by Cory Woodroof | Apr 20, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
Just because someone is king of his craft doesn’t mean he’ll ever stop learning, and for one of sports’ most respected and successful individuals, learning is something that never ceases. At the sixth annual Don Meyer Evening of Excellence, Baseball Hall of Famer and legendary Chicago Cub Ernie Banks taught all in attendance at Allen Arena the values of the learning process. “I’m just a learning person,” Banks said. As a part of the event, attendees got the chance to learn a little bit about Banks’ past, hear about his interactions with some of baseball’s great players and take to heart some of the wisdom he shared in a conversation with Jonathan Seamon. Banks, 83, is one of baseball’s most admired individuals. An icon in Wrigley Field on Chicago’s north side, the man beloved as “Mr. Cub” has amassed a large number of honors. Not only is he a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. His Cubs’ jersey number was retired and there’s a statue in his honor at Wrigley Field. He’s also a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom – an award given him by President Barack Obama, another well-known Chicagoan, in 2013. Banks shared ballfields with such baseball legends as Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Ron Santo and Roberto Clemente. Banks shared an anecdote about a time he encountered the legendary Robinson during a time out at the plate. The two met, and Robinson offered him sage words that impacted Banks – the importance of being silent and learning. “That’s what Jackie [Robinson] told me, you know, ‘just listen and learn,’ and that’s what I did,” Banks said. “For the young people today, that’s...
by Bridgette Begle | Mar 14, 2014 | News Slider
Spring break happenings are in full swing and Lipscomb students are everywhere from on campus to foreign countries including El Salvador and Jamaica. Students have been planning for their spring break mission trips since the fall semester. The women’s soccer team is heading back to El Salvador for the second time while other mission trips include Saba, Guatemala and Honduras. Junior Karli Crosby from the women’s soccer team is one of four from the original group that went last year. Crosby is excited and feels like it will be a different experience from last year. “I can’t wait to experience the trip that changed my life last year with a new group of my teammates,” Crosby said. “God is going to do great things with this group of girls, and I can’t wait to continue the work we started last year.” Sophomore Lauren Poe is also going on the second mission trip of her life with the Jamaica team. The team will mostly be doing construction of houses and visiting schools and infirmaries. “I’m most looking forward to being able to serve the people there and get closer with my [mission] team,” Poe said. “I’m also an education major, so I’m looking forward to going into the schools there and being with the children.” Not everyone will be on mission trips this break though. Senior golfer MacKenzy Carter is leaving from her golf trip in Hawaii to head to the Bahamas to begin her final spring break. “I am most looking forward to relaxing without golf or classes flooding my mind,” Carter said. “I love being outside, so I...
by Cory Woodroof | Mar 13, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
Baseball great Ernie Banks will make his way to campus for the sixth annual Don Meyer Evening of Excellence on April 19. Banks is considered to be one of the great baseball players in Chicago Cubs history and one of the most beloved players in the history of the sport. “The Don Meyer Evening of Excellence has had great guests over the years and we are thrilled to add Ernie Banks’ name to the Lipscomb lineup card,” Athletics Director Philip Hutcheson in a press release from Lipscomb Athletics. “Ernie Banks is one of those ‘Mount Rushmore’ kind of figures when it comes to the world of baseball’s greatest ambassadors.” Hutcheson spoke about Banks’ legacy in the sport and beyond. “Not only was he a Hall of Fame player on the field, but the joy that he brought to the game, the way he connected with his community and the work he did to promote what’s good about sports would have gotten him in Cooperstown even if he never played an inning,” Hutcheson said. Past guests include NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and Coach Meyer himself. Last year, Duck Dynasty family members Phil, Si and Kay Robertson were the centerpieces of the event. Tickets are on sale now for the Saturday event online or by phone at 615-966-4373. Photo courtesy of Lipscomb...
by Aaron Schmelzer | Feb 17, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
While there were plenty of pitches thrown at Dugan Field this past weekend, one of the most special was thrown by Lipscomb baseball’s most recent addition to the roster. Brooks Russell, the five-year-old recruit who was signed to the team by baseball coach Jeff Forehand on Feb. 5., was given the honor of throwing the season-opening pitch for the Bisons on Saturday in their season opener against Evansville. Standing halfway between the pitcher’s mound and home plate, Brooks delivered a toss that received a round of applause. Kari Russell, Brooks’ mother, said that Brooks is very excited for the upcoming season. “He’s been super excited, asking about coming to the games,” Kari Russell said. “He really feels like he’s a part of the team.” “It’s totally boosted his confidence; some of it’s gone to his head a little,” she joked. While the team battled Evansville, Brooks sat right above Lipscomb’s dugout for much of the game. The Bisons, however, fell to the Purple Aces 8-2 on Saturday and also lost in their double-header on Sunday, 10-7 and 3-2. Despite the losses, Kari Russell says that Brooks will forever hold on to the memory of getting to be a part of the Bisons’ team. “I’m very sure that he’ll remember this for the rest of his life,” Kari Russell said. The Bisons begin their season 0-3 at Dugan Field, a downgrade from last season’s series opener when the team won two games out of three against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Lipscomb started the game off well on Saturday, but the team could not keep pace with Evansville, which scored four runs...
by Travis Byrd | Feb 11, 2014 | Sports
Baseball is a game of consistency. Every game comes down to being able to execute the fundamentals that will win or lose a game. The Lipscomb Bisons baseball team is ready to prove that they have what it takes to compete in 2014. “Consistency is huge,” said Lipscomb baseball head coach Jeff Forehand. “A team that is built that way through pitching, hitting and defense is going to be successful. Everybody being consistent in every phase of the game is going to be huge for us.” Opening day is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 14 (Valentine’s Day), and this group of Bisons are itching to finally get the games started. “Every year when the first game comes around, everybody is excited,” Forehand said. “We have practiced and prepared so much without being able to play games. It’s a thrill to finally get out there and play.” This team’s identity is rooted in consistency, and Forehand believes that these players are ready for the grind of a new season. “We recognize who were are,” Forehand said. “They know that through consistency we will be good.” Baseball is also an individual sport at times. A lot of focus is put on the individual performance of players, but for this group to be successful, they are going to have to take on a selfless quality. “Others will want to hear about their batting average or pitching stats, but this team has to be willing to sell out for their team,” Forehand said. The road to success will not be easy. The Bisons will play schools such as Connecticut, Western Kentucky and Vanderbilt during the season. To Forehand,...
