Longtime Fontbonne AD/Coach & Conference founder Lee McKinney Passes Away
Longtime Fontbonne University athletic director and former head
men’s basketball coach Dr. Lee McKinney passed away this
morning (April 4th) after valiant fight with cancer. This was
the third battle Coach McKinney had with cancer.
“The Fontbonne family and entire basketball community has
lost one of its true leaders and a loyal friend,” Fontbonne
Director of Athletics Maria Eftink said. “Coach McKinney
served as a role model, mentor and father figure to so many
student-athletes and countless more coaches and athletic
administrators including myself. His contributions to the Fontbonne
athletic department, basketball and cancer research will never be
forgotten. Our prayers are with the entire McKinney
family.”
Coach McKinney served 23 years as Fontbonne's Director of
Athletics and just completed his 24th season as the Griffins head
men’s basketball coach. Coach McKinney stepped down as the
end of this season to focus on his family and his health
issues.
During his tenure as Fontbonne’s director of athletics, the
athletics department grew from three to 19 teams, with the number
of student-athletes jumping from 35 to the current 350. Coach
McKinney played an instrumental role in Fontbonne's membership into
the NCAA and in establishing the University as a founding member of
the SLIAC. McKinney also served on several NCAA committees
including Management Council, Financial Aid Committee, Playing and
Practice Seasons Subcommittee, Strategic Planning and Finance
Committee, Convention Planning Subcommittee and Nominating
Committee.
As the Griffins’ head men’s basketball coach,
Coach McKinney compiled a 330-281 record with three St. Louis
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) championships, five
SLIAC Tournament championships and four appearances in the NCAA
Division III National Tournament. He holds the SLIAC and Fontbonne
record for most men’s basketball coaching victories.
Prior to Fontbonne, Coach McKinney served as the head men’s
basketball coach at Missouri Baptist University. During his tenure
at Missouri Baptist, Coach McKinney compiled a 188-126 record and
was named the Show-Me Conference Coach of the Year in 1983 and
1988.
Coach McKinney started his coaching career over 50 years ago at
Qulin High School. Coach McKinney compiled a 287-215 high school
coaching record during his stints at Missouri and Illinois area
high schools.
For his career, Coach McKinney has 805 career victories and 518
career collegiate wins. He was inducted into Missouri Sports Hall
of Fame in 1992, the Missouri Baptist University Hall of Fame in
2003, Fontbonne University Hall of Fame 2000, St. Clair High School
Hall of Fame in 1995 and St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference (SLIAC) Hall of Fame in 2010. The SLIAC honored Coach
McKinney last year by naming an award after him. The Lee McKinney
SLIAC Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to the
individual that has served or competed in the St. Louis
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and best exemplifies the
qualities of leadership, dedication, service and perseverance.
Coach McKinney was the first recipient of the award.
This weekend, Coach McKinney received a National Association of
Basketball Coaches Outstanding Service Award at the NABC Convention
in Houston, Texas. The award has been presented annually since 1997
and is given to coaches whose actions “inside and outside the
lines” of coaching have distinguished them as valuable
members of their communities.
While Coach McKinney wasn't able to attend the ceremony, his
three children went on his behalf to receive the award.
