LIBERAL, Kan. – Seward County Community College Associate Vice President of Athletics Cody Cole announced Friday the hiring of Lyle Stickney as the Saints’ new head men’s and women’s tennis coach.
Stickney, a veteran Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference coach, comes to Seward after spending the past 17 seasons at Barton Community College.
“I am extremely excited about this opportunity at Seward County and want to thank Cody Cole for believing in me and giving me this opportunity,” said Stickney. “I am passionate about mentoring and developing student-athletes on and off the court, and I look forward to building on the past success that Seward tennis has had.”
Stickney guided both Barton programs to sustained success, with the men’s squad recording six consecutive top-10 national finishes and the women making 10 straight NJCAA National Tournament appearances and 11 overall during his tenure.
“The Saints are happy to have Lyle leading both of our tennis programs,” said Cole. “He has done it at a high level for a number of years and is familiar with the landscape of the KJCCC. We cannot wait to see how Lyle carries on the tradition of Seward Tennis.”
The 2026 spring season saw the Barton women’s squad have two All-Americans as they finished fifth at the NJCAA Division I Women’s Tennis Championships under Stickney’s direction. The women’s fifth-place national finish marked Barton’s highest placing since the 2003 season.
The Barton men had two ITA All-Americans as the team finished eighth at the NJCAA Division I Men’s Tennis Championships in 2026.
Stickney led the Cougar men’s squad to a runner-up finish at the 2025 NJCAA Division I Tennis Championship. A fourth-place finish at nationals in 2022 was the program’s best finish prior to the 2025 season.
Over the years, Stickney has been named the 2019 Wilson ITA Women’s District III Coach of the Year as well as earning the 2021 Herschel Stephens Coaching Award for outstanding service and dedication to the NJCAA Tennis Coaches’ Association.
Stickney began his coaching career at Ellinwood High School, taking over the girls program in 1989. He later served as the school’s boys coach from 1995-2009. During his time at Ellinwood, he guided 141 student-athletes to state tournament berths, led his programs to 10 regional championships, and celebrated a Class 3-2-1A state championship with the Lady Eagles in 2011. His success also earned him two Kansas 3A Coach of the Year selections.
A native of Ellinwood, Stickney played collegiate tennis at Barton Community College and Fort Hays State University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1984.
Stickney replaces Richy Patte, who led the Saints for two seasons. In 2026, the Seward men finished fifth at the NJCAA National Tournament and were highlighted by Meryl Genevrier’s national championship at No. 3 singles. The Saints women placed 10th nationally, while both programs also claimed individual Region 6 titles at No. 1 singles.
