There have been many changes within the Arkansas athletic department over the past three decades but there’s been one constant – Bev Lewis.
Lewis, who has served as a coach and an administrator for more than 30 years, announced that she will retire on June 30.
“I came to the University of Arkansas as a young energetic first time head coach with lots of visions for my future in intercollegiate athletics,” Lewis said. “Who would have guessed that I would spend my entire career as a Razorback? What a wonderful career I have had to be a part of the remarkable growth of women’s sports in the 1990s, to work through the transition to the Southeastern Conference and to play a role in the overall development of our athletic department. Professionally it has been very rewarding to work in a capacity ranging from building fantastic facilities to the opportunity to work with great coaches, staff and student- athletes.”
Lewis spent the past season years as Associate Vice Chancellor and Executive Associate Athletic Director.
“For more than 30 years, Bev Lewis has made a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of student-athletes and helped shape the success of Razorback Athletics,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said. “As a coach and an athletics administrator, Bev has continued to be a leading advocate for expanding opportunities and enhancing the student-athlete experience. As the’ longtime Director of Women’s Athletics, she was instrumental in the growth and success of women’s sports not only at our institution but throughout the country.”
Lewis served as the Director of Women’s Athletics from 1989-2007 and was voted in the Arkansas Hall of Honor in 1998. Lewis was also the women’s cross country and track coach and led the Razorbacks to six top-20 national finishes.
