by Logan Butts | Jul 22, 2014 | Opinion, Sports
In the past few months, there was a craze among media outlets and just people in general to make a “Mount Rushmore” of everything, whether sport, entertainment, profession or just about anything else you could think of. The premise is fairly simple; you just have to come up with the four most prominent figures of the group of your choosing for a so-called Mount Rushmore of (fill in the blank). Lumination even took a stab at it with a Mount Rushmore of Lipscomb Professors. Inspired by all the discussions of ranking current and historical notable figures, something I love to do, I decided to make a Mount Rushmore of Lipscomb Sports Figures. There are a few rules I came up with to help narrow down the field of nominees: 1. No current athletes can make the final list of four people. Despite the great success of our current athletes, it would not be fair to include a player whose Lipscomb career is ongoing. 2. Current coaches are eligible for the list, but only if they have coached for five or more seasons. 3. Only one coach or athlete from a single sport is allowed on the final list of four. Otherwise, you could have a single sport taking up half of the spots. Now, on to the list. The first spot should be obvious. Don Meyer: Basketball coach, 1975-1999 The late, great Coach Don Meyer was not only one of the pillars of college sports at Lipscomb, but he was also integral to the college basketball community throughout the country. Meyer’s team went 11-19 during his first season with...
by Logan Butts | Jul 14, 2014 | News Slider, Opinion, Sports
One month and one day ago, soccer fans across the globe were collectively wondering what might happen in the coming month. Flash forward to today, and there is no more wondering left to do, just reflecting. And what a Cup it was to reflect on. In the semifinals, to everyone’s shock, Germany eviscerated an out-manned Brazil squad 7-1, setting numerous records in the process. In the second game, the Netherlands once again had its game come down to penalties, only this time Argentina advanced thanks to a couple of saves from maligned keeper Sergio Aguero. The results left us with a much-anticipated final between the best team in the world (Germany) and the best player in the world (Leo Messi). Not without plenty of chances, Argentina went down swinging in extra time 1-0 to the robotic German squad and its bleeding leader Bastian Schweinsteiger. Mario Gotze’s game-winner will be embedded forever in soccer lore. But the final game won’t be the only, or even first, thing I will remember about the 2014 World Cup. I will remember James Rodriguez turning into a star before our eyes. I will remember Guillermo Ochoa, Keylor Navas and Tim Howard turning in goalkeeping performances of a lifetime. I will remember Robin Van Persie’s flying header and Tim Cahill’s goal against Spain. I will remember the fall of Tiki-taka and Germany’s ascension into the top spot. I will remember Neymar dancing around defenders until they had to carry him (and the hopes of a nation) off on a stretcher. I will remember Arjen Robben slashing towards the centerfield and David Luiz covering the entire field....
by Logan Butts | Jul 7, 2014 | News Slider, Opinion, Sports
It feels like an eternity has passed since the end of the group stage. I have completely forgotten about the likes of Japan and Russia. Was Spain even in the World Cup? The knockout rounds always turn the intensity up significantly compared to the group stage, and 2014 has been no different. Let’s revisit the key moments from the knockout stage so far. Round of 16: This was probably the most entertaining round of a World Cup I have ever followed. Granted, I have only followed three World Cups closely, but even experienced World Cup fans have spoken highly of the merits of this tournament, with the Round of 16 being the focal point. If the round of 16 was the peak of the Cup thus far, then the goalkeepers were the shining stars in the middle of it all. Mexico’s folk hero Guillermo Ochoa, Nigeria’s Vincent Enyeama and the United States’ Tim Howard all displayed goalkeeping heroics in losing efforts, Brazilian Julio Caesar shouldered the weight of a soccer-obsessed nation while saving consecutive penalty kicks against Alexis Sanchez and Chile, and Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas somehow topped them all in leading the Cup’s Cinderella to the quarterfinals. The United States failed to defeat the Red Devils of Belgium, a team that exudes cool and is full of stars from the top European leagues, ending their enthralling World Cup run excruciatingly close to the quarterfinals. Although the loss was a tough one, there is plenty to celebrate with the USA’s run. The longtime thorn in the side of the US squad, Ghana, was vanquished. Christiano Ronaldo was shut down...
