BOSTON – The late Paul Lewis (CGS '83, SHA '85), a Boston University football All-American and a mentor to numerous inner-city children in Boston, will be honored by the BU Department of Athletics this spring with the Student-Athlete Service Award being named in his honor.
 
Lewis, who passed away suddenly in September at the age of 55, was a two-time All-America running back for Terriers and led them to three consecutive NCAA Division I-AA Tournament appearances. As a senior, Lewis was the recipient of the Mickey Cochrane Award as the University's Male Athlete of the Year.
 
The Student-Athlete Service Award is presented annually to the senior student-athlete who has demonstrated a commitment to serving the University, the Department of Athletics and the larger Boston community over the course of his or her time at BU. The award will be presented as the Paul Lewis Student-Athlete Service Award for the first time at The Rhettys, BU's annual student-athlete awards ceremony, on Monday, April 22, at the George Sherman Union.
 
At the time of his passing, Lewis worked as the director of the youth and police initiative at the North American Family Institute and was a resident of West Roxbury, Mass.
 
"Paul Lewis left a lasting legacy that we will be proud to celebrate each year when we honor our best student-athletes," said BU director of athletics Drew Marrochello. "He was one of the greatest athletes to ever wear a BU jersey and his life's work off the field, mentoring countless at-risk kids and dedicating his life to helping them succeed, is what he will be remembered for most. There is not a more fitting alumnus to name this award after."
 
After his All-America career, he went on to become president of Positive Approaches, which provided workshops for neighborhood and school-based groups in Boston and Providence.
 
Before forming Positive Approaches, Lewis directed Economic Self-Sufficiency for Greater Boston One-on-One, a model national mentor program. He also founded the Boston Public High School College Mentor Program that matched local college and professional athletes to specific schools, which they visited.
 
His career in public service spanned three decades. Lewis also served as a community liaison in the administration of former Boston mayor Raymond L. Flynn, as recruitment coordinator for City Year, and as the Boston-area director for the Robert F. Kennedy Children's Action Corps.

Among Lewis's season and career marks at BU are carries (339, 972), yards (1,603, 4,436) and points (128, 326). He also holds single-game bests for carries (44) and points (30), and his 223 rushing yards against Richmond in 1983 earned him the Sports Illustrated national collegiate Offensive Player of the Week honor.

As a sophomore in 1982, he led the nation in scoring with 108 points and was third in rushing with 1,316 yards. For his efforts, he was named Second-Team All-East, First-Team All-New England, and Yankee Conference, as well as a two time Conference Player of the Week selection.

He improved upon these performances as a junior, rushing for 1,603 yards, which again placed him third nationally, while his 138 points ranked second in the nation. In recognition of his outstanding play, he was named First Team AP All-America and First Team Coaches All-America, as well as First Team All-East, New England, and Conference. 

As a senior, Lewis ran for 1,316 yards, scored 11 TDs, threw a pair of touchdown passes and captained the club to a 9-3 overall mark and its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. For the second straight year, he was named a First Team All-American by both the Coaches and AP, becoming the first Terrier to be so honored. He received the Mickey Cochrane Award as the University's Male Athlete of the Year, and the Harry Agganis Award as the Team MVP, and was selected to play in the Blue-Gray Senior All-Star football classic.