2008 Woodie Awards
Married and working at SU
Kylie Swyden
Issue date: 2/6/08 Section: Expressions
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Samford graduates, Grant and Vaughn Lyons, work together in athletics. They met during their freshman year in math class and encountered each other again in music class sophomore year.
Against typical tradition, Vaughn asked Grant on the first date: she invited him to a Chi Omega sorority party their sophomore year. They started dating soon after.
Grant graduated in May 2004 with a degree in business management. The following summer, Grant went to work for the Homewood Police Department, and Vaughn studied abroad in Spain. When Vaughn returned from Spain, Grant proposed. Vaughn graduated in December 2004 with a degree in family studies.
After getting married in the summer of 2005, they began working together in the Samford Athletics Department.
Grant said that his job as director of marketing for Samford athletics includes “public relations, getting the word out about Samford athletics and working with the corporate partnerships to build awareness of Samford athletics.”
Vaughn began working in the Athletics Department as a student and now works as ticket manager and director of game operations, which involves “being the point person for every detail on athletic game day,” Vaughn said.
Both jobs require handling various duties.
“We have so many responsibilities for such a small school. We love doing what we can to help coaches and student athletes succeed,” Grant said.
“We love the people we work with and the staff we have is fantastic. They are to be commended for it,” he said.
Because they are Samford alumni it is easier for both Grant and Vaughn to do their jobs promoting Samford athletics.
Grant and Vaughn also said that they enjoy working together and rely on each other throughout the day.
“We are passionate about the university because we graduated from here, and it is easier because we know how to relate to the students,” Grant said.
They both work to improve school spirit.
“School spirit can improve in the fact that it is important to take pride in your university, and we will do whatever it takes to encourage it,” Vaughn said. “We want to get the word out, and the only way it will improve is by students coming out to the games and supporting our teams.”
Both Grant and Vaughn said that their doors are always open for suggestions and ideas on how to improve the Athletic Department, whether it’s promoting the teams or school spirit.
“We are excited to move to the Southern Conference,” Grant said. “It will be a much better fit. We have done well in the OVC, but we are ready for a change. It takes time to improve, and now is the best time.”