L.J. Kilby Inducted into Ferrum College Hall of Fame
CSCC's Men's and Women's Golf coach, L.J. Kilby, has been elected to the 2017 Ferrum College Hall of Fame.
Cleveland State's golf team head coach and former head coach of men's basketball, Lonnie Kilby, has been inducted into the Ferrum College Hall of Fame. This achievement is more than fitting after the long and successful career that Kilby has built.
Kilby started out at Ferrum Junior College as a player and eventually, a coach. In 1974, L.J. became Ferrum's assistant men's basketball coach. From there Kilby went on to be the head men's basketball coach at Lincoln Memorial University where he won coach of the year honors. He assisted in leading the basketball team to a top 16 finish in the 1980-1981 NAIA National Tournament. Also, Kilby helped LMU become 1980-1981 Eastern Division Co-Champions. Other than basketball, he also started Lincoln Memorial's first ever golf program in 1982. Kilby was inducted into the Lincoln Memorial University Hall of Fame in 2012.
Adding to Kilby's resume, he became the assistant men's basketball coach at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga in 1985. He contributed in leading the team to become Southern Conference Regular Season Champions in the 1985-1986 season and 1988-1989 season. He also contributed to UTC's back to back National Invitational Tournament bids from 1985-1987 before winning a Southern Conference Tournament Championship in the 1987-1988 season.
L.J. Kilby has coached multiple times at Cleveland State. He started as the head men's basketball and golf coach from 1991-1995. He then made coaching appearances at UTC and Hiwassee College before returning to Cleveland State as an assistant men's basketball coach from 2012-2014. Kilby is now currently the head men's and women's golf coach where he restarted the men's program and started the women's program.
When asked about why he has returned to Cleveland State more than any of his other colleges, he had this to say, "The people that work at Cleveland State are so genuine, there's a family atmosphere there that you just can't find anywhere else. You can't help but to come back and be a part of that."
About his Ferrum College Hall of Fame induction, Kilby stated, "This was the school that gave me my first start as both a player and a coach. Ferrum is where it all started, so to be recognized by them for such an award is really special to me. I'm very proud of everything I've accomplished and I'm blessed for every opportunity I've received but this one is closer to my heart since that's where I started. This one is just special."
Cleveland State Athletics would like to congratulate Coach L.J. Kilby on his induction into the Ferrum College Hall of Fame and to express our gratitude for being a part of our staff.
