Revere AD Shea Welcomes Lynn Schools to the GBL

Revere High School Director of Athletics Frank Shea was part of a unanimous vote granting Lynn Classical and Lynn English admission to the Greater Boston League at a meeting held Nov. 12.

The two Lynn high schools will most likely join Revere, Medford, Somerville, Everett, Malden, and Chelsea in the eight-team GBL in September, 2021. The Northeastern Conference must formally release Classical and English from their membership in the conference, thus allowing their move to the GBL next year.

Having the Lynn schools on board was Frank Shea’s vision when Revere left the NEC two years ago. He enthusiastically welcomed the two schools to the GBL.

“Our hope is start playing Classical and English in all sports starting next fall,” said Shea. “The vision of the new GBL was to create opportunities for other urban schools to join and strengthen our league. To go into next year as an eight-team league as opposed to a five-team league is very positive for all the league members.”

Thanks to Shea’s leadership, the GBL has been re-energized and lifted to its former glory.

“With this COVID-19 crisis, if there is one positive, it’s that whenever we get back to normal,  we’ll have a very strong, local, competitive urban league and that’s what we envisioned a few years ago.”

A Football Game Versus Everett

Revere will be resuming its GBL football rivalry with Everett, a Division 1 powerhouse and perennial Super Bowl contender. Coach Lou Cicatelli’s contingent is coming off a superb season in which the Patriots advanced to the North Sectional finals and defeated Winthrop on Thanksgiving.

“Coach Cicatelli is looking forward to that challenge of playing Everett,” said Shea. “It is what it is. Our kids will be up for the challenge. I think it just makes our league better.”

Revere City Council President Patrick Keefe, who played varsity sports for Everett High School, is excited about the addition of Classical and English to the GBL.

“Being a former GBL athlete, I was excited that Revere re-entered the GBL, and Lynn Classical and Lynn English joining the league makes a lot of sense. I’m excited that they’ll be coming over to the GBL. It will be great for all the schools and the high level of competition that exists in the GBL.”

Shea said a decision about the starting date of Revere’s winter season should be forthcoming after receiving guidance from the MIAA and the Revere school administration. Winter sports traditionally begin on the Monday after Thanksgiving but that date will likely change due to the coronavirus.

Shea has been in daily contact with MIAA and GBL officials, hoping that Revere student-athletes can return to practices and games. The 6-foot-4-inch director of athletics was a basketball star himself and a successful head coach in the St. Dominic Savio High School program, leading the Spartans to the state final at the Boston Garden. Asked if he can still soar above the basketball rim and dunk, Shea replied, “Not anymore.”