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Former Fontbonne AD and basketball coach Lee McKinney dies

Longtime Fontbonne University athletics director and former head men’s basketball coach Lee McKinney died Monday after a third bout with cancer.

“The Fontbonne family and entire basketball community has lost one of its true leaders and a loyal friend,” Fontbonne Director of Athletics Maria Eftink said. “Coach McKinney served as a role model, mentor and father figure to so many student-athletes and countless more coaches and athletics administrators, including myself. His contributions to the Fontbonne athletics department, basketball and cancer research will never be forgotten.”

McKinney served 23 years as Fontbonne’s AD and just completed his 24th season as the Griffins’ head men’s basketball coach. McKinney stepped down as the end of this season to focus on his family and his health issues.

During his tenure as AD, the athletics department grew from three to 19 teams, with the number of student-athletes jumping from 35 to the current 350. McKinney also served on several NCAA committees, including the Division III Management Council and the Division III Financial Aid Committee.

As the Griffins’ head men’s basketball coach, McKinney compiled a 330-281 record with three St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships, five SLIAC tournament championships and four appearances in the NCAA Division III tournament. He holds the SLIAC and Fontbonne record for most men’s basketball coaching victories.

Before Fontbonne, McKinney served as the head men’s basketball coach at Missouri Baptist University, compiling a 188-126 record. He was inducted into Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1992, the Missouri Baptist University Hall of Fame in 2003, the Fontbonne University Hall of Fame in 2000 and the SLIAC Hall of Fame in 2010.

The SLIAC honored McKinney last year by establishing the Lee McKinney SLIAC Distinguished Service Award, which is presented annually to the individual who has served or competed in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and best exemplifies the qualities of leadership, dedication, service and perseverance. McKinney was the first recipient of the award.

This weekend, McKinney was recognized with a National Association of Basketball Coaches Outstanding Service Award at the NABC Convention in Houston. The award has been presented annually since 1997 and is given to coaches whose actions “inside and outside the lines” of coaching have distinguished them as valuable members of their communities.