Norwich University

The late H. Roland "Lefty" Lyford is the sixth honorary member of the NU Athletic Hall of Fame. A 1939 graduate of Springfield College (where he was a starter on the 1937 nation soccer championship team) with a degree in Health and Physical Education, Lefty came to Norwich in 1962 as a faculty member in the Physical Education Department and men's soccer coach. Known as "The Grey Fox" throughout New England, Lefty had a nine-year mark of 52-29-4 (.642) and led the Cadets to the New England Intercollegiate Soccer League Championship in 1968, a title Lefty's squad shared with Worcester Tech in 1966. Lefty's squads posted seven consecutive winning seasons from 1964 to 1970, his last year as soccer coach. Among his highlights was a 1969 summer tour of Europe with the NU soccer team. He also had brief stints as men's basketball and track coach.
A native of Peacham, VT, Lefty held teaching and coaching positions at several secondary schools in New York and VVermont, among them People's Academy in Morrisville (1949-51) and Northfield High School (1955-62), where he coached soccer and basketball and originated the track program. A popular clinician, Lefty was a main stay of the camp circuit. He also served a term as president of the New England Intercollegiate Soccer League. 
Prior to his career as a teacher and coach, Lefty served in the United States Coast Guard from 1942-46, attaining the rank of LT Commander and developing several innovations in the emerging field of helicopter rescue. Lefty served his community by instituting youth soccer programs in several towns and serve in the Cub Scouts, the Masons, and Boys' State. He continued his involvement with youth soccer while serving as vocational coordinator at Brevard Community College in Florida (1972-73) and later in Monroe, NC. 
The crowning moment of Coach Lefty Lyford's career came when the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, NY established "The Grey Fox Award" in 1986 to honor Lefty. The award is presented twice annually by the Hall of Fame. A permanent plaque to honor the award is presented twice annually by the Hall of Fame. A permanent plaque reads, "To the player or coach whose efforts in promoting soccer best share the time, spirit, and integrity given the game by Roland "Lefty" Lyford." Coach Lefty Lyford passed away on July 7, 1979.