Paul Lyons, who put together a superlative three-decade run as the boys’ basketball head coach at Albany High, died last week at the age of 77. He is survived by his wife Joan and sons Michael and John.
Lyons graduated from Cardinal McCloskey in 1964 and St. Barnard College in 1968. He began his coaching career at Catholic High School in Memphis, TN before returning to the area when he took the job at Albany High in 1971.
In addition to being a Hall of Fame member at both Cardinal McCloskey and Albany High, Lyons earned selection into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005. He guided the Falcons to 515 victories and 175 defeats during his coaching tenure at Albany.Â
Calling hours will be held Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Cannon Funeral Home in Colonie. Friday, a Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Albany. Entombment will follow at St. Agnes Cemetery.
During the heyday of the Big 10 Conference when Lyons worked with the Falcons, Bill Telasky coached at Christian Brothers Academy, Don Bassett led Catholic Central, Cal Wheeler guided Linton and Gary DiNola first coached at Mont Pleasant and took over at Schenectady when Linton and Mont Pleasant merged together.
“He was dedicated and stuck with it,” Bassett said. “The kids liked Paul and came out to play for him.”
Lyons usually had Albany in contention for league and sectional title honors. The Falcons reached 16 sectional finals under Lyons’ tutelage, winning nine championships and two state regional crowns. Since leaving Albany’s program, the Falcons have rarely been in championship contention.
Lyons received many numerous honors that included the Christian Brothers Academy Service and Dedication Award, the Albany High School Coaching and Achievement Award and Coach of the Year honors from various area newspapers.
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