WESTERVILLE, Ohio – John Carroll's Matt Lyons has been named the recipient of the 2025 Chris Wenzler Award. The Ohio Athletic Conference Athletics Council adopted the award in the fall 2020 to honor the late Chris Wenzler, who led the John Carroll Sports Information Department for more than 30 years. The award recognizes an outstanding sport information student-assistant for their dedication to their institution and the conference. 

Lyons was a standout in the John Carroll Sports Information Department for four years. From the very start, he made an impact, working almost every home event during his career. Lyons did every gameday and office task possible - inputting/calling stats, broadcasting, PA announcing, camera operator, photography and writing recaps.

Lyons helped with several special projects, and none more impactful than the John Carroll Univeristy Athletics Hall of Fame. He helped to compile nominations, tally votes, write bios for the program, and assisted with the dinner and ceremony.

"Matt is very deserving of this prestigious award named in honor of a great man,” said Joe Ginley, JCU Sports Information Director. “Chris believed in hard work, mentorship, and kindness, all qualities that Matt embodied during his four years at John Carroll. Just like Chris, Matt always went above and beyond in covering every sport, all while being a leader. Matt's love of John Carroll was evident every day of his four years here, most especially in helping with projects such as the Hall of Fame and bringing back JCU's mascot, Lobo. I know that Chris is very proud of Matt, not just for the work he did at John Carroll, but for the man he is today and the outstanding things he will do in the future." 

Lyons was never afraid to take a younger classmate under his wing and mentor them, always showing great patience. Chris Wenzler is remembered for his passion for championing students, and Lyons is a shining example of the values he embodied each day.