University of Minnesota Crookston Athletics

Lysaker began his coaching career at the Northwest School of Agriculture in 1944. He coached both basketball and football. His teams averaged better than .700 over this span. He was a highly respected and adorn instructor and coach. He was known for his dedicated recruiting as he spent countless hours traveling to homes and communities. He served as the first Athletic Director at UMC from 1966-73.

In 1973 he was named Assistant to the Provost and worked with the well-known Stan Sahlstrom. In 1975 Lysaker was presented with the UMC Torch and Shield Award for his outstanding contribution to the college community. After 32 years of dedication to the University, Lysaker retired in 1976. At his retirement, Lysaker was quoted, "Athletes learn to accept disappointment and handle glory. We live in a competitive world and I think athletes learn to keep on competing and make a success out of many areas of life."

In 1977 he was inducted into the Minnesota Football Hall of Fame. In 1992 he was inducted into the Concordia College Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1982 the University of Minnesota Board of Regents named the new gymnasium in his honor-Lysaker Gymnasium.