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Thursday, July 3, 2008
This Week in the News:
Staff Photos By Sam Martin
Scott Zern speaks during the dedication of the softball press box in his late wife’s name prior to a game on June 24. Lynn Zern, a longtime softball coach for BCLUW, passed away in 2006. Scott and Lynn’s children Angie, Amy and Tim (behind Scott from left) were on hand for the dedication.
Zern’s influence lives on
By Sam Martin
The Record Sports
Tears fell and smiles flashed as the BCLUW community gathered last week to remember one of its most influential citizens.
Lynn Zern was a coach, mentor, friend and leader. An assistant softball coach under David Lee for 13 years, she also coached volleyball and basketball, and served as the longtime program director of Conrad Main Street. She died in 2006 after a two-year battle with cancer.
On June 24, the community packed the bleachers at the BCLUW softball field for the dedication of the new press box in Lynn’s name.
“Lynn was a very humble person,” said her husband, Scott. “I’m not positive how she’d feel about a building with her name on it, but I am very sure of this: If her name was associated with the BCLUW softball Comet program, I’m sure she would be very honored and proud.”
Scott was one of several speakers to recall Lynn’s enthusiasm for softball, and her love for the girls she coached.
Following the 2006 season, a group of players would convene each Monday at the Zerns’ home to play games and share laughs. Among them were Andy Cashin and Kris Penick, the two seniors on this year’s softball team.
“We always talk about having an edge, something that makes us better than our opponents and helps us win games,” said Cashin. “And our edge is Lynn, because Lynn’s always there for us, and she never leaves, and it means everything to us.”
Scott talked about his usual game-day routine — parking beyond the outfield fence, then walking to the concession stand behind home plate for dinner.
“I’d walk by left field and there would be Lynn, hitting balls to the outfielders,” he said. “Every now and then she’d notice me walking by and she’d give me a cute little smile and a little wave. That image will probably always stay in my mind.”
Even as she dealt with chemotherapy and complications of the disease, her focus remained on the softball team.
“I remember coming home every now and then,” Scott recalled, “and she’d say, ‘Scotty, I really didn’t feel the best tonight, but I don’t think the girls could tell. I just really like being with the girls, they’re such a nice group.’”
The $170,000 project was built this spring, and completed just before the start of the softball season. It features a much larger press box, expanded concession area and larger bathrooms — something Lynn, who didn’t like the old ones, would’ve appreciated.
“Our intention with the memorial money was to make larger, nicer bathrooms that were easy to clean,” Scott said. “And I really think we got that done because just in the last week, a couple women came up to me and said, ‘We really enjoyed our bathroom experience at the softball game.’
“I didn’t ask for any details on that,” he joked.
Lee said he remembers Lynn as selfless, and always ready to help.
“She was a person whose influence will continue to be felt in this community,” he said. “We might see a building with her name on it, but we’re going to recognize that spirit of belief in yourself. If there’s anything that she portrayed to us as people, and even me as the head coach, but particularly to the kids, it’s you have to believe in yourself. And we certainly take that away from the memory of her.”
Scott recalled a trip he made with his wife to a game at Vinton-Shellsburg. After a Comet struck out to end the inning, Lynn grabbed the player’s shoulders, encouraging her and trying to raise her spirits.
“So a couple innings later, she came up to the plate and absolutely ripped the very first pitch into left-center,” Scott said. “I think she was stranded on the base paths but before she could get to the dugout, Lynn ran over to her and she was almost squealing, she was so happy.
“Lynn passed away that November. Another softball season passed, and I was out at the cemetery mowing … this girl pulled up, and she parked right in front of Lynn’s tombstone, got out, and had like a nice 15-minute visit with her. As she left, I caught her face and I just broke out in tears. It was the same girl that Lynn had helped batting at the Vinton-Shellsburg game. I was just so proud that Lynn actually left that big an impact on some girls, and I was happy that a girl would appreciate her that much.”
Judging by the sizable crowd in attendance for the dedication, it’s clear that Lynn had that impact on many in the community.