Patrick Anthony Lund was born June 27, 1963 at St. Marys Hospital. He died there April 7, 2022. Pat, as he preferred to be addressed, exhibited courage, strength and an amazing will to live during his hospitalization. His death is beyond crushing to those who knew and loved him.
As an accomplished youth athlete, particularly excelling in basketball, Pat spent countless hours perfecting a flawless jump shot in the Seeger’s backyard, Edison Elementary School, the YMCA, and any hoop he could find. He was a self-proclaimed “gunner” who was open the moment he stepped onto the court. While attending Mayo High School, Pat was part of the television production team, The Spartan Scene, where he delivered the sports. He was also editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, The Advocate. These two activities spurred his interest in sports reporting. He lettered in basketball and track at Mayo, graduating in June of 1982.
Pat often joked that his St. Cloud State University college experience was like “trying to squeeze four years into six.” Upon graduating with a degree in broadcast journalism in 1988, he headed off to an ABC television affiliate in Rapid City, South Dakota. After stepping in horse dung on his first assignment to cover a high school rodeo competition, he was forced to trade in his white Florsheim loafers for cowboy boots. A couple of years later, on his way to start a weekend sports anchor position in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, Pat stopped to visit some friends at KTTC-TV, was offered a job, and never left. By keeping “Bernie Lusk’s chair warm,” Pat fulfilled a childhood dream of “getting into sporting events for free.”
As a thirty-year fixture in the Southeastern Minnesota sports reporting constellation, Pat masterfully, meticulously and skillfully highlighted the marvelous athletic accomplishments of youth. He cared deeply about his work and getting the story “right.” In doing so, he gained the admiration and respect of fellow reporters, athletes, parents, grandparents, coaches, athletic directors, referees, fans, and loyal viewers. His brilliant, unparalleled sports reporting career ended with his final broadcast on December 31, 2020 where he stated, “I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I got to stay home and do my job.” He left behind many cherished friends and colleagues at KTTC-TV, along with a legacy of mentoring younger television journalists and photojournalists, many of whom moved on to larger markets.
Last April, he was honored to be the second inductee into the Tight End Hall of Fame, a loosely knit group of respected former coaches, athletic directors and assorted hangers on during at a breakfast ceremony at Charlies Pub and Eatery.
Despite his highly visible public persona, Pat was a very private person who loved his family, assorted cats, soap operas, The Brady Bunch, Ole Miss football and hockey, baseball caps (each had its own story), the bleachers at Wrigley Field on a sunny day, college fight songs, Goldy’s Locker Room, the YMCA Men’s Health Club, getting fired by Herb Brooks, Winona State University, all athletic venues, TCF Bank Stadium, the “M” Club, the Somerby crew, and any televised sport. A lifelong University of Minnesota Golden Gopher fan, Pat was in his element riding the “Gopher Bus” to and from home Gopher football games where he held court in the last row of the bus. He adored the camaraderie and irreverent verbal jousting while tossing back a few cold ones, sometimes more.
Survived by his wife Jamie (whom he married, fittingly, at home plate at Mayo Field), son Myles Flott (Clémence), parents Dr. Anthony L. and Mrs. Mary M. Lund, sister Dr. Sharon M. Lund (John), and brother Judge Kevin A. Lund (Diane (“Zap”), Bryan, Eric and Joseph), Pat passed on a Spirit that we now carry forth.
The family intends to establish the Pat Lund Sports Journalism Foundation to support pre-elementary school dyslexia screening, reading education and post high school scholarships for area students.
In honor of the joy, fun and infectious laughter Pat generated, some future gathering will take place for those who cared about him, so we can embrace one another and tell stories. Stay tuned.
Rochester Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences of Pat may be shared at rochestercremationservicesmn.com
Pat and I played basketball together at Mayo. We really got to know each other during a basketball camp at St.John’s University during the summer of his HS junior year. I always enjoyed his broadcasts and his dedication to high school athletics. We maintained a warm friendship every time we ran into each other throughout the past 40 years, I’ll miss that the most.
