by Cory Woodroof | Nov 8, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
A big storyline coming into tonight’s 133rd annual Battle of the Boulevard was the dawn of Casey Alexander’s era of Lipscomb men’s basketball in a season-opening game that pitted him against his old friend and new on-court competitor Rick Byrd. After the game, though, it’s pretty apparent that everyone will now be talking about how a group of Bisons under new leadership nearly toppled an Ohio Valley giant. Unlike last December’s demolishing 100-66 loss at the Curb Event Center, and last November’s 89-60 walloping at home, the Lipscomb men’s basketball team went blow for blow with the rival-down-the-road Belmont Bruins for forty minutes Friday night in Allen Arena, nearly upsetting Belmont in a close contest. In one of those games where it truly depended on who was holding the basketball last, a crowd of close to 5000 watched the Bruins emerge from the brawl victorious, winning 87-83 and notching a second consecutive ‘Battle’ win at Allen. From the get-go, Lipscomb and Belmont didn’t budge on letting either team take a wide margin lead. The Bruins were the first to get close, going up 20-10 at 11:06 in the first half with a potentially tone-setting dunk from redshirt senior Blake Jenkins. But, the Bisons remained persistent, chipping away at Belmont’s lead. At the half, Belmont led 35-32. In the second half, redshirt freshman J.C. Hampton and redshirt junior Carter Sanderson began to get open from the arc, knocking down key three-pointers that helped the Bisons go up by eight with 13:02 left in the game. However, the Bruins continued to capitalize on Lipscomb fouls from the line, never allowing the...
by Erika Thornsberry | Sep 24, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
After the sudden leave of Assistant Coach Jada Mincy, former Lady Bison Anna Bowers will step in as Assistant Coach for the 2013-2014 season. The 23-year-old Bowers had been given the title of Director of Basketball Operations for the staff at the beginning of this year, but she has now accepted the title of Coach Bowers. She graduated two years ago and was a standout athlete for the Lady Bisons from 2008 to 2012. “Right now, I don’t have the experience of being a college coach, but I was just in the girls’ shoes,” Bowers said. “I’m young and know what they are going through; I really think I can use my skills to help them through this journey. Not only as good people for this community, but great basketball players as well.” There is definitely a great respect between Bowers and Lady Bison Head Coach Greg Brown. “Anna is someone that people look for to hire. She has great work ethic, and she buys into the values we have for this team. It’s always important to have someone that understands the culture of our program,” Brown said. “I was shocked with the whole situation,” Bowers said. “ My first reaction was I was flattered that he asked me. The fact that I get to work and learn under a coach that I respect so much is an honor.” This year with the Lady Bisons will be Bowers’ first year coaching at the collegiate level. Along with playing for four years in college, she has also coached at Ensworth High School. “I’m really excited to learn from all the coaches....
by Cory Woodroof | Sep 13, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
Nashville has lost an icon, and Lipscomb has lost its biggest fan. Chuck Ross has died at the age of 68. Ross passed away on Friday morning due to complications of diabetes and fluid on his lungs. He was receiving hospice treatment at the Lakeshore Heartland Nursing Home. For six decades, Ross was one of the campus’ most recognizable faces. He attended nearly every sporting event that Lipscomb had to offer, cheering on his beloved Bisons and Mustangs with the now-hallowed chant, “Beat’em, and beat’em bad!” Ross’ death comes in a year that saw the passing of another Lipscomb legend; former high school football coach Glenn McCadams passed away in March. Nashvillians will remember Ross for various reasons. Some may mention having received one of Ross’ infamous phone calls, possibly asking for a game’s score or the next day’s weather. Some may recall humorous encounters with the Bisons fan, with many stories likely ending with a rubbing of Ross’ noted Bison belt buckle. Former Lipscomb Academy head basketball coach and current Nashville Christian head coach Mike McPherson added to the memories of humorous phone messages, recounting a rather lengthy message Ross had left him. “He called and left me a voicemail one time, and at the end of the message, he started going through every sports team on campus,” McPherson said. “He said, ‘Go Mustangs, go Lady Mustangs, go Mustang soccer.” He then went on and started naming every team on the college campus. The voicemail last about 10 minutes of Chuck saying go every team on campus.” McPherson remembers Ross as a great motivator of teams, having brought...
by Cory Woodroof | May 19, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
Lipscomb formally introduced Casey Alexander to the community as the new coach of the men’s basketball team Sunday afternoon at the Ezell Center. The university officially confirmed Alexander’s hire Saturday evening. Alexander was a former Belmont Bruin player and coach who has spent the past two seasons coaching at Stetson. Lipscomb Athletic Director Philip Hutcheson kicked off the event, talking about the process of hiring a coach. Hutcheson said that when looking for a coach, “what we care about here is excellence, and what we care about are people who are connected and committed to what the mission of Lipscomb is about.” The selection committee, consisting of Hutcheson, Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Student Life Scott McDowell and women’s basketball coach Greg Brown, interviewed a number of candidates who were interested in the vacant position. Former coach Scott Sanderson resigned in April. Hutcheson praised the quality of the candidate that applied for the job, but said that the committee decided that Alexander was the best for the program. “There was one guy whose name rose to the top, and he contacted me very early on about the job and said he was interested,” Hutcheson said. Hutcheson said he had conversations with people close to both Lipscomb and Alexander who reassured him of what a good coach and person Alexander was. In an early conversation with Alexander, Hutcheson said he was impressed with the candidate’s vision for the school after being asked why he was interested in the coaching position. “[Alexander] said ‘I want to be at a place that still values the Christian mission that Lipscomb...
by Cory Woodroof | Jan 11, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
In this semester’s first installment of Lumination News, Nicolette Carney and Jeremy Keck are behind the news desk to update you about what’s happening on campus. Ariel Jones brings you up to speed with sports, Jessica Burke gives the scoop on all things entertainment, and Brynn Watkins delivers your weather forecast. Videos feature a look into how Lipscomb students spent their winter break, highlights of Monday’s Bison basketball match-ups, an update on the new shuttle changes, interviews with a few Predators players and Coach Trotz concerning the recent end of the NHL lockout, a look into ‘senoritis,’ some information on Campus Recreation’s Get Fit initiative, information on AfterDark’s visit to campus, a look into campus’ recycling efforts, a few student opinions on why the Mayan’s supposed apocalypse didn’t happen, and our weekly Nashville Spotlight/Tweets of the Week. Be sure to stay tuned for future newscasts published every Friday here on...
