by Cavin Jacobson | Aug 1, 2019 | BREAKING NEWS, News Slider
The Shinn Center for Entertainment & the Arts is nearly finished with construction, while the parking garage promised at convocation last fall has yet to start breaking ground. Originally slated for completion in the fall of 2018, the construction on the Shinn center was delayed for two months due to a necessary rerouting of storm drains underneath the foundation. Since fall of 2018, construction of the building has moved at a steady and consistent pace, despite some surprises popping up for faculty and staff in the design. The building’s outside brick is now complete as well as roof and exterior design. Interior design seems to be progressing steadily as well. The building will officially open late August or early September, provided no other incidences lead to delays, according to Kim Chaudoin, university spokesperson. There is still some confusion among staff and faculty, however, about whether a large door is going to be placed where the radio station currently is. Until the building is fully completed, those plans have not been discussed. Another surprise to the staff and faculty of the Ezell building was the inclusion of a connection between the Shinn center and Ezell in rooms 102 and 202 as an accessway for maintenance. The inclusion of these connecting doorways led to confusion with the faculty as to what needed to be done to the rooms that were formerly offices for adjunct Communications professors and the office of Ken Durham, a bible professor. Both rooms were ultimately cleared out while construction installed the doors. The Shinn Center will formally house the College of Entertainment and the Arts as well...
by Mckenzi Harris | Jul 23, 2019 | BREAKING NEWS, News Slider
A rule-change by the NCAA has forced Lipscomb to move the three-point lines around the goals at Allen Arena back to the international distance, forcing cosmetic changes to the striping on the floor. The international distance is 22 feet, 1-3/4 inches, quite a bit farther than the old NCAA distance of 20-feet, nine inches from the basket. The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel “also approved resetting the shot clock at 20 seconds after a field goal attempt hits the rim and the offensive team rebounds the ball in the front-court,” according to the NCAA. This new shot-clock rule, as well as an international distance three-point line, were experimental rules in the 2019 NIT, in which Lipscomb’s men made it to the championship game. The NCAA decided a full 30-second shot clock is not needed, since the offensive team has already secured the rebound and is in the front-court. The new three-point striping will mean necessary change to the relatively new Lipscomb court. The court in Allen Arena had to be redone after Liberty University in 2013 claimed sole use of the “LU” logo, eventually forcing Lipscomb to replace the initials on the court with the university’s name. Currently, the only visible change being made to the court is the moving back of the three-point line. Photos by Co-Managing Editor, Erika...
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...
by Grant Ledgister | Jun 21, 2019 | BREAKING NEWS, News Slider, Sports
Even though he didn’t hear his name called during the draft, the reigning ASUN Player of the Year is still headed to an NBA team. Garrison Mathews signed a two-way deal with the Washington Wizards. This means that, although he takes up one of the 17 roster spots for Washington, Mathews will spend the majority of his time with the Wizard’s G League affiliate (the NBA’s minor league, previously called the D League) this season. He will only be allowed to spend 45 days per season with the Wizards “big league” franchise itself throughout the duration of the contract. The Wizards were one of the four teams Mathews worked out for prior to the NBA Draft June 20. If Mathews does well enough in the G League to make it onto the primary Wizards squad, he would become the first Bison to play in an NBA game. Washington’s G League team is called the Capital City Go-Go. When at home, they play at St. Elizabeth’s East Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, D.C. The next step for Mathews is the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, which takes place from July 5-15 and will be his first chance to go against competition at the NBA level. If he is still on the roster after the Summer League, Mathews will play in the G League regular season that is 50-games long and begins in the fall. Official schedules for when the league begins have not yet been released. This move comes after Mathews’ record-breaking career at Lipscomb. He is the school’s all-time leading scorer (with 2,478 total points) and three-pointers...
by Mckenzi Harris | May 9, 2019 | BREAKING NEWS, News Slider
A Lipscomb professor has been taken into custody in Sumner County on charges of aggravated abuse of a 5-month-old baby. Daniel Gordon, 36, was arrested on Wednesday. He is being held on a $200,000 bond. “He has been suspended until the resolution of this unfortunate and sad situation,” according to a statement from the university. “We are supporting the family during this time by providing pastoral care and intentionally seeking other ways to assist the Gordon family.” Gordon has been a full-time employee since August 2018 as a professor in the College of Liberal Arts and Science. Gordon previously taught for four years part-time in the College of Bible and Ministry at Lipscomb. “Lipscomb is a community that — driven by our Christian faith — seeks to be authentic in who we are and what we do,” said President Lowry in an email sent to the Lipscomb Community on Friday. “In any community this size there are a number of individuals at any given time who grapple with life circumstances — both joys and challenges that they would never have imagined would be part of their story — the birth of a child, academic accomplishments, challenging times in marriages, the loss of loved ones, financial struggles or a research discovery. “We often share the joys of our work together but we also share the moments of sadness and uncertainty. In difficult moments, as we experienced this week when a faculty member was taken into custody for aggravated child abuse, this community seeks ways to be supportive of those involved. This is true even when we are surprised, don’t understand...
by Russell Vannozzi | Apr 23, 2019 | BREAKING NEWS, News Slider, Sports
Longtime Alabama-Huntsville coach Lennie Acuff has been named Lipscomb’s next basketball coach, the school announced in a release Tuesday afternoon. The news was initially reported by 247Sports basketball analyst Evan Daniels Tuesday morning, and News Channel 5’s Steve Layman later reported that a deal was in place. Acuff will be formally introduced to the Lipscomb community on Wednesday at 2 p.m. CT in the Paul Rogers Board Room in the Ezell Center. “I am thrilled, very humbled and thankful for the opportunity,” Acuff said in the school’s release. “I understand the tradition that exists with Lipscomb basketball and I will do everything I can to continue to build upon that tradition.” Acuff has served as UAH’s head coach for the last 22 seasons, growing the Chargers into a national power on the Division II level. He owns a 437-214 record at UAH and an overall record of 554-325 in 29 total seasons as a head coach. Acuff was reportedly a candidate for the Lipscomb job in 2013 when then-Stetson coach Casey Alexander got the nod. Ironically, Acuff now replaces Alexander, who left for Belmont on April 10 after guiding Lipscomb to three consecutive 20-win seasons. “I have always wanted an opportunity to coach at the Division I level,” Acuff said. “I felt like if I were going to do it, it would need to be an institution I felt I was in alignment with from a faith-based and values situation, and Lipscomb had that. “The type of players at Lipscomb are the same type I recruit in Huntsville, high-character kids that they’ve developed. Coach (Casey) Alexander built a great culture...
