by Emily Snell | Aug 2, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
It is with deep sadness that the Lipscomb University athletic department announces that rising sophomore Matt Deery, a track and field standout, lost his life in an automobile accident in Upper Nazareth Township, Pa., on Wednesday afternoon. An All-Atlantic Sun Conference honoree for the Bisons in just his first season of competition, Deery was honored by his teammates and coaches as “Freshman of the Year” and as the “Fightin’ Bison” award recipient given to the toughest competitor on the team. “Matt was an incredible athlete and an even more incredible person,” Lipscomb track and field Head Coach Bill Taylor said. “Everyone loved him. He was a smart, caring, likable guy. He was a gifted athlete, yet he was so humble. “It’s really hard to comprehend this right now. Matt was a wonderful person with a gigantic future. He is going to be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. I know our entire team is praying for his family, his friends and each other.” Deery became the first Lipscomb field athlete in school history to earn second-team all-conference honors at the A-Sun indoor championships this past season with a second-place pole vault of 4.55m (14’ 11”). The Philipsburg, N.J., native went on to earn a bronze medal in the heptathlon at the A-Sun meet earning 4,889 points that set a school record. “We are obviously heartbroken for Matt’s family and friends, and I ask that you please be in prayer for comfort and peace all of those who will be grieving over his loss,” said Lipscomb Director of Athletics Philip Hutcheson. “Matt was a very special student athlete and...
by Cory Woodroof | Aug 1, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
Michael Phelps, the world-renowned Olympic swimmer, won gold during Tuesday’s 4×200 freestyle relay alongside teammates Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer and Ricky Berens. Phelps also earned his 19th medal – an honor that solidified him as the most decorated Olympian of all time. Phelps netted his 17th and 18th medals, both silvers, during the 4×100 freestyle relay and 200 meter butterfly races. With 19 medals, Phelps passes Larisa Latynina, who won 18 medals for gymnastics during the 50s and 60s. Latynina was present for the race in which Phelps won his 19th medal. “Phelps deserves the record,” Latynina told the New York Times through an interpreter. “He is such a talented sportsman.” Phelps broke records four years ago when, in Beijing, he received eight gold medals for swimming, breaking Mark Spitz’ long-standing record of seven gold medals accumulated during one set of Olympic games. Phelps was also named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year in 2008. Phelps has confirmed he will retire from professional swimming after the 2012 London games. Photo courtesy of The Los Angeles...
by Cory Woodroof | Jul 10, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
The Lipscomb men’s basketball team will travel to historic Rupp Arena to play the defending national champion Kentucky Wildcats on Dec. 15. The Wildcats last played the Bisons in Lexington during the 2005-2006 season, resulting in a 67-49 victory for Kentucky. Men’s basketball Head Coach Scott Sanderson expressed his excitement for the upcoming game. “Any team that plays Kentucky is going to be excited about it. There is a difference,” Sanderson said. “We have played at North Carolina, at Memphis and N.C. State. We have played in a lot of places, and by far, that is the best atmosphere I have ever been in for playing a college basketball game.” For Sanderson, this represents a unique occasion for the Bisons. “When people think of college basketball they think of Kentucky,” Sanderson said. “To be able to play those guys in Rupp Arena, like we did in 2005, is a great opportunity for the program and for the university.” The men’s full 2012-2013 schedule is set to be released next week, which will include other non-conference matchups. Those looking for tickets can contact the Kentucky box office at (859) 257-1818. (Quotes and information courtesy of the Lipscomb athletic department. Photo from USA...
by Emily Snell | Jun 20, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
For the first time in five years there will be a new voice on the Lipscomb basketball bench this fall as Bisons Head Coach Scott Sanderson announces the hiring of Ryan Cahak as assistant coach for the program. The 28-year-old Cahak comes to Lipscomb after spending the last two seasons as a member of the University of Tennessee staff in Knoxville as a graduate assistant working with the likes of Milwaukee Bucks forward Tobias Harris, the 19th pick of the 2011 NBA Draft. “Ryan has been with some really good people,” Sanderson said. “He played for Jim Boeheim at Syracuse and has worked under Bruce Pearl and Cuonzo Martin. Those are some really good basketball genes in my opinion. “He’s been around some really good basketball people with different philosophies on how to do things differently. I think that’s a big asset for Ryan.” Cahak headed to “Rocky Top” to work with the Volunteer post players after a year at Colgate as the Raiders’ director of operations. “It’s a great opportunity here at Lipscomb with Coach Sanderson and the rest of the staff,” said Cahak. “I’m excited to jump in, learn from the guys and hopefully have a successful season.” The Syracuse native graduated from his hometown university in 2008 having suited up for the Orange for three seasons under Boeheim. Cahak prepped at St. Thomas More School in Oakdale, Conn., and the Bisons plan to build on his connections in the region to expand recruiting efforts. “About a month ago we talked about starting to recruit prep schools more, and Ryan played at St. Thomas Moore, so that...
by Cory Woodroof | May 18, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
Greg Brown was introduced as Lipscomb’s new head coach of the women’s basketball team Thursday afternoon in a press conference with Athletic Director Philip Hutcheson. Brown, a former associate women’s basketball coach with the University of Central Florida, replaces former coach Frank Bennett, who was promoted to associate athletic director earlier this year after 32 years of coaching the Lady Bisons. Before Brown spoke, Hutcheson shared some insight into the future of the Lady Bisons program, the hiring process and what Lipscomb looked for in a new coach. “At Lipscomb, we make a big point of being interested in what we call the four C’s,” Hutcheson said. “We want to excel in the classroom, in competition, in the community and in our Christian walk, and so when we’re looking for a coach, we’re interested in all of those things.” Hutcheson said he believes that Brown is the right man for the job. “As we looked for a coach, we did find several who embodied what we were looking for, but out of that came a guy in Greg Brown,” Hutcheson said. “[Brown] embodied all four of the characteristics we were looking for, and he has a background and a resume and experience that’s really unsurpassed.” Hutcheson said he believes that the women’s basketball program can be successful in the coming seasons. “I am firmly convinced there is no reason that Lipscomb women’s basketball cannot be great,” Hutcheson said. “We are in a great city, at a great place in a great city. Middle Tennessee is known for its women’s basketball. There is no shortage of talent in this area,...
by Emily Snell | May 16, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
ESPN’s SportsCenter rated a Lipscomb baseball catch as number 3 on its Top 10 plays list today. Chris Nunn, a junior left-handed pitcher from Memphis, made a no look, behind the back catch in a game against Jacksonville at Dugan Field over the weekend, landing him in the spotlight. The catch ranked number 9 initially and then moved up to the third spot at lunch time today, according to Mark McGee, media relations director for Lipscomb Athletics. The Bisons (25-27, 10-14 A-Sun) swept Jacksonville in an Atlantic Sun Conference doubleheader Saturday, May 12, winning the first game 6-1 and the second 6-2, on “Ken Dugan Day.” According to lipscombsports.com, “Nunn kept the Jacksonville offense off balance to pick up his first win of the season tossing five and two-thirds innings. Nunn scattered seven Dolphins hits, walked only one batter and fanned one Jacksonville hitter.” The final home regular season game was Tuesday, May 14 against Tennessee Tech. The Bisons lost 5-4. The last Atlantic Sun series of the year starts Thursday, May 17 at 5 p.m. at Belmont. The Atlantic Sun Tournament begins Wednesday, May...
