Samuel Hamilton "Hamp" Lyon attended high school in Meridian, Mississippi and played football at the University of Alabama in the mid 1930s. Lyon was a tackle on the 1936 Crimson Tide team that finished 10-0 under coach Frank Thomas and assistant Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. After graduating from college, Lyon accepted the head coaching position at Alexander City High School in the fall of 1937. He remained in his coaching position for the next 17 years. Lyons Wildcat teams won 107, lost 47 and tied 10 games during his tenure as the head football coach. He produced back-to-back 8-1 seasons in 1938-39 and a 9-0-1 team in 1953. The 1953 team was awarded a State Championship by the Birmingham News for District 2. Only one of his teams failed to finish with a winning record during his tenure with the program. Coach Lyon retired from the football field following the 1957 season but not from the school. He served as athletic director at Benjamin Russell High School from 1937-1972. The stadium in Alexander City is named in his honor. | 
