Tiffin University’s Vice President of Athletics resigns

Tiffin, Ohio — Tiffin University announced Wednesday that Lonny Allen, who has served as the Vice President of Athletics since 2008, has resigned from his position. Allen’s departure marks the end of a successful tenure overseeing the university’s athletic department.

During his time at Tiffin University, Allen held various roles within the athletic program, including Assistant Athletic Director, Head Baseball Coach, and Assistant Baseball Coach for the Dragons. His dedication and contributions to the university’s sports programs earned him recognition as the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Athletics Director of the Year in 2021, making him one of only four Division II athletic directors to receive this honor. Allen also served on prestigious committees such as the NCAA D2 Football Committee, the NACDA D2 Athletic Directors Association (ADA) Board, and the D2 Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Connection Connector.

Under Allen’s leadership, Tiffin University Athletics flourished, expanding to include 26 varsity sports, several of which achieved national rankings. Notable successes were seen in football, men’s soccer, men’s wrestling, indoor and outdoor track and field, men’s and women’s golf, women’s lacrosse, women’s wrestling, and men’s and women’s tennis. Allen played a vital role in the continuous growth and development of the department within Division II.

One of Allen’s key accomplishments was overseeing the expansion and improvement of Tiffin University’s athletic facilities. During his tenure, significant additions were made, including the Heminger Center, a 3.5-acre indoor practice and recreation center featuring an indoor track and field complex. Additionally, new facilities were established for the golf and wrestling programs, and a state-of-the-art esports facility was added in 2017. In 2018, the Adelsperger Wrestling Complex was dedicated, further enhancing the athletic offerings. The year 2022-23 saw the addition of a full artificial turf field to the Paradiso Athletic Complex, providing a venue for home men’s and women’s lacrosse contests.

Under Allen’s guidance, Tiffin University achieved remarkable athletic successes, including two NCAA National Championships in Men’s Indoor Track and Field during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons. Furthermore, the Dragons claimed 20 individual national championships since 2008 and made 62 NCAA postseason appearances in 13 different sports over the past 14 years.

Allen’s impact extended beyond the athletic facilities. He spearheaded numerous upgrades across the board, including improvements to the baseball facility with new offices, a lounge area above the home dugout, a clubhouse, stadium seating behind home plate, and a fully functional press box. Similar enhancements were made to the soccer facility at the Paradiso Athletic Complex, featuring stadium seating, an enclosed fence, a press box, and dugouts for the home and opposing teams. The softball facility also received improvements such as a press box, stadium seating, a new backstop, and the addition of batting cages.

Allen’s commitment to enhancing the overall student-athlete experience led to renovations at the Hanson Physical Fitness Center, including a remodeled weight room, the addition of a cardio room, and an athletic training facility. The Tiffin University tennis program also benefited from his efforts, with court resurfacing and the addition of stadium seating.

Notably, Allen’s drive for improvement extended to the Gillmor Student Center and Old Fort Bank Court, the home venues for Dragon basketball and volleyball events. Upgrades to these facilities included new scoreboards, court resurfacing, renovated player and officials’ locker rooms, revamped coaches’ offices, storage space construction, and the addition of a concession area.

During his tenure, Allen oversaw the addition of seven new varsity sports at Tiffin University: men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s wrestling, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and stunt. These additions expanded the opportunities for student-athletes and enriched the athletic program.

Before assuming the role of Vice President for Athletics, Allen dedicated 21 seasons to coaching the Tiffin baseball team, accumulating an impressive record of 444 victories. His association with the Dragons spanned over 32 years, including his time as a student-athlete.

Expressing gratitude for his time at Tiffin University, Allen remarked, “I want to thank Tiffin University and its Athletic Department, coaches, and staff for an amazing 32 years. I come from a generation that was asked to leave things better than when we got there, and I think I did that. I want to thank Jeremy Croy, Rudy Brownell, Shane O’Donnell, Lucas Phillips, and especially Kelly Daniel for always having Tiffin University Athletics and its student-athletes’ best interests in mind. It is truly humbling that 17 years ago we weren’t even thinking about national championships, and now, if that isn’t the end result, there is a feeling of disappointment. I look forward to following Dragons athletics and wish our coaches, staff, and student-athletes the best of luck. Go Dragons!”