So long Lynx…..you’ll be missed!

I’ve always considered October 15,1998 to be one of the most rewarding and memorable days of my sportscasting career. A new team, the Augusta Lynx, was playing its first game against the Jacksonville Lizard Kings. The team asked me if I could handle radio play-by-play duties for opening night. Growing up in Pittsburgh and New Jersey, I saw my share of hockey games and I jumped at the opportunity to call the first game in Augusta Lynx hockey history.
I will never forget the atmosphere that night at James Brown Arena. Believe it or not, more than 7,000 fans packed the building. It was loud…it was exciting…it was what minor league professional sports should be. Many people that night were attending their first hockey game and didn’t know the difference between a blue line and a red line. They didn’t care about knowing the rules of the game. All they cared about that night was coming out and supporting a new team that played a sport many people in this city were not familiar with. It was a special night and I still get goose bumps thinking about that game.
Thoughts of that opening night 10 years ago raced through my head last week when Lynx owners annnounced they were suspending team operations. Augusta became the first team in the history of the ECHL fold during the season. I was at the press conference when Lynx co-owner Jan Burch stepped up to the microphone and begged for someone to help them out financially and save the season. I can tell you that Mrs. Burch’s tears were real. I’ve spoken to her a number of times off camera to know that she loves this city and wanted hockey to survive and thrive in Augusta. Along with her husband, Robert, and co-owner/GM Dan Troutman, this ownership group saved hockey from dying in Augusta two-and-a-half years ago. I hope Lynx fans never forget this fact. Sadly, the money ran out and it all came to an end last week. Many fine people who gave their heart and soul to the organization are now without jobs.
Losing the Lynx is not good for Augusta. I don’t think many people understand the impact minor-league sports can have on a city and its youth. Some of the greatest memories from my childhood revolve around minor-league/professional sporting events. Luckily I had a father who took me to hundreds of minor-league hockey, soccer and baseball games. I remember idolizing these players. One year, while living in Oklahoma, the Tulsa Roughnecks won the NASL soccer championship. We attended just about every home soccer game that year. Shortly after the Roughnecks championship season, financial difficulties doomed the team and league. The Roughnecks were history and a young boy missed the team dearly. I can’t help but think there is more than one young Lynx fan who is feeling the same thing right now.