UTC clock operator Lynn Trent (middle) signals to the referees during a UTC game last season. Trent died June 19.
photo by Dale Rutemeyer
UTC game clock operator Lynn Trent signals to the game officials that that is five fouls. Trent died this past Sunday
photo by Dale Rutemeyer
“To all who knew Lynn this (his death) is truly sad news. My friendship with Lynn goes back to the 70's.I was always the better for having seen Lynn on any trip home and know no one more dedicated to or who loved the Mocs any more than Lynn.”
UTC Alum and Actor Dennis Haskins
We have lost a friend. Actually a great friend.
One who was dedicated to his Lord, his wife and son, his church work, to his job as an accountant and his job working UTC football and basketball games for what seemed to many to be an eternity.
Whether one was a City High or UTC classmate, co-worker at Johnson, Hickey & Murchison, P.C., UTC athletics staff member or a member of the media who crossed paths with the Vicksburg, Miss. native, at football or basketball games, Trent will always be remembered as one of the good guys and all were better off for knowing him.
Trent, who died Sunday at the age of 68 of pulmonary hypertension, always did his job with the highest level of integrity and professionalism and he is on the nation’s short list of one who could work in any press box on Saturday afternoons from Bryant Denny Stadium (Alabama) to Neyland Stadium (Tenn.) to The L.A. Coliseum (USC) or courtside in any gymnasium from the Dean Dome (UNC) to Cameron Indoor (Duke) to Pauley Pavilion (UCLA) to Allen Field House (Kansas) and all in between.
And if invited to do so he would insist on taking with him the UTC football press box crew of Bob Mulkey, Lance Haberhem, David Cate and Walt Kean.
If You Plan to Attend: The funeral service is this Sunday (June 26) at 3 p.m. at Brainerd United Methodist Church, 4315 Brainerd Road. Visitation Sunday is 2-3 p.m. at the church. Saturday’s visitation is 3-8 p.m. at Wann Funeral Home in St. Elmo.
“Lynn was an iron man in terms of not missing football and basketball games,” said Dean Krech, manager partner at Johnson, Hickey and Murchison Accounting Firm.
“And he was likewise an ironman in terms of his position as a tax preparer at our CPA firm, putting everyone around here to shame with work hours and tireless focus. He was an incredibly loyal advocate for both UTC and JHM CPAs.”
UTC sports information director Jay Blackman stated, “Lynn was a legend and irreplaceable.”
Lynn Trent’s Football Journey
From legendary coach Scrappy Moore to Russ Huesman and from the ancient working surroundings at Chamberlain Field to high-tech Finley Stadium, the one constant for Chattanooga football for the past 50 seasons was Trent, known as the “voice in the press box''.
The self-described 68-year-old “numbers cruncher'' had a seat in the football press box for every Mocs home football game - 265 in a row - since being a University of Chattanooga freshman working his first college game on Oct, 1, 1966. Add 12 NCAA FCS championship games at Finley Stadium and the number nearly 280.
He missed one football game in 50 seasons this past fall due to his son Leighton being sick and in the hospital.
UTC's 2016 Opener: One month shy of exactly 50 years of Trent working in the press box, the Mocs host Shorter College Sept. 1, 2016.
Sept. 1 2016 Will Be Different...: The fans will come and the game will be played and the workers and media in the press box will do their jobs, but there will be a big gap and big void without "The Voice" informing us of "down and distance" and score and other pertinent info and in so many words ..." that this is a working press box and no cheering is aloud and one who breaks that long standing code of conduct can and will be removed from the working area."
In an interview in 2009, Trent told this reporter, ““I am not exactly sure how I was hired (by fellow student sports information director Dan Clower), but I worked the UC-Parsons game keeping stats by hand and have been here ever since.”
The Postman Has Nothing on Lynn Trent .. Neither Snow, Nor Rain, Nor Lookout Mountain Icy Roads … : Assistant sports information director Anne Wehunt tells this story on how Trent nearly missed a basketball game a few years ago.
“UTC was playing Elon on a Saturday and there was a big snow Friday and Lynn called Saturday morning concerned that he could not get off Lookout Mountain in time to work the game clock.
“I asked if he could drive to the Incline Railway on East Brow Road from his home on the mountain and ride down that way. He said he could and I met he and his wife, Kathy, in St. Elmo when they got off the railway car, drove them to a friend’s condo near McKenzie Arena to change clothes for the game that afternoon and everything worked out great.”
He and Kathy stayed with some friends for a couple of days until the Lookout Mountain roads were passable
An Error is an Error: while at UTC, Trent served as the baseball teams' scorekeeper. One UTC player reached base in a game on what Trent deemed at error and recorded it as such. The Moc offered Trent money to change it to a hit.The player did not know his scorekeeper very well and the error stood.
UTC alum and actor Dennis Haskins wrote, “To all who knew Lynn this (his death) is truly sad news. My friendship with Lynn goes back to the 70's.I was always the better for having seen Lynn on any trip home and know no one more dedicated to or who loved the Mocs any more than Lynn.
“As Jay (Blackman) said, ‘he was a legend and irreplaceable.’ My thoughts and prayers also go out to his family and to the Moc family who loved him as much as he loved us.
“God bless Lynn Trent.”
“Lord, a saint has knocked on your door with a smile that will warm your heart. Don't let the blue and gold color of his wings throw you. They are special order.”
So long dear friend. Rest in peace.
And All God’s children said, “Amen.”
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net