Hall of Fame Series: Men’s Cross Country’s Tommy Lynch, BA ’93, Med ’95

Hall of Fame Series: Men’s Cross Country’s Tommy Lynch, BA ’93, Med ’95
Posted: Oct 03, 2019

BOSTON – Over the next few weeks, GoSuffolkRams.com will take a look at the student-athletes and team to be inducted into the Suffolk University Athletics Hall of Fame this October. Our next installment features one of the fastest Rams in men's cross country history, Tommy Lynch, BA '93, Med '95. 

"Go, Tommy, go," could be heard throughout New England's cross country courses in the early 90s, encouraging one of the most successful runners in the Suffolk men's program, Tommy Lynch. 

Lynch's speed and agility were one of the key factors towards his success. The two-year runner, coached by the 2009 Hall of Fame, the late Joe Walsh set the pace early and often for the blue-and-gold to be known as a top runner around the region, while his modest running style served as an important example and a heroic model for his teammates to admire. 

When the Rams shipped up to Manchester, New Hampshire to compete at Saint Anselm's as the only Division III school amongst seven Division II counterparts, Lynch stepped up to the task and put together a second-place showing in the field of 87. Out of 114 runners at the Boston Invitational, which featured the best-of-the-best of Beantown, Lynch once again shined through, finishing 12th. 

Lynch never ran a meet he could not conquer and he proved such by setting records and milestones along the way. He cruised to the course record at Mass. Maritime and graduated as the first-ever Rams' runner to garner All-New England honors, which he accomplished as a senior.

Looking back, Lynch could not be more thankful for his time at Suffolk. 

"I made great connections at Suffolk that certainly helped me land my great career in education and in sports," Lynch said. 

Today, Lynch returned to his Medford High School roots as the 1986 graduate currently works at his alma mater as the school's guidance counselor and serves as the Assistant Cross Country and Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Coach.

The 2019 Hall of Fame Class features seven record setting Rams and one unforgettable team. These honorees join 57 existing Suffolk University Athletic Hall of Fames, including  42 student-athletes, four head coaches, eight teams and three special honorees. 

Helberg is the second men's cross country runner to be inducted into the Suffolk University Athletics Hall of Fame, including multi-sport athletes, joining Brian Callahan, who was enshrined as a part of the 2013 Class. 

The 2019 Suffolk University Athletics Hall of fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Friday, Oct. 25 at Suffolk University's Sarget Hall Atrium and Function Room at 6:30 p.m. Tickets to the event can be purchased here.

THE SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
 The Suffolk University Athletics Hall of Fame will recognize the outstanding achievements of former athletes, coaches and others who have played a most significant role in the history of athletics at our University. 

For a more insider's look on the 2019 Suffolk University Athletics Hall of Fame Class be on the lookout for the Hall of Fame series, which will be published on GoSuffolkRams.com leading up to the event. Specific publication dates on inductees are below: