Dear Lincoln University Community, Family, and Friends,

LETTER (PDF)
 
As my time as Director of Athletics and Recreational Services at Lincoln University comes to a close, I wanted to say thank you to the entire Lincoln University community.  This includes all of the student athletes, faculty, staff, alumni, and university stakeholders.  My time at Lincoln has not only been enjoyable but fulfilling.  Lincoln is a special place and I'm so proud of the impact we have made within athletics to add to the legacy. 
 
I am extremely thankful to Dr. Allen for her leadership and confidence.  She allowed me to shape and mold athletics as an executor of her vision/mission for the university.  Dr. Allen, you have poured into me, pushed my thought processes and truly shaped me as a leader. You provided the space for athletics to increase resources and develop a foundation for success academically and athletically. I will take your mentorship with me forever. I thank you for all that you have done for me professionally and personally.
 
To our Alums and extended Lincoln Family.  Thank you for your unwavering support as we laid the foundation for the success of our athletic programs.  I will always remember standing courtside at the CIAA Women's Basketball Championship game and looking into the stands to see the Orange and Blue in full effect while witnessing our championship victory. That was a crowning moment for me!  I would ask that you continue to support athletics through our 1^st Club and your local alumni associations.  Lincoln Athletics will only go as far as its support.  If we continue to support monetarily and through your participation at events like we did for the CIAA Tournament, Lincoln Athletics will continue to be a championship caliber program. 
 
To our Student Athletes, thank you for the blood, sweat and tears as you strived for success academically and athletically.  You are the reason that I do this job.  My goal was to create an atmosphere to eliminate the barriers to your success.  I believe we have created that atmosphere and you must continue to build on that. The job is certainly not done but you are positioned for success now, more than ever before. You absolutely make it worthwhile every day to come in and serve you.  I will miss our conversations, laughs, and watching you all practice and compete.  Continue to strive for greatness.  The goal is still the same, a 3.0 Cumulative GPA, CIAA Domination, and Graduation!
 
When I arrived at Lincoln in July of 2017 the goal was to put Lincoln into position to be the best run athletic department in Division II.  Our student athletes were to be viewed as leaders within the university, successful in the classroom, on the field/court, and in life.  I believe we have done that.  We have renovated athletic facilities, expanded our staff, added more coaches, acquired a 3.0 GPA, increased scholarships by 30%, and increased our operating budgets by 30%.  We have also updated our mascot, colors, logo and uniforms. With all of that, I'm most proud of us being Champions!  We continue to conquer the odds and change the narrative.  Nothing gives me better pride than to watch our student athletes walk across the stage with their graduation stoles!  That signifies that we have done our job and led our youth into becoming future Leaders.
 
As I depart, please know that Lincoln University will always be in my heart.  Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Director of Athletics and allowing me to reach my goals of shaping this enterprise through service, innovation, leading with love, and a commitment to excellence.  I bleed Orange and Blue!  I embody Learn, Liberate, Lead and I'm heading into my next endeavor to do just that!  I will continue to be an advocate for Lincoln University, I look forward to watching LU continue to raise the standard to the sky, and for LU Athletics to win championships while flying to new heights. 
 
Hail, Hail Lincoln!!!
 
 
Educationally Yours,

Harry O. Stinson III
Director of Athletics and Recreational Services