WILMINGTON- Legendary coaches Fred Lynch and Ruby Sutton will forever be remembered in the lure of E.A. Laney High School Friday, when their names are etched in on the basketball court of Michael Jordan Gymnasium. A court dedication ceremony will take place immediately following the varsity girls basketball game, which tips off at 6 p.m., in honor of their decades of service to athletics within the Buctown community.
Lynch helped make Laney basketball a respected and widely known program across the state. During his 27 years as coach, he compiled more than 500 wins and led the Bucs to the 1999 state championship game against West Charlotte. He also coached Laney to the state sectionals in 1985 and 1987.
“I know that [Fred] held a unique position in many of the kids’ lives. He always stuck to his fundamentals and principles, first and foremost of being an outstanding student and a good citizen. The only thing that changed within the Laney basketball program over the years has been the kids.
“Fred has been a consistent leader. Both Fred and Ms. Sutton will always be remembered and rightfully so for the contributions to both education and athletics at Laney,” Cedric Dickerson, former assistant coach under Lynch from 1996-2012, said.
Under Lynch, the Bucs won the conference in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1991, 1998, and 2000. In 2010, Laney won the Leon Brogden Holiday Tournament. During his decorated career, Lynch also served as the North Carolina East-West All Star coach and North-South All Star coach.
“As a sophomore on a team full of upperclassmen, coach Lynch really took me under his wing and paid attention to the details of my life, not only as a player, but as a person. Some of the things he preached were the same principles that have stuck with me through my playing career at Laney, during my collegiate career and now in the workforce,” Lee Jones, who played under Lynch from 2001-2004, said.
After taking over as Laney’s athletic director, Lynch turned the team over to Nathan Faulk. He served as Faulk’s mentor in his early years when Faulk worked as his assistant. This past summer, Faulk began the Fred Lynch Invitational in honor of Lynch and his service to the basketball program. The invitational tournament is now an annual event during the last week of June each summer.
“Coach Lynch has always been there for me. I can’t thank him enough for what he has taught me. He’s been more than a mentor, he’s like a second father. He helped me get my coaching career started, and the same goes for Ms. Sutton. It means a lot to me not only from a basketball standpoint but also personally, we are all very close. We thought this would be a perfect way to give thanks to two people that have been so influential to Laney athletics,” Faulk said.
Ruby Sutton has been a staple at Laney High School for the better part of three decades. She has coached an array of sports during her 34 year tenure, from boys tennis to volleyball and cheerleading. Sutton led the volleyball team to the state championship in 1996.
“Ms. Sutton never accepted the word can’t. As the only freshman on the varsity volleyball team, she really helped me push through my doubts as a person and a player on the court. She made me realize that can’t is never an option, and if an opportunity is there, I can make it happen. That is something I carry with me now at Howard University and it’s something I’ll always remember when going through life,” Jinae Baker (2004-2008 Laney volleyball) said.
“This is a long time coming for coach [Sutton]. It’s well deserved and I’m thankful for everything she has done for me during my time at Laney. I’m glad that I’ll have a chance to say ‘thank you’ along with the rest of the other former players that will be at the ceremony,” Baker said.
Sutton just wrapped up her 31st season as head coach of the Lady Bucs volleyball team. She still serves as one of the schools physical education teachers.
“This is a great way for the school to show that we really appreciate everything [Sutton] has done and continues to do for us at Laney. Sutton has been there for me to help me every way possible on and off the court. She’s pushed me to be the best I can possibly be.
“Sutton has taught me to always be dedicated in what I do, to always be positive and strive to be the best. Looking back at my time as a senior now at Laney, she made me understand the importance of being a good role model on everyone and really pushed myself to be at my best so everyone could follow,” volleyball player Kelli Gottry said.
A number of former players and coaches are expected to attend tonight’s ceremony. To coincide with the occasion, the inaugural Laney basketball alumni game will be at noon Saturday on the newly dedicated Fred Lynch-Ruby Sutton court.
All former Laney basketball players are encouraged to attend for a great time and a chance to lace the high tops up and relive their high school careers at Laney.
