LYNN — There’s something special about the way things come together in Lynn high school sports.
The Edward J. “Nipper” Clancy Tournament at Fraser Field is a perfect example.
When first-year English coach Doug Mullins — who played at Classical — brought his Bulldogs to Fraser Field Friday, he watched his Lynn baseball career come full-circle. Moreover, his inclusion as a coach marked the first time in the 36-year history of the tournament that all three Lynn coaches both played and coached in the tournament.
“I played for coach Jim Tgettis at Classical,” Mullins said. “I remember him telling me one year that at one point he coached all of the guys coaching in that year’s Clancy Tournament. To have played, and to now come back to coach in it, is a privilege. It’s something I take pride in.”
“It comes full circle,” St. Mary’s coach Derek Dana said. “If you’re a Lynn guy and you coach in Lynn, the Clancy Tournament’s something you look forward to. You want to compete and hopefully come out on top.”
All three coaches, including Classical’s Mike Zukowski, played for former Spartans and Rams coach Jim Tgettis. Along with coaches Frank Carey of North Reading, Dick Maag of Classical and Bart Conlon of Tech, Tgettis was one of the tournament’s four founders in 1982.
“Having three former players that are coaches in the tournament is extra special,” Tgettis, who also coached at Salem High, said. “I’m very happy for them. I’m very happy that it’s still going on. I believe it’s wonderful preparation for the state tournament. If you’re not going to states, it’s a wonderful opportunity for bragging rights. It’s a great chance to honor a great guy. I hope it continues for another 36 years.”
Classical and St. Mary’s, along with North Reading, entered the tournament having already sealed their state tournament bids. The Rams punched their ticket with a victory over Everett earlier this week, while the Spartans did so with a win over Archbishop Williams last week.
Both Dana and Zukowski believe the Clancy Tournament provides a solid indication for the level of competition their teams will see in states.
“It’s a nice tournament to get ready for states,” Dana said. “The atmosphere’s excellent. Fans come out and support it. It’s nice to play in front of a great crowd at Fraser Field. There’s nothing better.”
“We put it out there as if its a mini state tournament to get ourselves ready,” Zukowski said. “It’s always a good test to see where you’re at. Everyone’s on their toes and ready to go.”
Zukowski’s Rams won the tournament last year when they defeated St. Mary’s in the championship game. The pride factor that’s tied into performing well in the Clancy’s one Zukowski experienced in his playing days. It hasn’t changed since.
“I remember going to watch the tournament when I was a kid,” Zukowski said. “I remember playing in it. Now I’m coaching in it, and it’s the same thing. There’s a lot of pride in this tournament. It’s bragging rights in the city.”
Zukowski added, “I take a ton of pride in being born and raised in Lynn, and playing in Lynn. There’s a lot of pride.”
Dana, who has won six Clancy Tournaments as a coach and two as a player, agrees.
“Since I played in it, it’s been an important tournament in the city of Lynn,” Dana said. “Coach Tgettis told us a lot about Nipper Clancy and what a great coach he was. It’s always been an important tournament to us.”
English came into this year’s tournament needing to win out the remainder of its season to clinch a berth in states. The Bulldogs fell short of that goal with a 12-3 loss to North Reading in the first round. Despite the loss, there’s no reason to discount English’s chances of making noise in this morning’s (11) consolation game against St. Mary’s.
“It’s a great tournament for Lynn,” Mullins said. “It’s good baseball. It’s a good way to close out the season. It’s great for the kids to play against kids they grew up playing against. There’s a lot of pride on the line playing in the Clancy Tournament.”
St. Mary’s fell to Classical, 4-3, in the first round. North Reading and Classical will battle for the tournament’s championship this afternoon (2).
