Radford University honored Tommy Lillard '79 at our annual Red/White Gala in the Dedmon Center April 26. A record crowd was there for the announcement that the soccer field at Patrick D. Cupp Stadium will be named for founding father Lillard, backed by over $150,000 in donations from people that love him and all he has done for the university.

I think of Tommy and I think of that twinkle in his eye, the one that makes us all smile. He had a hint of tears of happiness Friday at the celebration for a Highlander career well spent.

Coming out of Yorktown High School in 1974, the young army brat had a lot of schools offering him a chance to play soccer, but he chose Radford College, a school that had just started admitting men and didn't even have a varsity team.

"I had come to visit my sister (Susan) and I stayed in a dorm and ate meals in the cafeteria like I was a student," Lillard laughed. "It just felt like home from the first time I was here."

And maybe that feeling was why so many athletes enjoyed playing for Tommy and why he was so good at getting so many people to buy-in on the Highlanders. He garnered a lot of support for his alma mater over 26 years in administration, the last seven as Associate Vice President for University Advancement. More than that, though, Tommy exported untold amounts of goodwill from the New River Valley all the while making others feel at home here, too.

"He has done so much for so many," said RU's first soccer All-American, Billy Gerber '85. "He took a chance on me and I didn't want to let him down. If not for that man I wouldn't have become the man I am today."

Gerber, who played professionally in the American Soccer League with the Washington Diplomats, is now a Senior Enterprise Account Executive for Siemens. "I was a handful for (Lillard) and (Athletic Director) Chuck Taylor and I called Kathy (Lillard) every week for advice. I changed my major and had some issues, but they stuck with me and supported me and I know of lot of soccer players that feel that way."

Those players, who Tommy coached on the men's side for six years and on the women's side their inaugural season in 1981, were primary resources in the secret soccer field naming campaign. Many of them were on hand at the gala to see their old coach surprised and honored. You can still make contributions, by the way, by contacting ruadvancement@radford.edu.

"He just took a real interest in his players off the field," added Gerber. "He and Kathy, both. He never looked at us as commodities to help the won-loss record. He was a mentor and had a huge heart. He used to call my mom all the time and give her updates when I was here. He just went beyond the norm. He was more like a big brother and Kathy like a big sister watching out for us."

And that care went beyond his players, too. Coach Don Staley '91, recruited as an assistant coach to Radford, said he owes his career to Lillard, including his current status as a southeastern sports tourism mogul.

"I was so blessed," said Staley, who had the most wins in RU soccer before leaving to coach at Alabama. "Tommy changed my life. I wouldn't have gotten my degree if he hadn't brought me to Radford. And then he taught me so much. He was a coach of people, too, teaching me how to work with the administration and talking about leadership in all walks of life. I owe him so much."

To say Tommy is a "People Person" is a vast understatement.  His genuine care for the folks around him has always made him popular as does a quick wit, contagious smile and infectious laugh. "What makes Tom special is how much he cares about you as a person," said Penny Helms White '85 & '87, the Vice President for Advancement, who worked with Lillard for nearly 30 years at RU and Virginia Tech and then again back at RU. "If you need something, he's the first one there to help. He doesn't ask, he just does it."

Lillard's drive to do such was quickly on display at Radford. He helped form the first soccer club team and then went out and found the right coach for the program after two varsity losing seasons. John Harves helped the Highlanders to their first winning record with Lillard in the lineup as a long-haired star on attack in 1977.

"(RU Hall of Fame goalkeeper) John White '81, and (former RU player and women's coach) Will Iandolo '81 & '82, were playing for me on the Under-18 team in Arlington," said Harves. "John was Tommy's neighbor and Tommy happened by one day and said Radford needed a coach, and that's how it got started."

Radford landed Harves, who had been a grad assistant at Tech, and was considering an offer from Richmond. Both White and Iandolo came, too. When Harves left for a job with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 1979, Tommy took over as the program blew up.

Lillard handled the tough challenge of coaching players with whom he had played, going 8-4-3 his first year and claiming an NAIA District title. Then he put together a terrifically talented team, including White in goal, that had a magical run. The 1981 squad claimed a Virginia Intercollegiate Soccer Association win over powerhouse Averett in the state championship game on Moffett Field. The Highlanders pulled out a 2-1 win in triple overtime and the youthful Lillard was named Coach of the Year.

