LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA. -- Lincoln University's President Dr. Brenda A. Allen and Director of Athletics & Recreational Services, Harry Stinson III have announced a momentous occasion on which the university will pay tribute to the impactful contributions of alum Dr. Frank "Tick" Coleman and longtime coach and former athletic director, Cyrus D. Jones. This significant recognition will be marked by naming the football field and track in their honor on Saturday, October 12, 2024. The new names will be the Dr. Frank "Tick" Coleman Field and Cyrus D. Jones Track at Lincoln University Stadium which was newly renovated in 2022.
"Dr. Frank "Tick" Coleman and Cyrus D. Jones are icons of Lincoln University athletics," said Dr. Allen. "Their impact on not just the lives of our students, but also the entire Lincoln University family is enduring. Both men exhibited professional and personal qualities that impacted the lives of countless students during their tenure at the University and beyond. I am extremely pleased that the Lincoln University Board of Trustees approved my request to name the track and football field in their honor."
Coleman and Jones' recognition will be the centerpiece of Lincoln's annual Homecoming activities. The Lions will host Bluefield State in football at 1 p.m. More official activities are forthcoming and will be announced later.
"The impact of Coach Cyrus Jones and Frank "Tick" Coleman upon Lincoln University and athletics is immeasurable," Stinson said. "When we look at all of the accomplishments, the lives these men have touched, and their contributions to the field of athletic administration, football, and track & field, it is a who's who, star-studded list and the epitome of Black excellence."
Frank "Tick" Coleman:
A member of Lincoln's inaugural Hall of Fame class and affectionately known as "Mr. Lincoln," Coleman played quarterback for the Lions from 1931 to 1935. Coleman received an honorary doctorate from Lincoln University in 1984 and was instrumental in helping Lincoln reinstate football after a 48-year absence in 2008. Coleman was also a member of the wrestling team. In addition to participating in athletics, he was the basketball team manager, and sat on the intramural council, furthering his involvement in athletics. Coleman also joined his beloved fraternity, Omega Psi Phi at Lincoln in the Beta Chapter in 1932.
After graduating from Lincoln University in 1935 and receiving a master's degree from the Penn School of Social Work in 1959, Coleman dedicated 32 years to educating the youth of Philadelphia. His commitment to Lincoln University continued after retirement in 1981, as he actively participated in various university functions. Coleman's service as director of alumni relations at Lincoln from 1981 to 1988 and his 10-year tenure as an alumni representative on Lincoln's board of trustees testify to his unwavering dedication to his alma mater.
Coleman was a pioneer. He was the first black quarterback to play at Philadelphia's Central High School and guided the team to two consecutive Philadelphia Public League championships (1929, '30). Coleman's legacy is one of using sports, community service, and education to create a better life for himself and others. He mentored students and funded numerous scholarships for African-American youth to attend college.
His involvement in the community included, but was not limited to, Omega Psi Phi (Mu Omega), the Philadelphia Christian Street YMCA, Wharton Settlement, Wissahickon Boys Club, Department of Public Assistance, Department of Recreation, Peace Corps, and Salvation Army. Dr. Coleman passed away on December 25, 2008.
Cyrus Jones:
Inducted into the Lincoln Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015, Jones was the head coach of Lincoln University's track and field programs from 1974 to 2010. He led Lincoln to 15 NCAA Division III track and field championships. Lincoln's men won 11 national titles (six outdoor, five indoor), and Lincoln's women won four NCAA championships (three outdoor, one indoor). He received the Division III National Coach of the Year award six times and the Mid-East Region Track Coach of the Year. Jones was inducted into the United States Cross-Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2007.
In addition to the national championship titles, Jones coached more than 300 All-Americans at Lincoln, including Rhondale Jones, a winner of 14 NCAA individual titles in 1999, 2000, and 2001, the most by an NCAA track athlete at any level. She was named the outstanding Division III female track athlete of the first 25 years of NCAA women's competition. Jones also coached 800-meter runner Clive Terrelonge, who until recently held the NCAA Division III record in the 800-meter run (1:47.56), set at the 1991 outdoor championships. Terrelonge was also Lincoln's first Olympic athlete.
He also served as an honorary official during the 2002 Penn Relays. The Philadelphia Tribune selected him as one of the top 100 sports figures in the Philadelphia region over the past 100 years. Jones won the Linback Teaching Award (1982), the Outstanding Men of America Award (1984), and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.
In addition to coaching track & field and cross country, Jones previously served as Lincoln's athletic director and was a tenured professor of Health and Physical Education at Lincoln. Jones also served as the president of the Division III Track & Field Coaches Association (1991-94).
"Celebrating and honoring these men as we name the Frank "Tick" Coleman Field and Cyrus D. Jones Track at Lincoln Stadium after them is a true honor," Stinson said. "We are also honored to share these moments with Coach Jones and his family, the family of "Tick" Coleman, and the countless former student-athletes, alums, and the nation. Their presence will make this day mean even more to our entire university."
For more information and to purchase tickets for this historic day and lasting tribute, fans can visit www.lulions.com.
ABOUT LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
Lincoln University, the nation's first degree-granting Historically Black College and University (HBCU), educates and empowers students to lead their communities and change the world. Lincoln offers a rigorous liberal arts education to a diverse student body of approximately 1,800 men and women in more than 34 undergraduate and graduate programs.
