by Erika Plunkett | Sep 22, 2019 | BREAKING NEWS, News Slider, Sports
Even though the Bisons had to call on a substitute in net about halfway through the game, Lipscomb’s men’s soccer team opened ASUN conference play with a 1-0 victory over the Jacksonville University Dolphins. The Sept. 21 victory also was the Bisons first home victory of the season. Even though it was a low-scoring affair, the Bisons controlled the possession early and had several chances to put the ball in the net but were unable to convert these attempts. Finally, in the 34th minute, freshman midfielder Ruben Pedersen scored off an assist from senior midfielder John Wynia, putting the Bisons ahead 1-0, the final score. Entering the second half, Lipscomb seemed to continue to hold the edge in possession, until six minutes into the half, when starting goalkeeper freshman Michael Sibley was assessed a red card and was ejected from the game, leaving the Bisons with one man down and their backup keeper, freshman Alex Brown, in goal. But the Bisons were able to adjust and respond to this personnel advantage fielded by the Dolphins. “I thought that we did a good job of limiting their chances, protecting critical areas and making them play negative,” coach Charles Morrow said. “It [playing one man down] takes a lot of effort and a lot of work. Their willingness to put that work in is definitely something we can build off of for the rest of the season.” Brown’s strong play in goal was a huge contributor to Lipscomb being able to maintain their lead throughout the second half. “It’s a tough situation for Alex [Brown] to come in, not expecting to...
by Erika Plunkett | Sep 21, 2019 | Galleries, News Slider
Alumni, friends, family and platinum recording artists gathered at the Lipscomb Academy football complex for a Homecoming drubbing of long-time rivals Goodpasture. The 63-21 whipping of the Cougars by the Mustangs puts the series now at 26-25 in the Bisons’ favor. Before the Mustangs took the field, the crowds gathered at the baseball field to hear Jerrod Niemann perform in the pregame Mustang Stampede concert. His set included his platinum hit “Lover, Lover” and a gold single “What Do You Want.” As the concert concluded, alumni gathered next to the stands to welcome the team onto the field as they battled for the Martin-McCadams Cup in this cross-town rivalry. The Mustangs took the field ready to play, as they lined up for the opening kickoff before the Cougars even took the field. The Cougars drew first blood, scoring off of a 66-yard reception by senior wide receiver David Harris, giving Goodpasture a 7-0 lead. Trent Dilfer’s Mustangs squad was quick to respond, with a perfectly executed quarterback sneak by sophomore Luther Richesson to even the score at seven. Much of the first half was back and forth between the two teams as the score would level at 7 and then again at 14. The Mustangs were finally able to gain some separation from the Cougars off two quick scores from sophomore running back Jaden Lyles and senior wide receiver Kyle McNamara, giving them a 28-14 lead going into halftime. Going into the second half, Goodpasture forced a turnover and cut the lead to a one-score game, but the Mustangs responded with a McNamara touchdown, and the Cougars never got...
by Erika Plunkett | Aug 15, 2019 | BREAKING NEWS, News Slider, Sports
Rob Marberry, one of the leaders of the Lipscomb basketball team that made it to the NIT semis this year, is taking his basketball talents to Estonia. On Wednesday, the Nashville native and standout forward who played high school ball for Franklin Road Academy, agreed to a deal with Estonian team KK Paulus Pärnu. KK Paulus Pärnu, which is also known as Pärnu Sadam, is a member of the Latvian-Estonian Basketball League. When asked whether he thought that he would ever have the opportunity to play professionally, Marberry’s reply was “Honestly, no.” “Looking back on high school, I didn’t have any indication on whether I would be a good college basketball player or not,” he said. “I had a rough patch my freshman year, not producing as much as I wanted to on the court. But, as time went on and I worked harder and harder, I saw it come in my vision.” After graduating from FRA in 2014, Marberry played his freshman season at Western Kentucky as a walk-on for the Hilltoppers before transferring to Lipscomb, where he started all three seasons he played. As a starter for the Bisons, he was an all-conference player in all three seasons, including first-team selections in his junior and senior years. Marberry was a member of the first Bison team to make it to the NCAA tournament as well as the first Bison team to play in the NIT Finals. In his senior campaign, he averaged 14.8 points per game and 4.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 63 percent from the field. “You can see that we were a really good,...
by Erika Plunkett | Jul 9, 2019 | News Slider, Sports
Lipscomb’s men’s soccer team has signed on with international sports apparel giant PUMA. The men’s soccer team’s three-year agreement with PUMA puts them in an unparalleled position in NCAA soccer. The deal, struck earlier this summer, puts the men’s soccer team in a unique position at Lipscomb, as the rest of the athletics teams are going to be outfitted by a PUMA competitor (see related story on this site.) “In today’s age, landing a fully-supported deal with an industry-leading brand like PUMA is unique, and it will keep our men’s soccer program on the forefront of the NCAA landscape as the game continues to grow in America,” Lipscomb Associate AD for External Affairs Brent McMillian said in a statement released by Lipscomb Athletics. All Lipscomb men’s soccer apparel will be provided by PUMA, whose internationally recognized name will continue to grow Lipscomb’s reputation, which reached new heights after the team reached the Sweet Sixteen last fall. “We are very excited to enter into an agreement with PUMA, a company that has long been at the forefront in the game of soccer,” 2018 ASUN Men’s Soccer Head Coach of the Year Charles Morrow said in the statement. “Not only will this help with building the brand of our program, but it will also have a big impact in recruiting by being known as the leader of our game.” PUMA, which signed the back-to-back Premier League Champions Manchester City earlier this year, will also benefit from this deal as they continue to grow their markets in North America and in the international soccer community. Men’s soccer fan apparel also, of course,...
by Erika Plunkett | Jul 6, 2019 | BREAKING NEWS, News Slider, Sports
It is time to invest in some new Bison gear after Lipscomb Athletics signed a five-year deal to make Under Armour the official sports outfitter. This partnership, signed this week, gives the Bisons a number of unique advantages over fellow ASUN teams. Lipscomb’s agreement with Under Armour makes it the only ASUN member to have an exclusive, direct partnership with an apparel powerhouse. By joining the Under Armour family, Lipscomb Athletics will have newly available funds that can be used throughout the department. “Coming off of one of the greatest competitive years in the history of Lipscomb Athletics, I am excited to see what’s next for us, and I’m glad to have Under Armour as a part of the plan to elevate our programs,” Lipscomb Athletic Director Philip Hutcheson said in a statement released by Lipscomb Athletics. “Recruits, serious athletes and casual fans alike all are familiar with the Under Armour brand, and we are proud they will be outfitting our Bison fans and teams in the coming years.” Not only does this deal offer Lipscomb monetary savings, but additionally Under Armour offers an annual allotment of promotional dollars to be spent on apparel, equipment and uniforms; a significantly reduced rate on all additional apparel and equipment purchases; marketing and branding dollars to enhance the athletic facilities and direct access to UA’s inventory and customer service. This deal covers all of the Bisons sports teams except men’s soccer, which has a separate arrangement. The incentives and financial support are almost secondary to the brand recognition that Lipscomb will enjoy as a partner of Under Armour, as the Bisons will...
