Ron Lykins, head coach for University of Missouri Wheelchair Basketball, is the former head coach for the U.S. Women's and Men's National Wheelchair Basketball teams. Serving over three decades with Team USA (1990–1992, 2001–2008, 2013–2021), Lykins guided national teams to four Paralympic gold medals and one silver, finishing his international coaching career with a record of 98–9, 12 gold medals and five silver medals and becoming the first coach in Paralympic history to lead both men's and women's national teams to gold medals. He was inducted into the National Wheelchair Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018 and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2022. 

Lykins leadership background is why he wants to share his experiences, both successful and unsuccessful, with students so they can develop positive leadership skills. 

In his own words: "Leadership education is very important for students because it teaches them how to energize, support and inspire others to do their best. Leadership starts at the top and it begins with communication which leads to trust which leads to building positive relationships. The leader sets the tone and culture for the organization or team. An effective leader clearly states their expectations of what they want to accomplish and how they are going to do it. It is taking charge and doing what’s right ethically and morally. The leader must exhibit behaviors they want others to follow and incorporate. The best leaders learn to emphasize empowerment and influence instead of authority and being transactional. My leadership reflects my values of passion, servanthood, unity, thankfulness and humility."

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