Jerry Emmet Lynch - Football, Boxing - Coach, Leader, Teacher
Year Inducted: 1990
On Thursday, March 11, 1976, Jerry called together a group of men for lunch at Armbruster’s Club on Griswold Street in Port Huron to discuss the formation of a “Port Huron Sports Hall of Fame”.
Interest was great, progress was moderate, but by dawn of 1977 a 15-member Board of Trustees was selected, by-laws written, a logo developed, and the public was encouraged to submit candidates for the first annual enshrinement.
As founder of the PHSHOF and chosen first (and eighth) President of its Board of Trustees, Jerry admits tremendous pride in the Hall’s acceptance as a shining tribute to Port Huron’s great sports tradition.
As teacher and head basketball and football coach at St. Stephen High, a Class “B” school and the only non-public school in the eight team St. Clair Area League, from 1954-62, Jerry’s baseball team won two league championships, his basketball teams won two district championships and his football teams twice had 6-1 records. Among the fine athletes who played for him are Jim Gosger, a major league ballplayer for seven years, and David O’Connor, drafter out of college by the Cleveland Browns Football Team.
Born in Sullivan, Wisconsin, January 23, 1921, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin (Whitewater) where he lettered in football and was Welterweight Boxing Champion for three years.
He served as an artillery officer in the United States Marine Corps in WWII with combat memories from Guadalcanal, Peleliu and Okinawa with the 1st Marine Division.
After five years writing experience with the Chicago Tribune he entered Michigan State and received a Master’s Degree in 1954.
In 1962, he joined the staff of Port Huron Junior College (now St. Clair County Community College). He retired in 1985 as Director of Adult and Continuing Education.
He married Alice McGuffey, a nurse from Kalamazoo. They have seven children: Mrs. Catherine Fruge, Mrs. Patricia Hyde, Daniel, Mrs. Barbara Lawrence, Mrs. Mary Polemitis, Matthew, and Mrs. Jacqueline Oldham. They have 16 grandchildren.
He served on the Hall of Fame Board of Trustees until 1986, and still retains a strong interest in the Hall, St. Stephen Alumni, SC4, Kiwanis, roses, St. Joseph Church and golf.
