Shirley Lynch; Class of 1981
Shirley Lynch was born in 1963 in Traverse City, Michigan, to Lois and Fred Lynch, the second of three children. Her parents moved to East Lansing in the early 60’s. She attended Glencairn Elementary and Hannah Middle School.
From 1977 – 1981, Shirley attended East Lansing High School excelling in Basketball, Volleyball and Track & Field, earning 8 school letters (4 in Track & Field) and setting school records in the discus and 4x400m (along with Judi Brown). State finals in the discus. All CAC conference selection in all 3 sports.
During that time, Shirley was an avid beach volleyball player, winning several local tournaments (in those years mostly a T-Shirt and a quart of blueberries). She was also a member of the AAU Junior National Volleyball team for the mid-west region and a First Class Girl Scout.
In 1981 – 1985, Shirley was recruited by Kathy DeBoer, and attended Ferris State University on a volleyball scholarship. At FSU, Shirley was an All-Conference, and All-Regional player setting records in service aces, blocking and attack percentage. She received a B.S. in Business Teacher Education. Thanks to Evonne Picard, Shirley was able to do her student teaching at ELHS and was assistant coach for the volleyball team.
During the summer months Shirley worked for SCI – Sports Camps International, running volleyball camps all across Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.
1985 – 1986, upon graduation, Shirley had an unsuccessful trial with the US National Team. Thereafter she signed a one year contract with RC Cannes in Cannes, France. Shirley was the first foreigner to play on the team that today is one of the best teams in France.
1986 – 1987, Shirley returned to the U.S. and worked as Assistant Women’s Volleyball coach at Northeastern University in Boston, as well as working as a full time substitute teacher at Boston Latin.
1987-2007, Shirley returned to Europe - Switzerland this time - playing first for FC Moudon – again as their first foreign player, and then for Genevé Elite along with Xi Lang – setter for the Chinese National Team. Shirley's teams were Swiss Cup finalists. She participated in European Cup Tournaments in Spain, Hungry, the Netherlands, Germany, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Italy – to name a few. During this time she was also assistant coach for the Swiss Junior National Team.
Most teams had little or no money so Shirley was quite often asked to work, and the jobs were always very interesting from modeling to selling skiing equipment – anything was possible, she coached and she taught English, and enjoyed every minute.
1988 – 1990, Shirley was a member of the Swiss National Team. She played against Japan, China, Cuba, France, Italy, Russia and the United States. Although her team rarely won a game, it was an unforgettable experience. She was also a finalist in the Swiss Beach Volleyball tournament.
1990 – 2007, Shirley transferred to the Swiss Italian canton of Ticino and played for Bellinzona, Lugano and Chiasso. She was also the Player/Coach for Lugano. In 2007 at age 44, admist teammates less than half her age, Shirley finally hung up her shoes and knee pads.
Shirley is fluent in English (maybe a little rusty here), French and Italian, and has a basic knowledge of German. During most of her playing years few Europeans spoke any English. As a foreigner, the only VISA available was a student VISA so she attended their Universities, ULCA (Universita Libre della Cote d’Azzur), Cannes, France and Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Shirly is a mother of two, Kyle (19) and Cody (17) and lives in Bioggio, Switzerland a small town (population roughly 3,000) in the suburbs of Lugano, about 30 min. north of Como, Italy and one hour north of Milan.
In 2007 Shirley returned to school and is now a Certified Swiss Accountant.
She is the CFO, and partner in the company Climasystem SA, specializing in Air-conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation for both private and industrial customers.
ELHS Hall of Fame - Shirley Lynch video highlight on YouTube
From 1977 – 1981, Shirley attended East Lansing High School excelling in Basketball, Volleyball and Track & Field, earning 8 school letters (4 in Track & Field) and setting school records in the discus and 4x400m (along with Judi Brown). State finals in the discus. All CAC conference selection in all 3 sports.
During that time, Shirley was an avid beach volleyball player, winning several local tournaments (in those years mostly a T-Shirt and a quart of blueberries). She was also a member of the AAU Junior National Volleyball team for the mid-west region and a First Class Girl Scout.
In 1981 – 1985, Shirley was recruited by Kathy DeBoer, and attended Ferris State University on a volleyball scholarship. At FSU, Shirley was an All-Conference, and All-Regional player setting records in service aces, blocking and attack percentage. She received a B.S. in Business Teacher Education. Thanks to Evonne Picard, Shirley was able to do her student teaching at ELHS and was assistant coach for the volleyball team.
During the summer months Shirley worked for SCI – Sports Camps International, running volleyball camps all across Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.
1985 – 1986, upon graduation, Shirley had an unsuccessful trial with the US National Team. Thereafter she signed a one year contract with RC Cannes in Cannes, France. Shirley was the first foreigner to play on the team that today is one of the best teams in France.
1986 – 1987, Shirley returned to the U.S. and worked as Assistant Women’s Volleyball coach at Northeastern University in Boston, as well as working as a full time substitute teacher at Boston Latin.
1987-2007, Shirley returned to Europe - Switzerland this time - playing first for FC Moudon – again as their first foreign player, and then for Genevé Elite along with Xi Lang – setter for the Chinese National Team. Shirley's teams were Swiss Cup finalists. She participated in European Cup Tournaments in Spain, Hungry, the Netherlands, Germany, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Italy – to name a few. During this time she was also assistant coach for the Swiss Junior National Team.
Most teams had little or no money so Shirley was quite often asked to work, and the jobs were always very interesting from modeling to selling skiing equipment – anything was possible, she coached and she taught English, and enjoyed every minute.
1988 – 1990, Shirley was a member of the Swiss National Team. She played against Japan, China, Cuba, France, Italy, Russia and the United States. Although her team rarely won a game, it was an unforgettable experience. She was also a finalist in the Swiss Beach Volleyball tournament.
1990 – 2007, Shirley transferred to the Swiss Italian canton of Ticino and played for Bellinzona, Lugano and Chiasso. She was also the Player/Coach for Lugano. In 2007 at age 44, admist teammates less than half her age, Shirley finally hung up her shoes and knee pads.
Shirley is fluent in English (maybe a little rusty here), French and Italian, and has a basic knowledge of German. During most of her playing years few Europeans spoke any English. As a foreigner, the only VISA available was a student VISA so she attended their Universities, ULCA (Universita Libre della Cote d’Azzur), Cannes, France and Lausanne University, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Shirly is a mother of two, Kyle (19) and Cody (17) and lives in Bioggio, Switzerland a small town (population roughly 3,000) in the suburbs of Lugano, about 30 min. north of Como, Italy and one hour north of Milan.
In 2007 Shirley returned to school and is now a Certified Swiss Accountant.
She is the CFO, and partner in the company Climasystem SA, specializing in Air-conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation for both private and industrial customers.
ELHS Hall of Fame - Shirley Lynch video highlight on YouTube