Dr. Kevin Lynum brings championship expectations and academic focus to FSW

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — Dr. Kevin Lynum is taking over a Florida Southwestern athletic department built to compete for championships. His goal is to keep the Buccaneers winning while raising the standard in the classroom and strengthening the program’s connection with Southwest Florida.

“The goal still remains the same here at FSW,” Lynum said. “We’re going to compete for championships and conference championships year in, year out.”

Lynum comes to Fort Myers after serving as director of athletics at Jackson State Community College in Tennessee. FSW said student-athletes there improved their team grade point averages and earned more academic honors under his leadership.

Lynum also expanded the school’s athletic offerings, increased fundraising and oversaw the development of a $2.3 million athletic complex.

Before moving into athletic administration, Lynum built much of his career in basketball. He helped Norfolk State reach back-to-back NCAA Tournaments as an assistant women’s basketball coach and previously served as the head women’s basketball coach at Florida A&M. His FAMU team produced the program’s highest grade point average and a 100% graduation rate.

That academic success reflects a priority Lynum said he has carried throughout his career.

“I’ve always been a huge advocate of education,” Lynum said. “I realized that at the end of the day, one day, the ball will eventually stop rolling.”

He said continuing his own education was one way to set an example for his players.

“So in every single stop in my coaching journey, I attained a degree, just through that course of really trying to motivate and inspire my young student-athletes to go out and get it,” Lynum said.

His background also includes eight years in the United States Army.

At FSW, Lynum is inheriting programs already accustomed to competing at a high level. He said the foundation is in place to continue building the Buccaneers’ national profile.

“We consider ourselves the premier NJCAA institution in the country, and we’re going to continue to elevate that brand and the level of success that we’ve had here at this institution,” Lynum said.

Lynum also wants FSW’s athletes and coaches to become more visible throughout Lee County and the surrounding region. He believes stronger community relationships can help bring more fans to Buccaneers games and improve the overall student-athlete experience.

“We’re going to show that FSW is the standard,” Lynum said, “and we will settle for nothing less.”

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