|
Richard Tysinger
Class of 1963 Contributor Richard Tysinger was a life-long resident of Harrisonburg and a life-long supporter of Harrisonburg High School Athletics. He was an ever-present spectator at Blue Streak baseball, football and basketball games. His interest, though, went far beyond just watching the games.  Richard was a student of the games and the people who played them. Over the years he gathered and shared with others stories of games and athletes going back to his boyhood days of the 1950’s.When HHS Athletic Director Joe Carico decided to create a Blue Streak Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008, Richard’s historical perspectives of Harrisonburg athletics made him the top choice to be a member of the selection committee. For the first five Hall of Fame classes prior to Richard’s unexpected passing in May, 2012, the committee looked to Richard to provide information about the athletes, coaches and contributors who have shaped the HHS athletic history. Though he supported all sports, Richard especially loved baseball. For 47 years he was involved with the Rockingham County Baseball Leagues, serving as a player, coach and in every administrative capacity including president. In May of 2012, he was selected to be a member of the first class of the RCBL Hall of Fame. Richard coached little league baseball for several years in Harrisonburg and refereed and umpired in numerous leagues. He served for years as a talent scout for the Boston Red Sox. Richard had an extensive and valuable collection of baseball cards dating back to the early 20th century. He displayed them at card shows and his famous yard sales. He was very generous with young people, often giving away ball cards to encourage their interest in collecting. As a parent, Richard passed along his love of baseball to his sons Kevin and Shawn, both of whom were Blue Streak baseball players and also played in the RCBL. Kevin also serves as an assistant baseball coach at HHS. |