by Russell Vannozzi | Jul 21, 2018 | News Slider, Sports
Former Lipscomb golf standout Eric Ansett hasn’t taken much time to slow down following his graduation in May. The Washington native is spending the summer playing in various amateur golf tournaments, with plans of turning professional in September. “It’s been a solid summer so far,” Ansett said. “I’ve had a lot of top-20 (finishes). I feel like I’m getting better and getting close to some really high finishes.” His pro timeline is still on track, as Ansett shot an 8-under 134 at Burning Tree Country Club on Monday in Decatur, Alabama. His performance qualified him for the U.S.Amateur, which is slated for Aug. 13-19 at Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course in California. Ansett has missed qualifying for the U.S. Amateur by less than two strokes each of the past three years, making Monday’s performance especially memorable. “It was sick,” he said. “Honestly, a big reason why I stayed amateur is because I wanted one more chance to try to make the U.S. (Amateur). The second round was up and down, but I birded five of the last seven holes, and that’s what got me in.” Ansett said he plans to turn professional following the U.S. Amateur, which will be televised by Fox Sports 1 and FOX. Although he hasn’t played in a U.S. Amateur before, he said he doesn’t believe the big stage will be too much for him. “I’ve played in a ton of tournaments with all the best amateur golfers in the world, so this isn’t a huge step up in terms of level of play,” he said. “The goal is to always make match play,...
by Charissa Ricker | Jul 21, 2018 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
Sequel films rarely ever live up to expectations, but Mamma Mia fanatics will be just as enthralled with Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! as they were with the original, despite the ten-year gap between films. Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! takes fans back to the Greek Islands and tells the story of young Donna (Lily James) exploring the world and finding her path alongside the modern day progression of Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) as she re-opens her mother’s hotel. Donna’s story is unpacked beyond the diary featured in the first film, and fans get to see the events of the fateful summer she meets Harry, Bill and Sam, and the journey that led to her opening the hotel and raising Sophie. While diving into the adventures of 20-something Donna, the modern-day grand opening of the newly renovated hotel brings old friends and Sophie’s three fathers back together. The film explores the past that led to the original Mamma Mia! story and wraps up Sophie’s journey and the loose ends left in the first film, including her relationship with Sky. The film features a healthy mix of the old and new, showcasing the original 2008 cast plus several new talented members. Lily James holds her own as the young Donna, originally played by Meryl Streep, and she brings her own style to the beloved character. Fans will not be disappointed in the music as a few beloved ABBA songs from the first film re-appear along with a whole new soundtrack of songs from the famous band. Though some characters from the first film are not featured as much as...
by Russell Vannozzi | Jul 19, 2018 | News Slider, Sports
It’s been nearly a year and a half since Josh Williams played his last college game, but the former Lipscomb star hasn’t given up on his pro basketball dreams. BBC Arantia Larochette, a professional team in Larochette, Luxembourg, announced Tuesday that they have signed Williams for the 2018-19 season. “It’s good to be back after taking a year off,” Williams said. “I’m glad (BBC Arantia) felt they could go ahead and take that chance on me. The level of competition is a lot higher, but I’m going to be ready.” The 6-foot-5 guard signed with Sims Basketball Agency last summer in hopes of landing a pro contract overseas. Despite some interest, Williams decided to stay at Lipscomb and complete his business degree. “It was a situation where I didn’t want to start playing without closing the door on school,” he said. “Obviously, I’m not going to go through all that school for no reason. Basketball was just a way to get the education.” After being lightly recruited out of high school, Williams blossomed into a star for the Bisons. He started 12 games as a freshman and averaged 16.9 points per game as a sophomore in 2014-15. However, he tore his ACL in a non-conference game against Princeton in December 2015, causing him to miss the remainder of his junior season. Williams later returned for his senior year in 2016-17, averaging 13.4 points per game and helping the Bisons to a 20-13 record. He totaled 1,506 career points at Lipscomb. He kept training throughout the past year and said his ACL injury is now completely behind him. “If I would’ve...
