Lynchburg, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg community mourns the passing of Dr. Marie Lewis, a renowned coach and educator who helped shape women's athletics at Lynchburg. She passed away on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at the age of 86. 

In 1973, Lewis established women's indoor volleyball as a sport at Lynchburg College. She went on to coach the program for 21 years, serving from 1973-77, 1979-80 and 1992-2005. Her volleyball teams compiled a 337-242 record, and she received Old Dominion Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors in 1999 and 2000.

Lewis also led the women's basketball program from 1979-92. She compiled a 169-159 record as head coach and was named the ODAC Women's Basketball Coach of the Year in 1989. Across both sports, she helped provide opportunities for women to compete at Lynchburg over more than three decades.

Her contributions to the University extended beyond coaching. Lewis served as a professor and chair of the Department of Health, Movement Sciences and Recreation. She retired from Lynchburg College in 2006 and moved to Wilson, North Carolina, to be close to her family.

Lewis was inducted into the Lynchburg College Sports Hall of Fame in 2016, and in 2025, she was inducted into the ODAC Sports Hall of Fame, which was the inaugural class for the conference.

The University of Lynchburg athletic department extends its condolences to Dr. Lewis' family, friends, former players and colleagues, and everyone who knew her.

Dr. Marie Lewis Obituary