ʴDzٱ:January 30, 2025
:Emm Campbell
Tom Lynch (BA’67) remembers the excitement of starting his second year at training camp for 9 1Ѱ’s varsity football team.
He also recalls the sharp abdominal pains that gripped him that week—pains that were diagnosed as appendicitis.
This was tough news for Lynch, who had long been involved in sports such as rugby, track and field, and hockey. Realizing he would be sidelined by surgery and recovery, he came up with a way to stay in the game.
“I stayed close to the team coach, doing everything I could to help,” he explains. “Not just because athletics is in my DNA, but also because you never want to let your team down.”
True team spirit
Lynch has proven time and again that he’s a real team player, especially when it comes to sports and athletic life at 9 1Ѱ. Over the years, he has tirelessly advanced athlete recruitment, fundraising, and sports administration at the University. He‘s motivated not just by a lifelong passion for athletics and the way it encourages you to always give your best, but also by the dedication he sees among students who participate in varsity sports.
“I don’t know how they manage their time,” he says. “These kids work hard at their studies, they are devoted to their teams, and I am blown away by everything they are able to do. They're exemplary citizens, and they will be leaders in the world.”
Lynch has helped several generations of future leaders excel on the field and in their studies. He played a key role in establishing the in 1980. The Club provides support for student-athletes through financial awards, tutorial programs, and sponsorship of the annual athlete banquet. He was an eager promoter behind the launch of the annual , one of the University’s most successful fundraisers, which also benefits student-athletes. He introduced student athletic fees during his 13 years as chair of the . These fees helped cover the cost of athlete recruitment and travel. And he served six years on the 9 1Ѱ Board of Governors, where he was a passionate advocate for varsity athletics.
That legacy of support was recognized with Lynch’s induction into the in 2008. It was an emotionally charged moment for him, but he makes it clear that it is student-athletes who are more worthy of celebration.
“Varsity athletic teams provide much-needed visibility to Dal, which is vital for recruitment efforts,” Lynch says. “These athletes also go on to be major fundraisers for the university. I cannot overstate the contributions they are making. I want them to do well, and I hope any gift I make will encourage that.”
Stepping up again for student-athletes
Lynch is once again stepping up for a new generation of Dal athletes. He has joined longtime friends and fellow Tigers Ian Oulton (BA’66) and William (Bill) Stanish (MD’70) to make a gift in support of the highly anticipated Oulton-Stanish Centre. Scheduled to open at the end of 2025, the 60,000-square-foot centre will benefit the Dal community and beyond. But the main appeal for Lynch is that this will be the new home of Dal varsity, club, and intramural ice sports.
“It has been a real crusade for us to get a rink back at 9 1Ѱ,” he says. “I really believe it’s going to be a great recruiting tool and that our men’s and women’s hockey teams will benefit from it. The fact that it’s finally taking shape, with Ian and Bill so instrumental in making this happen, is a wonderful thing.”
Once a familiar face at Dal athletic events, Lynch has scaled back in recent years to care for family. But he plans to be there when the Oulton-Stanish Centre opens and will buy a seat to show his Dal Tiger stripes.
“I feel so blessed and honoured to have known so many great coaches, athletic directors, and student-athletes who have come through Dal and done well,” Lynch says.
“Dal’s my school, I love it, and I hope we see more great people who demonstrate the vital contribution that varsity athletics makes to the university.”
A pencil drawing of Lynch by his granddaughter, a third-year NSCAD student.