Published: June 06, 2009 11:27 pm      

ASHLAND ELKS SPORTS DAY: Former Tomcat great to be honored at ceremony

Bobby Lynch was a star from the time he was a young pitcher in Little League, being a part of the 1961 Ashland National Little League state champions.

Winning became the norm for him ... no matter what sport he was playing. He was the man you wanted with the ball in his hand, whether it was on the mound or in the closing seconds of a basketball game.

One of Ashland’s all-time high school baseball heroes, Lynch had a remarkable athletic career before graduating in 1968.

He played on three consecutive high school baseball state champions from 1966-68, played in the Sweet Sixteen in Freedom Hall in 1966 and went to Alabama on a basketball scholarship under C.M. Newton.

Lynch played against and even guarded one of college basketball’s greatest players, “Pistol” Pete Maravich of LSU. Lynch also dropped a career-high 34 points on second-ranked University of Kentucky as a sophomore in an 86-71 loss.

So to most, it’s no surprise that the Ashland Elks Sports Day committee made another outstanding choice for the summer’s Man of the Year.

But to a man who has made Ashland his home for much of his life, the honor is quite humbling.

“It’s humbling because most everybody involved is involved in team sports,” he said. “To try to single one person out from the group, to recognize just one person, it’s kind of humbling when it’s you. It’s humbling because you know everybody on your team was involved in whatever success you had as a player.”

Lynch, who owns and operates The Frame Up Gallery, a business in downtown Ashland, with his wife and is one of the city’s favorite sons. He and wife Jo Etta raised their family here — sons Robby and Ryan and daughter Sarah. They are well known for their community involvement and Bobby Lynch is a well-known Tomcat.

Playing in the glorious era of the 1960s, Lynch was a key pitcher on the three-peat baseball championship teams and a star guard in basketball when, as a sophomore, the Tomcats won the 16th Region title.

“You know, you look at that era, and you could pick a lot of people,” Lynch said. “What about Tim Huff or Billy (Lynch, Bobby’s brother)? There were good football players, good baseball players and good basketball players. It was a great time for Tomcat sports. I’m just humbled they chose me. I don’t know why they chose me, but I’m really humbled they did.”

Lynch found out about the honor at the end of last year’s banquet honoring major league umpire Charlie Reliford.

“When Dirk (David Payne) called my name, it kind of surprised me,” Lynch said. “Several people in my family knew it. When you hear your name, it’s like Wow! I look back on that board (where the photos of past Elks honorees are hung on the wall), those were the guys that meant so much to me. People like Ernie Chattin and Bo McMillen. It’s amazing to think of my photo being up there with people like that. I don’t feel worthy of it.”

Lynch more than fits the criteria of the Elks Sports Day honoree. Not only did he contribute mightily on the athletic fields, but he has also been a productive citizen in life and in his hometown.

“We feel great about our selection of Bobby Lynch as the Sports Day honoree,” said committee chairman George Stout. “He was a great high school athlete at Ashland who performed at the highest levels and played in college for C.M. Newton at Alabama. We’re proud to have Bobby Lynch in our community and proud to have him as the 35th Sports Day honoree.”

The Elks Sports Day program will be July 17-18 at the lodge. Tickets are available for $30 at Ashland Sporting Goods, The Frame Up Gallery and the Elks lodge. The first night is a reception and the second night is the banquet.

MARK MAYNARD can be reached at mmaynard@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2648.