He helped coach the Bloomington Jefferson boys basketball team to three state titles in 1982, 1986 and 1987 as well as many athletes that included his four sons.
On December 20, Jake Lynch passed away at the age of 85.
Lynch was also a World History teacher at Jefferson from 1970-1997 and I had him for a teacher my junior year but I remember him the most from my days as boys basketball statistician junior and senior year.
Before he came to Jefferson, he coached at St Cloud Cathedral before he headed south to Owatonna. He left Minnesota to become the head basketball coach at Central High School in Billings, Montana and led the Rams to a fourth place finish in the 1965 state tournament. He then left The Treasure State to return to Minnesota and became the assistant football and track coach at Waconia High School before settling into Bloomington in 1968, serving as the assistant football coach at Lincoln.
In 1970, when Jefferson opened, Lynch moved down 102nd St. to teach World History and serve as an assistant boys basketball and football coach. He was also the junior varsity coach where he coached many talented athletes, including his four sons.
The first was Mike, who graduated with me in 1980. He was a starter along with a guard who would later succeed his father Jack as head coach, Jeff Evens. Though he was the only Lynch never to play in a state tournament, one memorable moment stands out. With time running out and the Jaguars behind against Burnsville, Chris MacGowan misses a shot but Mike tips in the rebound for the game winner.
The second was John, who played in two state tournaments in 1981, where they lost to Anoka in the Class AA quarterfinals and in 1982 as a part of the state championship team. John's brother Tim was also part of the Class AA title team that included Greg Montbriand, Mark Nelson and Steve Hill.
The last of the Lynches would turn out to be one of the best players to wear a Jefferson uniform and it would be Kevin. A three year starter, he played in three state tournaments, including the school's last two state titles in 1986 and 1987. But his playing career wasn't over yet. He would play four years at Minnesota under Clem Haskins and had a short stint in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets before heading overseas. He currently is a studio analyst for Bally Sports North and a color commentator for 45TV's state tournament coverage.
In 1997, Jake retired from coaching but he got to see his grandson Kyle play for Jefferson, where one of his teammates, Brian Mariska is the son of another former Jaguar guard Todd Mariska. I also got to see his granddaughter Grace in action as a member of the St. Louis Park girls lacrosse team where I still do the public address announcing to this day.
My condolences go out to the Lynch family on Jake's passing and may he rest in peace.
No comments:
Post a Comment