Tigers Hall of Fame will induct three

Contributed Story Posted 6 May 2025 at 9:14 am

Lyndonville High will be inducting three new members into the Tigers Athletic Hall of Fame in ceremonies on May 25 at the White Birch Golf Course at 2 p.m.

The new inductees include Jeffrey Smythe (Class of 1957), Kelly Dix (Class of 1982) and Julie (James) Donald (Class of 1985).

Smythe, a three sport athlete including a role as the starting quarterback for Lyndonville’s first 11 man football team in 1955 and as a guard on the basketball team. A standout in baseball, Smythe’s teams made the Section V Class C finals in both 1954 and 1955, earning the Class C title in 1955. Boasting a 51-11 career record on the mound, he also added a no-hitter in 1957.

After graduating from Lyndonville, Smythe followed in the footsteps of his coach and mentor Arnie Hartsen and pursued a career in Physical Education. He began his teaching and coaching career at Watkins Glen in 1967 before serving as Athletic Director at Shaker High School and finally Mexico Academy (NY) where he retired in 1995.

Dix excelled in soccer, basketball and track and field earning Team MVP and league all-star honors in each. She helped lead her soccer team to the Section V Class D finals in 1979 and a GR Division II league title in 1981. In track and field, Kelly won Sectionals in the 800 and 1500m in 1981 and 1982.

Kelly still holds school records in the 1500 (4:54.1) and the 800m (2:28.5). Excelling academically as well, Kelly was Valedictorian of the Class of 1982.

A three sport athlete, Donald excelled on the diamond as a pitcher and hitter. She earned G-R Honorable Mention status in the 1983 season hitting .384 and pitching 100 innings. In the 1984 season, she hit .377 and pitched 94 innings earning her G-R league All-Star honors.

In her senior season, she .386 including 14 singles, 3 doubles, 2 triples and 2 home runs and struck out 47 batters on the rubber, again earning G-R All-Star honors. She was also the LCS Coaches Award recipient in the 1985 school year.

For tickets, please contact Jim Zeliff at Jzeliff@lcsdk12.org by May 19th.