Longtime Fontbonne athletic director and former head men’s basketball coach Lee McKinney passed away this morning, April 4, after a valiant fight with cancer. This was the third battle McKinney had with cancer. 

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

McKinney served 23 years as Fontbonne's athletic director and just completed his 24th season as the Griffins head men’s basketball coach. McKinney stepped down at the end of this season at age 75 to focus on his family and his health issues. 

During his tenure as Fontbonne’s director of athletics, the athletics department grew from three to 19 teams, with the number of student-athletes jumping from 35 to the current 350. McKinney played an instrumental role in Fontbonne's membership into the NCAA and in establishing the school as a founding member of the SLIAC. McKinney also served on several NCAA committees including Management Council, Financial Aid Committee, Playing and Practice Seasons Subcommittee, Strategic Planning and Finance Committee, Convention Planning Subcommittee and Nominating 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 Division III NCAA Tournament. He holds the SLIAC and Fontbonne record for men’s basketball coaching victories.

Prior to Fontbonne, McKinney served as the head men’s basketball coach at Missouri Baptist. During his tenure at Missouri Baptist, McKinney compiled a 188-126 record and was named the Show-Me Conference Coach of the Year in 1983 and 1988.

McKinney started his coaching career more than 50 years ago at Qulin High School. McKinney compiled a 287-215 high school coaching record during his stints at Missouri and Illinois area high schools.

For his career, McKinney had 805 career victories and 518 career collegiate wins. He was inducted into Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1992, the Missouri Baptist University Hall of Fame in 2003, Fontbonne University Hall of Fame 2000, St. Clair High School Hall of Fame in 1995 and St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in 2010. The SLIAC honored McKinney last year by naming an award after him. The Lee McKinney SLIAC Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to the individual that 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 received a National Association of Basketball Coaches Outstanding Service Award at the NABC Convention in Houston, Texas. 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.

While McKinney wasn't able to attend the ceremony, his three children went on his behalf to receive the award.