Lillian W. Hagins, Grande Dame of FAMU Athletics dies

One week ago today, FAMU lost a longtime athletic administrator ---Lillian W. Hagins --- who died from complications associated with cancer. Hagins, had provided over 40 years of dedicated service to FAMU Athletics and the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, most notably as an assistant to athletic directors.

During her tenure, she worked tirelessly behind the scenes with Athletic Directors Jake Gaither, Hansel Tookes and many others. While Gaither had several "right hand men", next to his wife Sadie, Hagins was his "leading lady" in managing the day-to-day affairs of the Athletic Department and Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.

She played a critical role in crafting both the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame and the Florida Classic and was part of the athletic team that saw the construction of the Robert "Pete" Griffin Track and major renovations to Bragg Memorial Stadium.

In the Fall of 1992, she was honored for her years of dedicated service with enshrinement into the Florida A&M Sports Hall of Fame.

While a graduate of Bethune-Cookman College, Mrs. Hagins was a true Rattler thru and thru, and her spirit will live on in the thousands of student athletes whose lives she touched. She was 82 years old.

Funeral services for Hagins is scheduled for Tuesday, May 31, at 11 a.m., at Bethel AME Church in Tallahasssee.