Batesville, AR - Lyon College has received a Silver Award in the Council for Advancement and Support of Education's (CASE) 2026 Circle of Excellence Awards for its W.C. "Dick" Winningham Player Reunion, recognizing the college's outstanding work in alumni engagement and advancement.
CASE's annual Circle of Excellence Awards showcase exceptional achievement in advancement services, alumni relations, communications, fundraising and marketing. The awards recognize creative and inspiring projects that strengthen institutions and their communities while helping transform lives around the world.
The Winningham Player Reunion, held Nov. 16, 2024, brought together former Arkansas College basketball players from the era of legendary coach R.C. "Dick" Winningham for a celebration of friendship and a shared legacy. The event was organized by Cindy Barber, executive director of alumni engagement at Lyon College, who also submitted the project for consideration in the CASE Circle of Excellence Awards.
The reunion honored the players who helped define Arkansas College athletics during the 1950s and 1960s, when basketball was at the center of campus life. Winningham, the college's first professional basketball coach, served as director of athletics and head basketball coach from 1951 to 1971, building a program known for discipline, teamwork and perseverance.
The former players were recognized during halftime of the men's basketball game against Austin College. The celebration provided an opportunity for teammates to reconnect, share memories and reflect on the lasting influence of their coach and their time at Arkansas College, now Lyon College.
Lyon College Athletics Director Kevin Jenkins, a 1986 alumnus, said the reunion highlighted the enduring impact of Winningham's teams.
"We had a great time renewing old friendships, sharing a lot of laughter and reminiscing about our time spent at Lyon College (Arkansas College)," Jenkins said. "The players and coaches during the Winningham era helped pave the way for Lyon College to provide a first-class experience, both academically and athletically, that continues to have a lasting, positive impact on the lives of our current students."
Barber said the reunion reflected the importance of preserving and celebrating Lyon College's history. Following the event, attendees raised more than $28,000 to name the basketball court in the Garner Student Recreation Center "Coach R.C. 'Dick' Winningham Court." Winningham's original signature was also painted on the court.
"It was such an honor to host the reunion of these wonderful Scots last fall, and I'm so pleased that the CASE judges recognized their generosity in this way."
