THE OFFICIAL ATHLETICS SITE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA LIONS

Robert Miller Guillot, a native of Headland, Ala., made a strong commitment to athletics during his time as the UNA president, from 1972-89. His goal of developing UNA into a major educational institution included a desire to achieve national recognition for the school through its athletic program. He accomplished that by laying the foundation for the Lion's rise to athletic prominence in the 1980s and played a key role in setting the stage for the Lions continued successes in the 1990s.

He led the way for major improvements in the Lions' athletic facilities, increases in athletic funding and scholarships and the hiring of coaches who have claimed five national championships. Guillot was also instrumental in UNA's early years in the Gulf South Conference, spearheading the search for the GSC's first full-time commissioner and playing an instrumental role in having the league office moved to a more central location in Birmingham, Ala.

He also brought Leo to the UNA campus in 1974, making UNA the only school in the country to have a live Lion mascot living on campus.