CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia Athletics and the Virginia Athletics Foundation announced today (May 20) that Pete and Jodi Lyons are making a transformative $8.5 million commitment to endow scholarships for UVA’s volleyball and women’s soccer programs, including philanthropic cash support, a VAF match, and a future planned gift.
Pete Lyons, a 1977 graduate of the University of Virginia, was a senior counsel in the New York office of Freshfields, whose practice focuses on U.S. and cross-border public and private mergers and acquisitions. He served as U.S. managing partner for four years and global co-head of the corporate group. After a stint at Tulane University, Lyons returned to Charlottesville and joined the faculty at the University of Virginia School of Law.
Jodi Lyons hails from an athletic family, as her father played minor league baseball in the Philadelphia Athletics farm system.
Since moving to Charlottesville, Pete and Jodi have become season ticket holders for several of our programs. Their relationships with volleyball coach Shannon Wells and women’s soccer coach Steve Swanson have been a driving force in the generous giving. The family remains deeply impressed by the caliber of young women recruited and signed by these coaches and they are fully committed to supporting their academic and athletic endeavors.
Half of the commitment will go to endow a volleyball scholarship named in honor of Pete and Jodi’s fathers, Bernard T. Lyons and Joseph A. Magennis, who were both successful athletes.
The second half of the commitment will go to the establishment of the Lyons Family Scholarship for Women’s Soccer.
The Lyonses hope that these gifts will inspire others and drive continued success for UVA student-athletes.
Message From Kevin Miller – Virginia Athletics Foundation Executive Director
“We are deeply grateful to Pete and Jodi for their extraordinary generosity and vision. This transformational commitment will have a lasting impact on our volleyball and women’s soccer programs, supporting our student-athletes today while strengthening their future for years to come.”
Message From Shannon Wells – UVA Volleyball Head Coach
“Peter and Jodi Lyons’ continued generosity is an investment in women, Olympic sports, and the future of Virginia Volleyball. What makes their support so meaningful is that it extends far beyond a financial gift. They have become incredible friends of our program, student-athletes and families. They cheer from the stands, open doors for our athletes through their professional networks, mentor our athletes interested in pre-med, and even welcome our team to their house for some amazing food, desserts, and hospitality. On a personal level, they have been unbelievable mentors and supporters to me as we navigate unprecedented times in college athletics.
"This gift solidifies the future of our program and creates more opportunities for our student-athletes to compete for championships. Our program is incredibly grateful for the Lyons family!"
Message From Steve Swanson – UVA Women’s Soccer Head Coach
“Peter and Jodi Lyons have been so supportive of Virginia Women’s Soccer for such a long time now. This gift is transformational and will help our program for years and years to come. We have had some amazing young women come to Charlottesville and thrive here academically and athletically, only to go on to make even more of a difference in society at large in many different fields. This gift will help us as we continue to attract the very best students and athletes to Virginia, not just now but in the future. It is the generosity of people like Peter and Jodi Lyons that makes the University of Virginia community such a special one.”
About Virginia Athletics Foundation
The Virginia Athletics Foundation (VAF) proudly supports the University of Virginia’s 27 men’s and women’s Division I programs. Cavalier Olympic sport programs consistently rank among the nation’s best, but their continued success depends on strong philanthropic investment. The leadership and generosity reflected in gifts like this ignite the spirit of Virginia Athletics, fueling championship pursuits, enriching the student-athlete experience, and inspiring the next generation of Cavaliers. For more information about supporting UVA student-athletes, please visit Virginia Athletics Foundation or email vafweb@virginia.edu.