It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our former Head of Department, Tony Lemons, who died in September 2024 at the age of 76.
Tony started at the University of Cambridge in the early 1980s after holding lectureships at the Universities of Liverpool and Edinburgh and working as a visiting lecturer at the National Institute of Sports in Paris. He was originally appointed by the University as the Superintendent of Physical Education in Health Services for just three years, which was then extended by another five years. By the late 1980s he was working with the University, the City, and national governing bodies. This included the position of Chef de Mission for the British team in the World Student Games of 1989. In the early 90s, his role changed to Director of Physical Education.
During his time at Cambridge, Tony worked with a range of stakeholders to deliver a number of new University sports facilities including the sports centre at West Cambridge, athletics track, synthetic hockey pitch and indoor cricket school. Whilst the aim was to provide the best quality sports facilities for the University and its sportspeople, he worked closely with the city to ensure that facilities were also available to the wider community.
Tony also helped to establish the Eric Evans Fund to provide financial support to student athletes, coaches and officials and was a Director and Company Secretary of CU Cricket and Athletic Club Ltd.
He was a great supporter of University Sports Clubs. Until 2005 he was a coach and team manager at Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club and was also a member of the Club Committee. He took particular interest in the LX club (men’s 2nd XV) and was also manager of a number of 1st XV tours. He was an avid Rugby fan, greatly appreciated by generations of student rugby players, and could often be seen in the stands at Grange Road and Twickenham following his retirement.
Tony was elected a Fellow of Hughes Hall in 1985, was Domus Fellow from 1995-2003, Acting Vice President from 2008-09 and Chairman of the Financial Advisory Committee from 2009-10. Tony was elected as a Life Fellow (Class G) from 1 October 2015 in recognition of his service to the College when he retired from the Governing Body.
Outside of his role at the University, Tony held a number of national positions including Chairman of the British Student Sports Federation. In 1997, Tony became a Council Member of the Lawn Tennis Association, before being elected to the Main Board of Directors in 2010 and re-elected in 2012 and was a Trustee Director of the Tennis Foundation.
In 2013, Tony was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services to University sport.
Tony was gentle giant with a mischievous smile and a kind heart who really cared about the Collegiate-University and all those who worked with him to provide greater opportunities for students, staff and the community to participate in sport and physical activity. He was a beloved member of the sporting community and will be sadly missed.
Our thoughts are with his wife, Liz, and his children and grandchildren. Messages for his family can be sent via Karen Pearce at the Sports Service, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge, CB3 0AS or via email at director@sport.cam.ac.uk