A Family photo of Mike Lyons dressed in Christmas attire. (Photo courtesy of Mike Lyons)

Mike Lyons, long-time FCCPS Maintenance & Groundskeeper of 11 years, was recently promoted to a brand-new job: Athletic Facilities & Grounds Technician. This is an entirely new position created specifically for him that involves more responsibilities.

The new position entails taking care of the fields, putting out equipment for different sporting events, fixing sports equipment, mowing lawns, and much more. 

After a meeting with Mr. Laub and other custodial staff, he was given the new title, which he immediately fell in love with. 

“We went into the big meeting room in the office, and it was the four of us. We talked about it and I was really excited. No more going to other schools. Just staying here– this is what you do. Boom.” Lyons explained. 

A usual workday for Lyons consists of clocking in at 8:30am and drinking his coffee at the 50-yard line. Then he’ll do trash runs for half an hour. Lyons wishes that students would pay more attention to throwing away trash instead of leaving it around the field.

“There are trash cans. You don’t need to just throw all the stuff on the side…They always just leave their pizza and stuff,” Lyons commented.

Lunch is typically late, around 1:30-2:00pm. He then checks the sports page to find out what games he has to set up for that day. Around 3:00pm, he’ll go to the gym to set up for volleyball or basketball – whichever sport is in season. He pulls out the bleachers and sets up tables with chairs for the ticket people. 

Additionally, he checks his work orders to see any requests made. Most tasks are minor, such as fixing the fence, and he often leaves school around 4:30pm. 

Lyons appreciates the benefits that Meridian offers, including not working on school holidays, winter break and summer break with the addition of 11 extra days off for having worked for FCCPS for 11 years. 

Lyons feels that his current job requires less strenuous work than his previous position, where he had to constantly move from one FCCPS school to the other. 

He also appreciates the new facilities at Meridian. When reflecting on the transition from George Mason Meridian, he explains that the new building requires less maintenance because the previous building was falling apart. 

However, Lyons notes that the job can be lonely sometimes.

“I wouldn’t mind having one other person work with me. Having a buddy to drive around with me. Also, sometimes, it’s not so easy to move goalposts by yourself,” Lyons explained.  

Lyons has lived in Falls Church since 1997 and spent his senior year at George Mason after living in Florida for most of his childhood.  His parents both worked in The Little City, where his father was the first K-9 police officer in Falls Church and his mother was a paraprofessional. He chose Meridian because of its familiarity. 

“I knew it so well, and I’ve already lived in the city for a long time… I came here in ‘96, left a couple of times and I always come back,” Lyons noted.

A friend from the bowling alley knew about a job opening at George Mason High School and offered it to Lyons, and he has not left since. 

Lyons’ overall journey at Meridian is more than just a story of job growth, but rather a commitment to the school as well as a connection with the community.

At the end of another long day, Lyons pauses to glance over the grounds and takes a moment to reflect. 

“Look how great it looks,” he says with a smile.