Jimmy Lynch ‘99

Long-time Basketball Coach & Math Department Faculty Member

James Lynch embodies the Franciscan spirit in the varied roles in his life: teacher, coach, father and friend. He’s been an active part of the Prep community for more than three decades. The SFP Alumni Golf Committee is delighted to honor him at this year’s event.

James Lynch grew up in Rego Park and attended SFP from 19961999. He has been associated with the Terrier Basketball Program for three decades. He played both baseball and basketball in his freshmen year. By his junior year he choose to dedicate himself solely to basketball and played under the leadership of the late, legendary Hall of Fame coach, Tim Leary ‘63. He was a standout player for the Terriers and was a great student.

After graduating from Prep, he went on to study at St. Francis College and graduated with a degree in business management. After a brief stint in the business world, Jimmy chose to pursue a career he was more passionate about--teaching! In 2003, he joined the faculty at Cathedral Preparatory Seminary High School where he taught for two years. The sport he played still held a special place in his heart and while he was still teaching at Cathedral Prep, Jimmy was hired (in 2004) to coach the SFP Freshman team. He led the Terrier Freshmen team for five seasons and then rose up to lead the JV team for the next five seasons before joining Coach Leary’s staff on the Varsity team. It was there that Lynch and Leary developed a close bond.

“I learned from Coach Leary how to run a first-class program and how to do it with integrity and dignity,” Lynch said. “More important than that, he was a mentor for me and taught me how to be a man and how to raise a family.” Their mutual respect led Leary to handpick Lynch as his successor by the time he retired after the 2017 season.

The opportunity to carry on the great tradition of his mentor was truly a gift to the SFP basketball program and it was also considered a great honor for Lynch.

“Jimmy is an outstanding coach — he is passionate and hardworking and nobody is more prepared than Jimmy to coach.” said Prep’s Athletic Director, Sal Fischetti ‘83. Reflecting upon filling the shoes of the late Coach Tim Leary, Fischetti added, “I always felt that Coach Leary was the best game coach in the league. Jimmy is following Coach Leary in his ability to get the most out of his players everyday.” He went on to say, “And if I were to address the team before a game I would say get us to the Fourth Quarter and Coach Lynch will show you how to win.” In 2020, the Varsity Terriers captured the CHSAA Brooklyn Queens Championship against Xaverian for the first time since 1997.

Returning “home” to Teach

Mr. Lynch is now a well-regarded veteran teacher of Mathematics at St. Francis Preparatory School. In September 2006 (after two years of teaching at Cathedral

Prep) Jimmy returned “home” and joined the faculty at St. Francis Prep’s Math Department. Sr. Mary Ann Nappier, C.S.J. (his department Chair) said, “He is the true professional in every sense of the word. He is thoughtful, honest, fair and straight forward in his handling of professional concerns.” She added, “As Chairperson, I am blessed to have him as member of the mathematics department. James has the ability to work well with students of various ability levels. He is patient yet firm.” Reflecting on the selection of Jimmy Lynch as one of the 2023 Golf Classic honorees, Sr. Mary Ann said, “Honoring James Lynch highlights that a person who quietly goes about his job in an excellent manner, can receive the accolades he deserves.”

As a teacher and a coach, Jimmy has earned the respect of his students, his peers and the administration. Patrick

Team Achievements and Coaching Background

Freshmen Coach • Five Seasons

JV Coach • Five Seasons

Ass’t Varsity/ Assoc. Head Coach • Five Seasons

Varsity Head Coach • Six Seasons (Record 91 wins & 51 losses)

Brooklyn Queens Regular Season Champions

2019-20 Season

Brooklyn Queens Champions

2019/-20 Season

CHSAA “AA” Coach of the Year

2019-20 Season

NYS High School Madness Champions

March 2020

(Covid Season – 78 team high school event)

Brooklyn/Queens Regular Season

Champions 2021/2022 Season

McLaughlin ‘73 (Prep’s Principal) said, “Jimmy is the model of a Teacher-Coach. His focus from his days coaching freshman basketball has always been one of player development and remains to be the focus on his present varsity team.” McLaughlin added, “He understands the mission of being a coach in the CHSAA, always keeping the “C” as a priority in his approach. He inspires his players to achieve excellence by unlocking each player’s potential to maximize their abilities.”

When Sr. Mary Ann announced that she would be retiring after more than 55 years, the administration selected Lynch to succeed her as the Math Department Chairperson.

Family & Friends

Coach Lynch currently resides in Lynbrook and has three wonderful children: Michael, Adriana and Andrew. He is surrounded by a

Kreul Elite Under Armour National Tournament Champions

December 2021

Brooklyn Queens Champions

2021-22 Season

CHSAA “AA” Final Four

2021-22 Season

CHSAA “AA” Coach of the Year

2021/2022 Season

Brooklyn Queens Finalist

2022- 23 Season

CHSAA “AA” Final Four

2022-23 Season

USA Basketball Certified Coach

Member of the Basketball Coaches Association of New York tight-knit group of close friends. Jimmy is described as a loyal friend who cares very much about the people that are closest to him. Jon Pereira ‘99 said, “Jimmy is always the first to respond if you need anything and he’s always there.” Kevin Wagner ‘01 said, “We all know what a great teacher and coach he is, but he is an even better friend and a father. It has been incredible to see what he has done with the basketball program but it really isn’t surprising at all having known him for almost 30 years. He has always been the same guy and Prep is lucky to have him.”

St. Francis Prep is delighted to honor James “Jimmy” Lynch at the tonight’s Golf Classic!

Congratulations Jim and thanks for all that you do for SFP!