BATESVILLE, Ark. - Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach Kirk Kelley is leaving Lyon College to become the head baseball coach at Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Bartlesville, Okla.

Kelley came to Lyon in 1993 and revived the long-dormant baseball program and built a winning tradition that has been the envy of many colleges. Kelley reached the 500-win mark this season, his 17th, and finished the year at 36-19 and 12-9 in the TranSouth Conference.

Kelley has served as the College's Director of Athletics since July 2007 following the departure of long-time Athletic Director Terry Garner.

Kevin Jenkins, head basketball coach at Lyon, will be the interim Director of Athletics after Kelley steps down and Tony Roepcke, an assistant baseball coach for the Scots, will take the reigns of the baseball program as head coach. Robbie Holmes, a longtime assistant to Kelley who helped build the program from the ground up, will remain as the Scots' assistant baseball coach.

"Kirk Kelley has been an exceptional coach and terrific athletic director," Lyon President Walter Roettger said. "He was the perfect leader for Lyon's baseball program when he joined us and he's laid a strong foundation. We wish him the very best as he relocates to be closer to family. We're particularly grateful to him for coaching and mentoring Tony Roepcke. Tony's a Lyon alumnus, former baseball player and -- for several years -- a head coach in training. Now, he's ready to step in and keep the momentum that Kirk has built."

Dr. John Peek, vice president for academic services, said, "We wish Coach Kelley well and thank him for all he has done at Lyon College. His 531 victories are truly a remarkable achievement. But more than that, he has shaped the character and discipline of hundreds of young men who have been fortunate enough to play for him. He will be greatly missed."

Kelley is a Sarasota, Fla., native and a 1988 graduate of St. Mary of the Plains College (Kan.) who played collegiate baseball at both the University of Oklahoma and St. Mary of the Plains. He received his Master's Degree in education from Northwest Missouri State in 1990.

His previous collegiate coaching experience included stops at the University of Memphis, Northwest Missouri State and Allen County Community College. In addition, Kelley has served as a baseball scout for the Baltimore Orioles and is currently scouting for the San Diego Padres.

The Kelley Indoor Baseball Complex is named in the coach's honor and was built by loyal alumni and friends of the baseball program that Kelley established.

Jenkins, a 1986 graduate of Lyon College is in his 23rd year with the Scots program, and his 14th year as head coach.

Jenkins said, "I am very excited about the opportunity to serve Lyon and our athletic program as interim athletic director. Our athletic programs and staff are great and I am looking forward to continuing the success of each program. Coach Kelley has done a great job over the past two years as our Director of Athletics and I want to thank him for his commitment to Lyon during his tenure. He is a great coach, boss and a true friend."

Jenkins previously served as an assistant coach for nine years to former Scots' Head Coach and Athletic Director Garner. Jenkins ranks third on the Lyon All-Time wins list with 177 victories and was named TranSouth Conference Coach of the Year in 2006.

Roepcke is completing his fourth year as an assistant for the Scots after playing the previous three years in the Scots outfield.

"My feelings about the opportunity before me are mixed," Roepcke said. "Coach Kelley has meant so much to my family, the baseball program, as well as the athletic program and the Lyon College community in general. However, I am excited about the opportunity that has been presented to me here at Lyon College. I hope to make the transition an easy one, while keeping the excellent standards that come with Lyon College Baseball."

Roepcke was a plumber and a Little League baseball coach when Kelley encouraged him to go to college and try out for the baseball team. At age 33, Roepcke became the oldest player to ever wear a Lyon baseball uniform as well as the oldest player in the NAIA to hit a grand slam. He graduated in 2006 with a degree in art.

Lyon is a member of the NAIA's TranSouth Conference and fields 13 intercollegiate athletic teams -- including men's and women's basketball, baseball, men's and women's soccer, volleyball, women's fast-pitch softball, men's and women's golf and men's and women's cross country.