And the Band Played On: Pep band back after brief hiatus from basketball games

By Erin Turner and Carter Sanderson Lipscomb’s alma mater, Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” and various other songs have filled Allen Arena during basketball season for several years. But for a brief stint in January, this wasn’t the case. Fans may have missed the music for a short time as atmospheric changes were being tossed around by the athletic department. Garner Goode, director of sales and marketing for the athletic department, said he had plans to revamp the in-game atmosphere after winter break and decided to leave the pep band out temporarily this semester. “We were just trying to create the best possible experience for the game, trying out different things,” Goode said. While the band missed a few games, it was back in action for the men’s last two games, against USC Upstate and ETSU. Band members said they have enjoyed playing at the games and wished they never had to take a break. “I was confused at first,” freshman Robert Glenn said. “I thought there was a need for the band.” Another concern was that the hiatus prevented band members from getting paid. “I was really upset because I needed the money,” freshman Tiffany Best said. Freshman Hannah Fleming said she was concerned because the band seemed to be adding to game-time atmosphere. “I just didn’t like the way it went down,” she said. “I felt like we were doing everything right. We were playing when they wanted us to and what they wanted us to.” A Bisons cheerleader said she and her squad missed the band when it was absent. “It was really hard for us to adjust...

Social media impacts LU athletics

Seeking greater recognition for Lipscomb sports teams, the athletic department is expanding its use of social media. Garner Goode, director of sales and marketing, says LU athletics, while examining all forms of social media, is particularly taking aim at the use of Twitter to represent — and spread the word — about every team. He said he’s working on getting a Twitter account set up for every sports team. There is also one main profile that is @Lipscombbisons that serves as an overall account to post about every team. Goode says that by having individual team accounts, it lets fans follow specific teams more closely. A new program is up and running and can be activated through www.bisonsmobile.com. Go to the website on your smart phone and follow the directions to activate it. This will let you have instant stats right at your fingertips. The Bison Perks is a new rewards system that gives fans the opportunity to win free prizes by attending events and tweeting certain things and using specific hashtags. To learn more about the Perks visit http://www.bisonperks.com. Overall the department is developing new social media outlets every day and making it easier for fans to follow their favorite teams and, at the same time, build awareness of Lipscomb’s athletes and athletics. These are the Twitter account set up so far: @bisonbaseball — Baseball @lu_softball — Softball @LipscombUtrack – Track/ Cross Country @ladybisonsoccer – Women’s Soccer @luMsoccer – Men’s Soccer @lipscombvball – Volleyball @LipscombWBB – Women’s Basketball Go follow your teams to get constant updates from games and team events. Social Media in LU Athletics1 from lumination Network on...

Louis Nelms, new director of student involvement, announces LIM fall events

Although still a student himself, Louis Nelms is taking on the role of director of student involvement in his year of transition to being part of Lipscomb’s staff. Nelms replaces Garner Goode, who is now the director of sales and marketing for Lipscomb Athletics. As part of his new role, Nelms oversees Lipscomb in Motion, which is designed to provide students with opportunities for friendship and fun on campus. “Right now I am in a weird time with transitioning from student to faculty,” Nelms said. “I’m in both worlds at once.” Nelms takes this role in “both worlds” as giving him an edge. “I am younger and can relate well to students,” he said, adding that his goal with LIM is  “building on relationships I already have and starting new ones.” Nelms said he is reformatting LIM to accommodate the spontaneity of students on campus and is hoping to direct students to more activities outside of the classroom. “I want more advertising in a less professional way,” Nelms said after bragging about putting Ninja Turtles in one of his recent emails. Nelms said he wants his emails to feel casual and inviting and, most importantly, like they are coming from a fellow student. As for fun this year, Nelms has some new events he would like to unveil, as well as some past events he intends to resurrect. “I am most excited about dodgeball and about showing The Dark Knight Rises when it is released,” he said. Nelms said one new thing is that LIM will begin hosting college football game days, starting with Alabama versus Michigan this Saturday,...

Lipscomb in Motion announces new events, changes to Singarama

Singarama, Lipscomb’s biggest theatrical event of the spring semester, will look slightly different this year. The massive effort by Lipscomb students to write, produce and perform their very own musical normally culminates after spring break, but this year the popular annual event will be March 8-10, the week before spring break. Garner Goode, director of student involvement, announced the change during an interview about the semester’s main events. He said a few years ago Singarama used to occur before spring break and staff decided to return to the former schedule. Goode said having the event late in the semester was causing problems. “People were coming back from spring break,” Goode said, “and not really getting an opportunity to focus on their classes, which is what’s important.” Singarama is only one of the events that Goode said he expects to be popular this year. In addition to the usual fairs and special occasions, Goode said Lipscomb in Motion is hosting a kickball tournament and a three-on-three basketball tournament called “The Brickyard.” “They’re just fun large group events that we think people will come participate in,” Goode said, “kind of like dodge ball where there are some set teams, a little ridiculousness and a fun atmosphere.” Goode said The Brickyard will take place in the square later in the semester. Lipscomb in Motion will coordinate some surprise events during the next few months—often in the middle of the day, involving food and giveaways. Goode said the spring events are designed to help students deepen their friendships. “The spring is more of a community experience,” Goode said, “because in the fall new...