Channel 5 sports mainstay Mike Lynch to retire from anchoring
Mike Lynch, one of the most respected sports broadcasters in Boston television history, announced Thursday that he will retire as principal sports anchor at Channel 5 in August.
Lynch, known as “Lynchie’’ to legions of sports fans, has been at Channel 5 for 37 years. The 16-time Massachusetts Sportscaster of the Year and champion of high school sports will transition into a part-time role at the station as a special sports correspondent.
“After nearly forty years at WCVB, I’ve decided it’s time to step away from the daily anchoring of SportsCenter 5. But it’s not goodbye. I’m looking forward to remaining in the sports mix at the station,’’ he said, citing major events, special assignments, and his “High 5’’ and “High 5: Salute to Thanksgiving Heroes,’’ his trademark segments saluting the achievements of high school athletes, as contributions he will continue to make.
His final show as the sports anchor will be Aug. 15.
“In my new role as a correspondent, I very much look forward to bringing the same energy and enthusiasm to all of these assignments,’’ he said in the statement. “Working in the greatest sports town where I grew up, and covering so many memorable championships and iconic moments for SportsCenter 5, has been a true privilege and a career I will always treasure.’’
Lynch joined Channel 5 as weekend sports anchor in March 1982, and he was promoted to principal sports anchor in September 1985.
“Mike is unquestionably the Dean of Boston sports broadcasting, and it’s difficult to imagine WCVB’s sports coverage without Lynchie at the helm,’’ said Bill Fine, Channel 5 president and general manager, in a statement. “Not only does he have the absolute respect and trust of everyone in Boston’s professional sports community, but he’s also beloved by the high school sports community for his commitment to advancing high school athletics.
“Lynchie has been featuring the achievements of student athletes in his segment ‘High 5’ for more than three decades, and his encyclopedic knowledge of, and deep admiration for, the region’s schools and players is evident.’’
From 1995 through 2008, Lynch hosted the weekly sports program “Patriots All Access,’’ a behind-the-scenes look at the Patriots, and served as a broadcast commentator during Patriots preseason games. He has also done play-by-play coverage for the Boston Celtics, New England Patriots, and college football. For 11 years, he hosted the Boston College weekly football coach’s show “Eagles Preview’’ on Channel 5.
Lynch was voted Massachusetts Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association in 1985-1991, 1999, 2003, and 2006-12.
Lynch grew up in Swampscott. He graduated from Harvard in 1977. While in college, he quarterbacked and kicked for the Harvard team that won the 1975 Ivy League football championship. He also played first base for the Crimson baseball team.
