LYNN — Opponents became friends – at least, for lunch.
The Lynn High School Football Luncheon was a game of ‘Who’s Who?’ in the City of Lynn, with local sports giants, politicians, and educators coming together ahead of the Thanksgiving football games on Wednesday and Thursday.
The annual event, hosted by The Rotary Club of Lynn and held at Knights of Columbus Hall, recognized football captains, cheerleaders, band members, coaches, and athletic staff members from the five Lynn high schools.
“It’s such a unique environment with so many teams,” said State Representative-Elect Sean Reid, a Lynn Classical alumnus and Rotarian who helped organize the event. “As a community, we want to highlight it.”
Unique, indeed. The luncheon originally featured just Lynn Classical and Lynn English, but now includes Lynn Tech, St. Mary’s, and KIPP Academy. Tuesday marked the 102nd luncheon.
“This is a longtime staple on Rotary’s calendar,” said 12-year Rotarian Ray Bastarache. “It’s unique to the City of Lynn. Nobody has five high schools. To be able to get them together, it’s just tremendous. We love doing it.”
Ahead of the big meal – or, one of the week’s big meals – Rotary Club President Jean-Marie Minto touched upon the history of her organization.
“In the early 1900s, they decided it was important to come together and support Lynn,” she said. “It’s not a coincidence the Lynn Rotary Club exists every year.”
With handshakes, hugs, and varsity football jackets filling the room, Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson said, “These moments are so special for all of us.
“It’s an opportunity to communicate our values to the next generation,” he said.
Massachusetts State Sen. Brendan Crighton spoke about leadership and the importance of high school athletics.
“I look around at this room of not future leaders, but leaders right now,” he said. “Days like this and weeks like these don’t come together by accident.”
After lunch, the five head coaches – Classical’s Brian Vaughan, English’s Tyllor McDonald, Tech’s James Runner, KIPP’s Jim Rabbitt, and St. Mary’s Sean Driscoll – said a few words.
“This is a special event,” Vaughan said. “I was a part of this as a 17-year-old captain of English, and I cherish that.”
“This is our eighth year doing this and I think I say it every year, how great the culture is in the City of Lynn,” Rabbitt said. “There is nothing better than Thanksgiving football.”
Tech and KIPP kick things off at Manning Field at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Afterward at 6:30 p.m., St. Mary’s welcomes Bishop Fenwick, while Classical and English square off Thursday morning at 10 a.m.
Tuesday’s luncheon was sponsored by Brotherhood Credit Union, RiverWorks Credit Union, St. Jean’s Credit Union, and Metro Credit Union. Approximately 120 people attended.