Rest in peace my friend…
To the Lund family,
Through the years, it was my pleasure to welcome Pat at the Mayo Civic Center for the many high school tournament games that were played in our two venues. Pat’s element was basketball but he always provided his best for the sports of volleyball and yes……even wrestling.
As Pat entered the building, you could always count on the enthusiasm and that famous Lund smile to greet you. He loved his broadcast responsibility, SE Minnesota sports and most importantly, his family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Pat and his family.
David and Teresa Silker
Heaven is a better place (and a lot more fun) now that Pat is there. The officiating world lost one of its greatest advocates! We know he will be supporting the stripes from the best seat in the house now. Words cannot describe the friendship and times I/we had with Pat and family and how much we will miss him! The memories will be cherished forever. Godspeed to the Lund family and our heartfelt condolences! We will always love you Pattie!
I don’t recall ever having the opportunity to meet Pat, but I know my brother and two of his friends did on one of their hardest days back in 2005. My brother, a then-Junior at John Marshall, had been traveling in a car on Cty Rd 22 with two of his friends when they were struck head-on by another vehicle. The driver of the on-coming vehicle was in the midst of an epileptic seizure that unfortunately resulted in a traumatic (and fatal) automobile accident. Pat, miraculously, had been traveling on Cty Rd 22 that evening at exactly the “right” time, witnessing the accident and pulling over immediately to lend a hand, call 911, and do everything in his power to keep everyone safe and calm until emergency crews arrived. Pat didn’t know that there were three JM students in one of those cars: it was just in his nature to do the right thing… to pull over and to help. I’ll never forget this… very grateful for Pat that night.
My thoughts go out to the Lund family.
I’ll never forget the first time Pat and I had a conversation longer than calling in a football score. It was during basketball playoff season, he joined several of us ADs and tournament managers at a local establishment after Sports Extra. We started talking about sports and ended up sharing stories about our wives and kids. I am sure he developed many of his friendships the same way. He was fun to be around, but there was also depth to his conversations. He truly cared about the people he encountered. Many people called him a friend and they were all correct.
Sending love to your entire family. ❤️
I have gone to the football and basketball games at John Marshall for many years, and I was always happy to see Pat’s smiling face at those games. Pat would always get so excited when he would do the Friday night broadcast after the JM vs. Mayo games every time. I spoke to him a few times as my cousin, Chuck Sibley, also works at KTTC as the camera man there. Pat was always so friendly and happy and always had such a big smile on his face. He truly enjoyed his job and those around him. His enthusiasm for high school athletes and coaches was non stop. I will miss seeing him at those games. Please accept my most heartfelt sympathy during this most difficult time. Pat, heaven will be a better place with you in it. Rest in peace.
I didn’t know Pat personally but I think we lost one of the good ones. I don’t think Pat worked a day in his life because they say if you love what you do then you don’t work a day in your life. I will miss you on Sports Extra! Rest in peace Pat!
I knew Pat all thru school from Edison elementary to graduation. He was always a fun loving guy. Condolences to the family.
I knew Pat since we were 9-years old, and he was always such a nice guy. He was friends with everyone. We didn’t go to grade school together, but we went to Central Jr. High through Mayo High School together. I remember him as a really good basketball player. I remember him announcing the school news on a CCTV system throughout Mayo HS media center as a student. After college I remember noon workouts at the YMCA when he moved back to Rochester, and him letting me buy his 1992 Super Bowl tickets (Metrodome) because he had to work the weekend. I remember several nice sports reports on the Byron Football, Basketball, and Baseball teams that sometimes featured my son. Once in a while (probably not enough) I would shoot him a text about a particularly good broadcast. Recently we had not seen each other much, but every time I saw him, it was “Hey Fritzie!” I am so sad about this, and will miss him…
Pat was the greatest sports announcers ever. He was always attempting to enter a new verse or subject into the sports broadcasts such as identifying Mazeppa Zumbrota during the broadcast.
Pat and Jaime spent a weekend on our houseboat while I was playing in a world Sr Softball tourney in Oregan, I called Pat all excited and told him about our success. I then asked him what was happening back on the boat. He said that it was raining like crazy, and that there were about twenty people on the upper deck under the cover drinking and talking and talking smart. We just lost one of our greatest friends.God bless, we will always miss him.