Alumni Athletic Coordinator Larry Hymel, right, was presented with Lion for Life award by Athletic Director Jay Artigues on the field of Strawberry Stadium. Jonathan Rhodes/ The Lion’s Roar
Alumni Athletic Coordinator Larry Hymel has been associated with the university for 50 years and was honored with the Lion for Life Lifetime Achievement Award during the Lions football game against Bethune-Cookman University.
Hymel was unaware before stepping onto the field that he was about to receive the award.
“It was a total surprise and a total shock to be given a Lion for Life award in front of thousands of people,” said Hymel. “I couldn’t see the crowd because there were tears in my eyes. It was very emotional for me. To be recognized by Southeastern athletics for working with athletics through the years is amazing.”
Hymel was the first sports information director for the university after working for the university as a student worker for public information and as a staff member of The Lion’s Roar.
“When I finished school, I went to The Daily Star, and then in June of 1966, I got a call from the university asking if I wanted to be the sports information director since they never had one,” said Hymel. “All of the schools of the state were suggested to hire a full-time sports information director, so they called me and offered me the job, and the rest is history.”
After working as the SID for 28 years, Hymel moved to another position to continue his service to the university.
“I guess it was just time for a change,” said Hymel. “I didn’t want to leave campus. I loved the campus. The University Center job became open, and I applied for it. I got it and did it for 11 years. I did it during the time where we were hosting the sweet 16 girls state basketball tournament, and it probably was the most success that they had attendance-wise during the time period that I was there.”
Hymel transferred his services to the Alumni Association after a position was created to coordinate events for former athletes on campus.
“I knew if I retired from the University Center that I could move to the Alumni Association,” said Hymel. “So, I walked across from university to the Alumni building and took the job. I haven’t left campus since 1966.”
Hymel appreciates getting a different experience at each job that he held on campus.
“It’s been great,” said Hymel. “Each one brought different aspects to my life. This current job relates a lot to my first job because I’m dealing mostly with athletes with the Alumni Association. Basically, my job is to keep a database going of our former athletes, having some reunions and keeping in touch with what is going on. A lot of them that I deal with, I did stuff for them as the sports information director.”
Receiving the Lion for Life award is not the only accomplishment that Hymel holds high on the list, the other being when he was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
“Being inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame for distinguished service in journalism, I guess that is the pinnacle,” said Hymel. “Of course, I’m in the Southeastern Hall of Fame which is very important to me too, but it doesn’t get much better than the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. That was in 2011.”
Hymel believes the university has made a lot of progress in the 50 years he has been on campus and the longevity and family atmosphere is what makes the university special.
“When they brought football back,they didn’t destroy the intimacy of Strawberry Stadium but added and updated so much of it,” said Hymel. “It’s on going just like I said with hand stats to computer stats. They are about to build two new housing facilities on campus. It’s part of the growing culture. I’ve seen it grow, but at the same time, it’s still an intimate place.”