I remember those teams and Tommy, the young, shaggy blonde coach so approachable for a young sportswriter, and well, for anyone, really. Later, I never really understood how someone who looked so much like they were up to something, could solicit so much money. Tommy could make me laugh with just a look, that twinkle in his eye, and a shake of his head.

One morning I woke up to the sound of hammering outside my Moffett Hall window. It was Tommy – the coach of the soccer team – nailing up signs on the softball backstop in the near corner of the varsity field the Highlanders shared with intramurals.

With a big NAIA playoff game later that day against Rutgers-Camden, Tommy was putting up some pro-RU, anti-Rutgers slogans because he knew none of the student fans were going to get up early and do it. Those are the humble roots our program came from. Tommy was also instrumental in helping us change that over the years as again, RU showed what it could do. Moving up to Division I Radford has now won an array of championships and made trips to the NCAA Tournament. Ditto, the women's program, which has been even more successful nationally.

Lillard would stay on to guide Radford into D-I, including a 5-1 Big South record in 1985 when RU fell in the first conference title game. But with he and Kathy eying their young family, Lillard stepped down from his dual position as coach and night manager of the Dedmon Center, soon moving into the alumni office and then advancement, where he advanced quickly.

"It was a hard decision but the family was coming along and you have to support them and have time for them," Lillard said. "So many nights and weekends. (Eldest son) Kevin was on a bus trip with us at six weeks. And Don (Staley) was ready (to take over)."

Tommy was a natural at his true calling – spreading the gospel of Radford to alumni believers and to businesses, corporations and anyone who would listen. And Tommy had a gift for securing gifts, that made him coveted by Virginia Tech and absolutely vital as he returned to Radford.

Staley pointed out, too, that Lillard remained a soccer set piece for the program. "My players knew him and respected him as a coach and he was a mentor for them. Tommy is a Radford guy through and through. The players knew they could go to him as a sounding board. I did, too. He was never heavy-handed but he was always there if we needed him."

Tech advancement recruited Lillard away in 2008, but Radford got him back. New president, Dr. Bret Danilowicz showed a keen understanding of all things RU early on, convincing Tommy to stay on when Lillard first hoped to retire. Ultimately, health concerns forced Lillard to step away. Well, sorta. He's still got a hand in all things plaid, and his health has improved. Getting a field fueled by your own dreams named for you does wonders.

So does a virtual sports equipment travel case of wonderful memories of the home he made at a place he has come to embody – he and Radford are friendly, forward-thinking and ready to help when folks need it. Over and over again.

Tommy thanked former Radford vice president Jerry Hutchens '75 & 76, who helped him move into advancement; former RU president, Dr. Donald Dedmon, who signed off on hiring him and really allowed all us guys opportunities at this wonderful place. Athletic Director Chuck Taylor took a chance on a young coach and then his co-workers like Alumni Director Laura Turk '87 & '90; Penny White; former alumni director Jenny Doud '75 & '80, and former tennis coach and Dedmon Center Director Ron Downs '77 & 84, all played important roles alongside Tommy as the university and its athletic program grew. Staley took Tommy's beloved soccer program to new heights.

"It is unique here," said Lillard. "Doing your job becomes your life at a place you love and all the friends along the way make it so much more complete."

Hoping you aren't complete yet, my friend. You make me laugh. You make me want to stay a part of that place I just can't shake. I smiled all weekend at the Gala and at a baseball alumni event I attended. I hate that wording – attended – I was there because I really wanted to be because of people there that meant the world to me.

Radford will do that to you. Because of the people. Like Tommy Lillard.

Mike Ashley '83 was a national award-winning writer and columnist ('Sidelines') for the Radford University student newspaper The Tartan, as an undergrad. He has been a professional journalist since 1983, working at Radford, Virginia Tech and finally, as a freelancer in Fairfax, Va., mostly covering the University of Maryland and mid-major college basketball the last 27 years, including the Highlanders. He witnessed the thrilling 2-1 triple overtime win for the state soccer title in 1981, mostly from a perch atop Moffett Wall, preferred seating back in the day. Ashley writes an occasional column for the Radford website to share his recollections with Highlander fans.