Six-member College Sports Communicators Hall of Fame Class of 2025 highlights Special Award honorees
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduate with more than 40 years of committed service in NCAA Division I athletics,
Lonza Hardy held positions as director of athletics and conference assistant commissioner for media relations positions at the schools and conferences listed above.
He currently serves as a consultant in college administration, media relations and marketing.
In his last position before retirement, Hardy joined the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in September 2018 and served as its media relations and research consultant through January 2022.
Prior to his MEAC role, Hardy served in director of athletic roles at three institutions: University of Arkansas Pine Bluff (Sept. 2011-Feb. 2018), Hampton University (July 2007-Sept. 2011), Mississippi Valley State University (April 2001- July 2007).
Before his athletic director appointments, Hardy held a 14-year tenure as associate commissioner at the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). He also served in sports communications roles at Southern, Alcorn State and Albany (Ga.) State.
During his tenure at the SWAC, Hardy was appointed to a three-year term on the CoSIDA Board of Directors (1998-99 through the 2000-01 academic year). Hardy has been honored by numerous groups for his standout work and dedication, earning the SWAC SID of the Year Award four times. He was recipient of the former Good Person Award presented by CSC (CoSIDA) for community service work (now the Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award) and was also inducted into the SWAC Hall of Fame in 2018. Hardy also earned the 2006 General Neyland Outstanding Athletics Director Award by the All-American Football Foundation.
Hardy's career in media relations started in 1978 when, after graduation from UNC-Chapel Hill, he took a job at Albany State in Georgia for two years before spending the next six years at Alcorn State from 1980-86.