by Carter Sanderson | Aug 21, 2013 | Sports
“He wears so many hats,” Linda Price said in kind reference to Dr. Lynn Griffith. Price, in her 10th year as the Kinesiology Department’s Administrative Assistant, has the privilege of working with Dr. Griffith on a daily basis, and says he’s what some may call “a man of many talents.” Dr. Lynn Griffith has had success in his years at Lipscomb University as the previous chair, former head tennis coach, current director of the tennis center, and a full-time professor; however, Griffith would tell you his greatest success is his son, Samuel. “I think Samuel is an example of what can happen when you have an opportunity,” Griffith said. Samuel, 11 years of age and a rising 6th grader at Lipscomb Academy, was adopted from Haiti by Dr. Griffith and his wife in 2009. “I’ve been to Haiti 25 times now, and Samuel and I actually went back to Haiti together and you could really see the wheels turning for him,” Griffith said. Samuel seemed to understand where he came from and where he is now. As Samuel grew older, he developed a love for sports. Baseball, which Griffith says, “stops at the border,” is something Samuel picked up on in his time in America. He has played organized baseball since 4th grade and is one of the better pitchers on his team. “Being the parent of a pitcher makes me nervous,” Griffith said. “Everything that happens out there on the field starts with him.” Besides baseball, Samuel also enjoys bowling. Griffith’s wife is the bowling coach for Lipscomb Academy, so bowling seems to run in the family. “Samuel...
by Carter Sanderson | Jul 25, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
There will be plenty of familiar names on the volleyball court when the season begins on August 8, but two fresh faces will join head coach Brandon Rosenthal on the sideline. Billy Ebel and Ann Armes have been hired as assistant coaches. Rosenthal shared his excitement in having the new staff. “I feel great about having young faces as part of what’s going on,” Rosenthal said. “They have a great opportunity to interact with the girls better than I can.” Rosenthal feels that the younger coaches will play a huge role in their season both on and off the court. Billy Ebel, originally from Kansas City, said he knew of Lipscomb before joining the staff. “Brandon has recruited several girls out of Kansas City, so I’ve known about him and the program,” Ebel said. “It’s a totally different environment here, but I love it. It’s been a smooth transition. “The girls have never seen me train or coach on the court, so I’m excited to bring that energy.” Ebel knows the game very well, having played volleyball for Ball State. Rosenthal praised Ebel’s energy, mindset and ability to recruit. “I’m really excited about his energy and recruiting knowledge,” Rosenthal said. “Such knowledge at a young age is really good. “No doubt he will bring a lot to the table during practices and matches.” Ebel, seven weeks into the new program, says the location change from Kansas City to Nashville hasn’t been too difficult of an adjustment, but the culture that Nashville offers is definitely something he can get used to. “I love the southern hospitality,” Ebel said. “It’s different,...
by Carter Sanderson | Jul 19, 2013 | Sports
Since the close of last season, the Lady Bisons basketball team has worked diligently to improve the program with a batch of fresh faces both on the court and on the sideline. Greg Brown, in his second year as the women’s head coach, has made numerous changes to the roster by letting some people go and signing several true freshman, as well as commit Chandler Cooper, a transfer from the University of Florida. “Chandler was a Top 50 kid coming out of high school,” Brown said. “She just brings a different level of competitiveness and a different level of skills.” Cooper’s parents went to Lipscomb, and her father played for the Bisons during his time as a student. The team has spent a good deal of time together over the summer months. “The summer rule has been great for us,” Brown said. “Being able to work out our players was huge. They were able to hear our voice and it also allowed them to be around each other.” The NCAA has made a new rule allowing coaches to spend time and coach their players during the summer. They have also made it acceptable for every player to work summer camps. “Camp has helped our players see the different roles, and we were able to teach the culture,” Brown said. “I can’t imagine getting into this in August.” Despite all the changes this program is going through, senior Jess Reece, one of the few returners for the Bisons, will be a familiar face to all. Being one of only two players on the current roster that has been here since...
by Carter Sanderson | Jul 18, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
In early May, the Lipscomb volleyball team embarked on an 11-day mission trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Head coach Brandon Rosenthal said that the trip was an exciting time for the group. “There was a tremendous amount of excitement,” Rosenthal said. “It was the first mission trip for a lot of the players and for six of them it was their first time out of the country.” Rosenthal’s main goal for the trip was the get to know each of his players better, and the girls wanted the same thing from each other. “We are already a team,” Rosenthal said. “This is a close team, but I urged them to break down the walls and develop an even deeper relationship as a team.” Work at the church, a stop at the legendary Christ the Redeemer statue and a hike up the Sugarloaf Mountians all played huge roles into making this such an unforgettable trip for all who went. However, the deeper connections formed and lives changed throughout their time in Brazil made this a truly invigorating expedition. “I really had no expectations going into it,” teammate Lauren Ford said. “I wanted to grow in my relationships with the team more than anything.” Playing only one game while over there, the girls had ample time to grow both mentally and spiritually. “Experiencing another culture with my teammates while getting to serve the Lord was the best part of being gone,” teammate Jordan Huston said. “It was cool how we were able to get closer as a team while we were helping others,” teammate Jewell Dobson added. As the week...
by Carter Sanderson | Jul 1, 2013 | News Slider
Lipscomb tries to add life to their campus year round. From hosting breakfasts, camps, concerts, business events and meetings of various kind, there seems to never be a dull moment on campus. One of the summer’s busiest activities is Impact, a June Bible camp held for grade school students. Churches from all over the south bring their youth groups to camp. There is a junior camp, younger than high school, for three days, and then senior camp, all high school students, which lasts the entire week. “Both are very fun and exciting weeks to be a part of,” camp counselor Anna Temple said. “Jr. Impact all the kids wanted to be up and at breakfast at seven sharp; they were all wound up,” Temple said when asked the biggest difference of the two camps. “I would go to wake the little kids up at seven and most of them would already be up and out of the rooms.” Throughout the week, activities, Devos, skits and a little free time all made the week the highlight of the summer for several high school students. “My favorite part of the week is morning Impact, especially the ball race that takes place before we get started every morning,” senior camper Erica Honaker said. What may be the favorite for a student, may not be a favorite for the counselor. “I personally liked the night group Devos before bed after evening Impact,” Temple said. “It was just our youth group together in reflection of the day.” Impact impacted the lives of several students over the past week, but nothing struck the students more than the...
