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Mike Lynch takes the mound as BU's new athletics director
By Brian Fitzgerald
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New Athletics Director Mike Lynch talks to the media at a press conference in the Case Athletic Center's Eilberg Lounge March 31. Photo by Vernon Doucette |
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Right after graduating from Rollins College in 1990, Mike Lynch certainly wasn't thinking about becoming the director of athletics at a major university. He was busy working on his 90-mph fastball for the Peoria Brewers, a minor league affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.
Now he is pitching his vision for BU's athletics program, which, building on past successes, he wants to help take “to the next level.” On March 31 he was named director of athletics.
“I can't think of a better place to be right now,” says Lynch. “I would like to see Boston University's athletics program grow and become more visible, and for the community to see the quality of the complete program we have here.”
Lynch will retain the title of assistant vice president of development for athletics, which he has held since arriving at the University in April 2000, taking over his new position on July 1 from current athletics director Gary Strickler. Strickler will remain as a consultant for a year.
For fours years Lynch has spearheaded BU's fundraising efforts for the John Hancock Student Village.
After receiving his bachelor's degree in political science, he was a minor league pitcher in the Red Sox and Brewers organizations from 1990 to 1993. He coached baseball at Union College for four seasons and earned a master's degree in educational administration from the State University in Albany in 1996. He served as director of athletics development at the University of Miami from 1997 to 1999, when he became the Hurricanes' assistant athletics director for development. While at Miami he helped develop a fundraising campaign for a $40 million basketball arena.
“Mike Lynch has had terrific experience at Boston University with our athletics department through his fundraising duties,” says Jack Parker (SMG'68, Hon.'97), BU's executive director of athletics. “He has been the glue that has held the campaign together for the new John Hancock Student Village. He has done a tremendous job in one of the most successful fundraising campaigns we have ever had at Boston University. It has certainly been the most successful campaign we have ever had for athletics. We're impressed with his ability, his work ethic, and his dedication.”
The campaign, a comprehensive fundraising effort for new facilities, including the Agganis Arena and the student recreation center — both expected to be completed in early 2005 — has raised more than $53 million, with more than 900 donors committed. The campaign also includes the Track and Tennis Center, which was completed in September 2002, and several residence towers, the first of which has been housing students since the fall of 2000.
Lynch says he wants to help BU's athletes develop skills important not only in sports, but in life outside of sports: teamwork, self-discipline, responsibility, and character. “Those assets are what our athletics program is all about,” he says. “We should help our student-athletes achieve on the playing field, but I also want to make sure that they continue to succeed in the classroom, so that once they leave BU they're prepared to enter the real world and ready to make an impact on the future of this country.”
President ad interim Aram Chobanian agrees. “I think it is important to have an active sports program at this University,” he says. “Sports should be an integral part of student life, as long as there is an appropriate balance between academics and athletics. Mike Lynch is committed to seeing that the academic performance of our athletes will continue to be emphasized as we continue to build on our sports programs.”
Lynch “has been a superb colleague since we first recruited him from the University of Miami and has served us well,” says Christopher Reaske, vice president for development and alumni relations. “In fact, in his multifaceted role, Mike has exceeded our high expectations in winning over all constituencies to provide real momentum for securing the kind of external support for athletics that Boston University has long deserved. Mike is a former professional athlete, a hard worker, and a good communicator and leader. He will play a major role in moving athletics at Boston University to even higher levels of achievement. All of us in the senior administration look forward to our continuing partnership with Mike and to supporting him in every way. This is one of those truly right decisions that a university can make.”
Executive Vice President Joseph Mercurio says that since joining Boston University, Lynch's knowledge of intercollegiate athletics, administrative skills, fundraising, and his high level of energy have “contributed significantly to BU's sports and recreation development plans. We are very fortunate,” he says, “to have someone as talented as Mike Lynch within the Boston University community to assume the responsibility of working with student athletes, alumni, staff, and the superb coaches who lead our individual programs.”
Mercurio, Parker, and Lynch have nothing but praise for Strickler, whose tenure as BU athletics director has seen the Terrier ice hockey and women's crews win national championships, student-athletes receive national recognition, and Coach of the Year accolades given to several coaches. For the past two years, BU has won the America East Stuart P. Haskell, Jr., Commissioner's Cup, which annually recognizes the strongest athletics program in America East.
“Gary Strickler has numerous achievements to his credit at the very highest level of performance,” says Mercurio. “He transformed our department of athletics into one of the best run programs in Division I athletics. He has shepherded in a new era of achievement and revitalized both the human and physical resources that our students will have available to them for generations to come. The administration is deeply grateful to him for a lifetime of meritorious service to our students.”
Lynch says that he wants to continue Strickler's efforts to increase the exposure BU sports teams enjoy locally. “I'd also like to be able to show people regionally and nationally all the accomplishments the athletics program is capable of achieving — not only historically, but also going forward in the future,” he says.
“I couldn't be more excited about this opportunity.”
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April 2004
Boston University
Office of University Relations