Lynn Darbyshire's Legacy Honored by Naming of Court on Nov. 12

Please join us in honoring the career and impact of Lynn Darbyshire with a Court Dedication on Nov. 12 as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Miami University Middletown.

Nov 07, 2016

On Saturday, November 12, between the Middletown women’s and men’s basketball games versus Ohio University-Chillicothe, the newly renovated court at the Middletown Campus of Miami University Regionals will be officially renamed the Lynn Darbyshire Court, in honor of the former Miami Middletown coach and beloved student mentor. The women’s game starts at 1 p.m. followed by the men's game at 3 p.m.

To honor the career and impact of Darbyshire, and to help commemorate the 50th anniversary of Miami Middletown Campus, the Board of Directors of the Miriam G. Knoll Foundation of Middletown, Ohio, have committed to $75,000 toward this project, provided that Miami can raise the other half of the funds.

The court has been redesigned, with new painting and finishing, bleachers to comply with ADA regulations, and portable backstops. Help us honor such a deserving individual in and unveil the new court that will be used for students and community members for generations to come.

A little history of Lynn:

Lynn Darbyshire was hired by Dr. Eugene Bennett in 1967 to coach the first basketball team and build an athletic program at Miami University Middletown. As athletic director from 1967-95, Lynn developed an athletic program that is now the benchmark for all regional campuses in Ohio. He coached Men's Basketball from 1967-76, compiling a record of 134-70. His teams won the state tournament championship in 1972 and the conference championship in 1976.

He was also the founder and driving force behind the formation of the Ohio Regional Campus Conference in 1973 and served many years as the commissioner of the ORCC. Under Lynn's direction, the ORCC expanded to offer competition in eight sports for men and women. He initiated the ORCC All-Sports Award in 1981 primarily to encourage other schools to support women's athletics on their campuses.

Lynn Darbyshire served as a leader and role model to a countless number of students, athletes, and coaches at MUM. Lynn retired as athletic director and director of student affairs in 1995.

Help us sustain his legacy of generosity for many students and decades to come. Make a gift today online at www.forloveandhonor.org/BennettDarbyshire or call (513)727-3471.