1993 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE | STEVE LACY
Steve Lacy, the 1993 Distinguished Alumnus of Milligan College has a long history of achievement and service, both to Milligan College and to the community. He has been recognized for his accomplishments in sports, for his participation in local, state and national government, and for his success in the world of business. Milligan College honors Steve Lacy, of Johnson City, Tennessee, class of 1931, as the 1993 Distinguished Alumnus.
Steve Lacy enrolled at Milligan College in 1927 following his graduation as valedictorian at Holston High School in Sullivan County, Tennessee. The college awarded him an academic scholarship. His freshman year, his fellow students at Milligan elected him "Best Citizen in the Freshman Class," and in his junior year, he was named "Best All-Around Boy" at Milligan.
Lacy lettered four years in basketball and two years in football. As captain of the basketball team his senior year, he was also named an All-Conference player. As a student, Steve also participated in music, drama and debate activities. He graduated cum laude in 1931.
After two years as athletic director, coach, teacher and principal at Mary Hughes High School, Lacy returned to Milligan in the spring of 1933 as Athletic Director, head football coach and head girls’ basketball coach. He became the only coach in the history of the Smoky Mountain Athletic Conference whose teams won championships in four sports: football, basketball, baseball and track.
Steve Lacy was named to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1983 and to the Milligan College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993.
Mr. Lacy was elected Dean and Vice-President of Milligan College in 1941 and served in these capacities until granted a leave of absence in 1949. Soon after, he became a member of the Board of Trustees, and in 1959-60, Mr. Lacy served as chairman of the committee to pursue accreditation of the college in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. As a result of that committee's diligence, Milligan gained full accreditation in 1960.
From 1961 to 1974, Lacy served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. During his tenure, the Milligan endowment fund nearly doubled to over one million dollars, and the library added more than 30,000 volumes, seven buildings were constructed and one remodeled. Mr. Lacy continues to serve as a board member. The college conferred the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree on him in 1963, awarded him the Fide et Amore medal in 1975, and dedicated the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse in his honor in November 1975.
Mr. Lacy's community service includes two terms as President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Johnson City, 13 years on the Board of Directors of the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce, 10 years as Honorary Colonel on the staff of the Governor of Tennessee, 10 years on the Washington County Election Commission and several terms on the Board of the Kiwanis Club of Johnson City.
As a businessman, Lacy is the founder and president of the wholesale oil jobbership operating in five counties for 40 years. Mr. Lacy is currently chairman and president of five corporations which engage in real estate investment and other business activities.
Steve Lacy was married December 22, 1935, to Martha Cross, also a 1933 Milligan College graduate. Mr. and Mrs. Lacy have been members of First Christian Church, Johnson City, for more than 40 years. Their son, Mike, graduated from Milligan in 1966 and now serves as Claims Commissioner for the State of Tennessee.
The Lacys have five grandchildren. About his family, Mr. Lacy says, "none of this could have happened unless I'd had a wife who was a great inspiration to me and worked with me in all my activities. She has been my companion and guide for 57 years."