On the morning of April 5, Lynch’s Gym reopened on South Bend’s west side at 745 S. Walnut Street.
The gym’s owner, Tom Lynch, who has operated the facility for more than 40 years, welcomed back members and community supporters as the doors opened again. Redress South Bend reporter Sarah Foster spoke briefly with Lynch about the reopening and his reaction to the turnout.
Lynch said he was “surprised and speechless” by the number of people who attended. He credited St. Joseph County Commissioner Derek Dieter with helping rally community support for the event.
Among those present were South Bend Mayor James Mueller, Jeff Rea, the president and chief executive of the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce, St. Joseph County employees, South Bend police officers, and representatives from several media outlets.
Reflecting on his decades as a gym owner, coach, and mentor, Lynch spoke about his approach to working with young people and athletes.
“Every kid that comes through that door, as far as I’m concerned,
is a champion, and that’s how I treated them,” Lynch said.
“I don’t care if they came in first, second, third, or fourth. Whatever they came in,
I congratulated them, and I put their picture up on the wall,” he added.
Lynch also shared stories about encouraging several young people to pursue military service, joking that he sometimes felt like an informal recruiter. One of those he mentored went on to reenlist every four years, a decision Lynch said helped secure that individual’s long term stability and retirement benefits.
Lynch’s influence extends beyond athletics. Community members at the reopening described his gym as a place where people are supported, encouraged, and treated with dignity.
Despite having never met before, Lynch greeted Redress South Bend staff warmly and spoke openly about his work and his community. Supporters said that approach has long defined his role on the west side.
For many residents, Lynch’s Gym has been more than a training space. It has served as a community anchor where young people are encouraged to see themselves as champions, regardless of wins or losses.