by Cavin Jacobson | Jul 18, 2018 | News Slider
President Donald Trump’s administration has reversed a college admissions policy regarding the use of race in determining college applicants. The president’s new order rescinded federal guidance on affirmative action that was originally put in place by former president Barack Obama. The policy requested that schools factor the ethnicity of those they enrolled as a way to promote racial diversity and inclusion. The tool has been used across the country for private colleges as a way to grow their diversity. Now, colleges across the country can utilize a “blind” admissions process where they don’t incorporate a person’s race in admission. Lipscomb’s Vice President of Enrollment Byron Lewis spoke to WZTV about how the rule affects colleges. “There are a lot of institutions across the country that this isn’t a big factor, but for a lot of highly-selective and selective institutions, it is something that is certainly used as a tool, one of many, to be able to promote diversity on campus,” Lewis said. Trump’s administration has recently backed a group of students who have accused Harvard University of using the tool to discriminate against Asian-Americans during the admissions process. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has been opposed to the rule. Last year, he announced he would bring an end to the Justice Department issuing guiding documents that bypassed the formation of actual law. “The American people deserve to have their voices heard and a government that is accountable to them,” Sessions said. “When issuing regulations, federal agencies must abide by constitutional principles and follow the rules set forth by Congress and the President in previous administrations, however, agencies often tried to...
by Russell Vannozzi | Jul 17, 2018 | News Slider, Sports
Kyle Kemp is returning to the state where his baseball career began. After spending four years at Lipscomb, the right-handed pitcher announced via Instagram Monday evening that he will finish his career at UCF as a graduate transfer. “The UCF coaching staff has the same values as they do at Lipscomb,” Kemp said. “They really love their players. I’ll also be two-and-a-half hours away from home instead of 12-and-a-half, so that really helps me.” The Port Charlotte, Florida, native redshirted during the 2015 season while rehabbing his throwing elbow after having Tommy John surgery. He then pitched for the Bisons from 2016-18 and was honored with the team’s seniors in an on-field ceremony in May. Kemp informed the Lipscomb coaching staff before the season began that he intended to finish his eligibility elsewhere. “I tried to take the most appropriate way of doing it,” Kemp said. “I told (the coaches) that my grad school option at Lipscomb was a basic MBA or nothing, in terms of business. I wanted to go to a school that offered an MBA with a sports management concentration.” Kemp is currently playing for the Hyannis (Mass.) Harbor Hawks of the prestigious Cape Cod League. He touts a 2.84 ERA in 6.1 innings pitched for the Hawks, who are currently in second place in the West Division with a 16-10-2 record. At age 22, he is one of the Hawks’ oldest players and sees himself as a team leader. Kemp also pitched for the Cotuit Kettleers in his first Cape Cod stint in 2017. “Being a leader in a league full of guys that are...
by Erin Franklin | Jul 12, 2018 | BREAKING NEWS, News Slider
President Randy Lowry announced today that Scott McDowell, Lipscomb’s senior vice president of student life, is moving to Abilene Christian University to serve as its new vice president of student life. McDowell is a Kittanning, Penn., native who has an undergraduate degree in Bible from Freed-Hardeman University, a master’s degree in religion from Lipscomb University and a doctorate in higher education leadership from Azusa Pacific University. He served at Lipscomb for more than 25 years. In 2014, he was selected to serve as Lipscomb’s senior vice president of student life. President Randy Lowry released a letter to Lipscomb faculty concerning McDowell’s departure. “We congratulate Scott on this appointment and, while we will miss his dedicated work at Lipscomb, we know that he will be an effective leader at ACU and will continue to make an impact on the lives of young people,” Lowry said. Lowry pointed to Lipscomb’s growing national “reputation” as reason for McDowell’s move: “As Lipscomb’s reputation continues to grow nationally, it is the reality that other institutions will increasingly look to our people to lead them,” Lowry said. “That is to be expected because it is our people, their vision, creativity and effectiveness that has made Lipscomb one of the fastest-growing and most innovative independent universities in our region. We do not cherish the moments when such occurs, but we share in the excitement when new opportunities are offered to those for whom we have great regard.” According to Lowry’s statement, Dr. Jim Thomas will serve as the interim senior vice president of student life. A “national search” will be conducted to find McDowell’s...
