“He wears so many hats,” Linda Price said in kind reference to Dr. Lynn Griffith.
Price, in her 10th year as the Kinesiology Department’s Administrative Assistant, has the privilege of working with Dr. Griffith on a daily basis, and says he’s what some may call “a man of many talents.”
Dr. Lynn Griffith has had success in his years at Lipscomb University as the previous chair, former head tennis coach, current director of the tennis center, and a full-time professor; however, Griffith would tell you his greatest success is his son, Samuel.
“I think Samuel is an example of what can happen when you have an opportunity,” Griffith said.
Samuel, 11 years of age and a rising 6th grader at Lipscomb Academy, was adopted from Haiti by Dr. Griffith and his wife in 2009.
“I’ve been to Haiti 25 times now, and Samuel and I actually went back to Haiti together and you could really see the wheels turning for him,” Griffith said.
Samuel seemed to understand where he came from and where he is now.
As Samuel grew older, he developed a love for sports.
Baseball, which Griffith says, “stops at the border,” is something Samuel picked up on in his time in America. He has played organized baseball since 4th grade and is one of the better pitchers on his team.
“Being the parent of a pitcher makes me nervous,” Griffith said. “Everything that happens out there on the field starts with him.”
Besides baseball, Samuel also enjoys bowling.
Griffith’s wife is the bowling coach for Lipscomb Academy, so bowling seems to run in the family.
“Samuel bowled a 188 the other night and it wasn’t a fluke either,” Griffith said. “He has bowled several games in that area.”
“And not to be the ‘bragging dad’,” Griffith added, “but you should see him play soccer.” He continued with emphasis, “He’s good!”
He and his wife will continue to watch their son Samuel grow up, and he tells her frequently, “There’s no doubt that’s what we were meant to do.”
Griffith, who took the tennis team through the transition from NAIA to Division I, still gets to coach as the coach for the high school tennis team.
“I’m an old coach at heart, so it’s the perfect fit,” Griffith said.
Photo courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics