Stephen Barnes Lacy (October 24, 1908 – February 3, 2000) was an American college sports coach, educator, and political adviser. He served as the head football coach at Milligan College—now known as Milligan University—in Milligan College, Tennessee from 1933 to 1942.

Steve Lacy
Biographical details
Born(1908-10-24)October 24, 1908
Sullivan County, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedFebruary 3, 2000(2000-02-03) (aged 91)
Johnson City, Tennessee, U.S.
Playing career
Football
1928–1930Milligan
Basketball
c. 1930Milligan
Position(s)Guard (basketball)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1931–1932Mary Hughes HS (TN)
1933–1941Milligan
1942Milligan (advisory coach)
Basketball
1931–1933Mary Hughes HS (TN)
Baseball
?Milligan
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1931–1933Mary Hughes HS (TN)
1933–1943Milligan
Head coaching record
Overall45–28–6 (college football)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Football
2 Smoky Mountain (1934, 1940)

A native of Sullivan County, Tennessee, Lacy entered Milligan College in 1927. Even though he had never seen football played before coming to Milligan, he made the varsity Milligan Buffaloes football team in 1928 and was team captain as a senior in 1930. In basketball, Lacy twice earned all-Smoky Mountain Conference honors as a guard, in 1929 and 1930.[1][2] He graduated from Milligan in 1931 with cum laude honors.

Lacy began his coaching and teaching career at Mary Hughes High School in Piney Flats, Tennessee, where he was athletic director, coach, teacher, and principal for two years. In 1933, he was hired as athletic director and head coach of football and baseball at his alma, mater, Milligan.[3]

Lacy, known as "Mr. Democrat", was an influential member of the Tennessee Democratic Party, serving as an adviser to Al Gore, United States Senator and Vice President of the United States, Ned McWherter, Governor of Tennessee, and Jim Sasser, United States Senator. He died on February 3, 2000, at Johnson City Medical Center, in Johnson City, Tennessee.[4][5][6]

Head coaching record

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College football

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Milligan Buffaloes (Smoky Mountain Conference) (1933–1941)
1933 Milligan 2–6–1 0–4–1 6th
1934 Milligan 6–2–1 3–1–1 1st
1935 Milligan 2–5–1 2–3–1 6th
1936 Milligan 5–4 3–3 T–5th
1937 Milligan 5–3–1 2–3 6th
1938 Milligan 5–3–2 1–2–2 6th
1939 Milligan 6–3 4–2 T–2nd
1940 Milligan 9–0 5–0 1st
1941 Milligan 5–2 2–1 2nd
Milligan: 45–28–6 22–19–5
Total: 45–28–6
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ "Steve Lacey coached Milligan through some glorious seasons". Johnson City Press. Johnson City, Tennessee. November 6, 1966. p. 14. Retrieved September 24, 2020 – via Newspapers.com  .
  2. ^ "Steve Lacey (continued)". Johnson City Press. Johnson City, Tennessee. November 6, 1966. p. 16. Retrieved September 24, 2020 – via Newspapers.com  .
  3. ^ "Milligan Will Open Its Fall Semester Sept 5". The Erwin Record. Erwin, Tennessee. August 2, 1933. p. 1. Retrieved September 20, 2020 – via Newspapers.com  .
  4. ^ "Former educator, adviser Lacy dies". Johnson City Press. Johnson City, Tennessee. February 4, 2000. p. 1. Retrieved September 20, 2020 – via Newspapers.com  .
  5. ^ "Lacy (continued)". Johnson City Press. Johnson City, Tennessee. February 4, 2000. p. 6. Retrieved September 20, 2020 – via Newspapers.com  .
  6. ^ "Steve Lacy, coach, adviser to Al Gore". Poughkeepsie Journal. Poughkeepsie, New York. February 5, 2000. p. 4B. Retrieved September 20, 2020 – via Newspapers.com  .