by Logan Butts | Jul 1, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
The summer of 2014 has reached the halfway mark, and Nashville has had its full share of sports news in May and June. Here is a recap on what you may have missed. Lipscomb Baseball: Former Lipscomb baseball stars Rex Brothers and Caleb Joseph have been performing well in the MLB. Joseph, who was called up to the majors on May 7, hit his first home run on June 22 against the New York Yankees. After coming very close to making the MLB All Star team last summer, on June 14 Brothers became the first pitcher in Colorado Rockies history to pitch an “immaculate inning,” which means he struck out three batters on only nine pitches in the inning. Rex’s younger brother Hunter was drafted by his brother’s team, the Rockies, in the 30th round of the 2014 MLB draft. Brothers is currently pitching for the Grand Junction Rockies of the Pioneer League. Former Bisons Chris Nunn and Josh Smith are also currently playing in the Minor Leagues. Nunn is pitching for the Lake Elsinore Storm of the California League, while Josh Smith is suiting up for the Louisville Bats of the International League. Lipscomb Track and Field: The Lipscomb track and field team continued their run of success from the fall semester into the spring and concluded their triumphant run through the summer thanks to appearances at the NCAA Nationals by Gemikal Prude and Madi Talbert, as well as participation in the NCAA East Preliminaries by Prude, Talbert and Colin Dempster. Talbert was named a Second Team All-American, while Prude earned an honorable mention All-American spot. Vanderbilt Baseball:...
by Logan Butts | Jun 27, 2014 | News Slider, Opinion, Sports
In one wild week, the group stage came to a chaotic end and the knockout rounds have been set. We’ve seen former champs (Spain, Italy, England) go down and Cinderella teams (Costa Rica, Algeria, Greece) make a run to the round of sixteen. Let’s take a look at the events that transpired and what to expect in the coming week. Best goal(s): Leo Messi, all of them The best player in the world has lived up to his monstrous expectations so far with four goals, including three in the past week. All of the goals have been impressive, but with skill and timing factored in, his goal against Iran stands above the rest. Most heartbreaking elimination: Ivory Coast With a spot in the knockout round all but secured, “Les Elephants” were robbed of their first round of sixteen birth thanks to the most controversial penalty kick given out in the Cup so far. Greece made the kick and lived to play another day, while the best team in Africa was left to ponder what happened. The “Oh no, not again” award: Luis Suarez Most soccer fans, myself included, wanted to believe that Suarez had gotten past his early career antics. He was dominating games for Liverpool in the Premier League and for his national team, Uruguay. But then the Mr. Hyde side of Suarez flared up again. Now Italy is unfairly watching at home, and Uruguay is missing its best player. The “Too little too late” award: Spain With two games and some national embarrassment behind them, the Spanish national team finally decided to play like themselves in their...
by Logan Butts | Jun 20, 2014 | News Slider, Opinion, Sports
With the first week of the 2014 World Cup in the books, it is time for a quick recap of the biggest storylines, the best games, the breakout stars and, of course, John Brooks’ goal. After what was one of the most entertaining first weeks in World Cup history, there is no shortage of topics to be discussed. Best moment, United States: John Brooks Of all the players in the 2014 World Cup, John Brooks may have been the least likely to score at all, much less score a game winner. But in the United States’ first game against their nemesis Ghana (the team that knocked them out of the last two World Cups) Brooks came through will a game-winning header off of a corner kick in the final minute of the game. Clint Dempsey’s opening goal was more technically impressive, but Brooks’ will be the one everyone remembers. Best moment, rest of the world: The Brazilian national anthem There were countless memorable moments in this first week, from Switzerland’s last second goal against Ecuador to Pablo Armero and Colombia dancing their way into our hearts, but I have to go with the singing of the Brazilian national anthem before the opening game. The emotion on the faces of the Brazilian players combined with the sheer joy of the Brazilian fans made for a special moment. Biggest upset: The demise of Spain After one of the most dominant runs in international soccer history, which included the 2010 World Cup title and two European championships, the reign of “La Roja” has finally come to an abrupt, painful ending. The players...
