Tom Dowling
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PCC Athletic Director Is Named NACDA Athletic Director of the Year for Junior/ Community College Southeast

06/11/07: Polk Community College Athletic Director Bing Tyus has been named 2006-07 Athletic Director of the Year for Junior Community College Southeast Region. This award is presented by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).

In conjunction with this honor, the PCC Foundation has announced the establishment of the Bing Tyus Athletic Director’s Endowed Scholarship. The $10,000 scholarship was raised in less than two months through the generosity of friends and supporters of Bing Tyus and PCC Athletics.

A native of Florida, Tyus received his B.S. (in 1974) from Florida Southern College. He coached at FSC, Winter Haven High School and American Legion Ball before coming to PCC in 1984. He served as both Baseball Coach and Coordinator of Activities and Athletics.

He coached the PCC baseball team for 15 years. During this time he helped build Viking Field in nine months with donated labor and materials and his own two hands.

Tyus led the Viking Baseball Team to a 39-15 season in 1992, and won its first Florida State title, a major accomplishment in his career. For this achievement, Bing was named Coach of the Year by the Florida Community College Athletic Association.  

In 1998, Tyus moved from coaching to be Director of Activities and Athletics. He established the PCC Athletic Hall of Fame and several PCC star coaches and athletes have been inducted into it.

Tyus established an intercollegiate soccer program in 2003, which is the only one of its kind at a Florida community college. He recruited Coach Bill “Tiger” Read, who led the Women’s Soccer team to great success. A year later the team won the regional championship and Read was named Coach of the Year in NJCAA’s All Regional Team.

Bing has been a key member of the PCC Foundation and has generated tremendous community financial support for PCC’s athletic programs. He established the PCC Annual Golf Tournament in 1991 and it is a major athletic fundraiser supported by many of Polk County’s business leaders. It has raised $350,000 in its 16 year history.

Tyus has been a leader in the Florida Community College Activities Association (FCCAA) serving as Suncoast Conference Chair and on the FCCAA’s Executive Committee.

“Generations of student athletes have benefited because of Bing Tyus’ service to Polk Community College,” said PCC President Eileen Holden. “I’m pleased that Bing has been chosen for this honor. It recognizes the positive impact he has had on the lives of young people, guiding them to excellence in the classroom, the athletic arena and in life. Bing exemplifies the qualities of a good administrator, passionate coach, progressive leader and successful fundraiser.”

Tyus received another honor this year. His jersey was retired at the athletic banquet at PCC’s Winter Haven campus. It was retired in recognition of the achievements he made on the ball field where he played third base for St. Petersburg Junior College, Florida Southern under Hal Smeltzly and later for the famous Clearwater Bombers men's fast pitch softball team, helping win two world championships.