Lionel's wealth of experience, along with the support of the leadership of members of the Youth Division, transformed youth athletics into one of the most dominant divisions within USATF.

Under his leadership, youth programs (which at one time was a committee within USATF more connected with Associations) with a total budget of slightly over one hundred thousand dollars  became a USATF Youth Division. Becoming a USATF Division enabled youth programs to have a more influential role in forging its destiny within USATF. Lionel helped pass legislation that created the youth representative position on the Board of Directors of USATF.

Under his leadership the budget of the Youth Division tripled close to a million dollars in the first four years of his tenure as the Youth Chair. Lionel also was successful in standardizing chip timing as the official timing system used for the National Junior Olympic Cross-Country Championships.

Lionel with the support of the Youth Division was able to move the Division into the 21st century by moving to a paperless registration system for all four (4) of the Youth Division’s national championships, and the advancement procedure leading the Junior Olympics National Championship .

Lionel was also the main catalyst in including disabled  and ambulatory 800 meters races as an exhibition event into the Junior Olympics. Through his leader and with the support of the Youth Executive Committee, and the then IAAF Representative, established the World Youth Trials that was contested in odd years between the Olympics. Lionel received the USATF President Award as well as the Distinguished Service Award and National Youth Coaches award for his accomplishments during prior years.