Fayetteville State University Athletics

A driving force behind one of the most successful eras in Fayetteville State University golf history, Kevin Anthony Lyles distinguished himself as a championship golfer, All-American performer, and academic standout while helping elevate the Broncos to national prominence.

After arriving at Fayetteville State from Columbia, South Carolina, Lyles quickly established himself as one of the premier golfers in the CIAA. Competing from 2007-09, he helped lead the Broncos to multiple conference and national accomplishments, including a CIAA Championship, a PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship, and a berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament. 

Lyles was recognized among the conference's elite performers throughout his career, earning All-CIAA honors from 2007-09 and receiving NCAA Division II Honorable Mention All-America recognition in both 2007 and 2009. His consistency and success also resulted in selections to the CIAA Eastern All-Tournament Team from 2007-09 and the CIAA Western All-Tournament Team in 2007 and 2009. 

As a member of the Broncos' championship teams, Lyles helped Fayetteville State capture both the CIAA Eastern Division Tournament Team Championship and CIAA Western Division Tournament Team Championship during each of his three seasons. The Broncos' success extended to the national stage when the program earned a second-place finish at the NCAA Division II Super Regional, one of the highest finishes in school golf history, on its way to NCAA Division II Championship competition. 

Equally impressive was Lyles' excellence in the classroom. He graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in December 2009 and earned repeated academic recognition, including All-CIAA Academic Honors from 2007-09 and placement on the Fayetteville State University Dean's List multiple semesters. His achievements reflected the complete student-athlete model that has become synonymous with the Fayetteville State tradition. 

Following graduation, Lyles continued his success in the game of golf while dedicating himself to growing the sport for future generations. As a professional golfer, he captured seven professional tournament victories, demonstrating the same competitive excellence that defined his collegiate career. He also became a respected leader in youth golf development through his work with First Tee Columbia, serving as Program Director, Interim Executive Director, and Executive Director between 2019 and 2024.

Lyles currently serves as Golf Program Supervisor for the City of Columbia, where he oversees and promotes golf programming within the community. His commitment to mentoring young athletes extends to volunteer coaching, including service as a middle school golf coach, helping introduce and develop the next generation of golfers.