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 Cory Woodroof | May 16, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
Lipscomb Athletic Director Philip Hutcheson announced today the hiring of Greg Brown as the new head coach of the Lady Bisons basketball team. Brown, the former associate coach of the University of Central Florida women’s basketball team, replaces former head coach Frank Bennett, now holding the position of Lipscomb’s associate athletic director. Brown also served for two years as both a graduate assistant and assistant coach to Pat Summit and the University of Tennessee’s Lady Vols. “I’m extremely excited for Greg to be our next women’s coach,” Hutcheson said. “He brings to Lipscomb a strong coaching background and has been mentored by some of the top coaches in the country.” An alumnus of Lipscomb, Brown also served under Don Meyer as a student assistant coach. Hutcheson believes that Brown will be a great addition to the Lady Bisons basketball program. “I’m confident that he will continue to mentor and train our student athletes to become leaders on the court, in the classroom and in their Christian walk,” Hutcheson said. “He has been a part of successful coaching staffs at every level, and I’m excited that he’s bringing that leadership to Lipscomb.” Brown expressed gratitude for his hiring. “I’m honored to be named the head basketball coach at Lipscomb,” said Brown. “Lipscomb is a special place for me and my family. I’m excited to represent the university and be part of its growth, and I look forward to building on the traditions of excellence at Lipscomb. I’m very fortunate to be able to coach in a Christian atmosphere, and I thank Philip Hutcheson and Dr. Lowry for this opportunity.” Brown will be...
by Hunter Patterson | Apr 13, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
At the Don Meyer Evening of Excellence in 2010, Tim Tebow stood on a stage in the center of Allen Arena speaking to thousands listening intently to his every word. Last year, Mike Krzyzewski spoke to a similar crowd about his experiences as a coach on the national scale as well as the college spectrum. On Saturday, one of the nation’s premier college coaches will be on stage. Butler Coach Brad Stevens is highly touted as one of the best young coaches of the modern era. Two years ago, Stevens signed a deal that would keep him at Butler until the 2021-22 season. With his several awards and accolades in just a few short years, Butler had no choice but to offer Stevens a long-term offer. Stevens, only 35, has compiled a 139-40 record in five seasons, including back-to-back trips to the national championship game in 2010-11. And while his coaching skills have been sought after time and time again, he continues to turn down offers from larger universities. Since 2009, the former Division III point guard has won two Horizon Coach of the Year awards and the Clair Bee Coach of the Year Award, given to the coach who “has made the most significant positive contributions to his sport” during the preceding year. Stevens told The City Paper he is thrilled to speak at the event, which is named for the legendary Coach Meyer. “He is just a guy that everybody that is in coaching idolizes and thinks the world of,” Stevens said. “He was the star among coaches long before the accident. Everybody in coaching knew of...
by Hunter Patterson | Feb 2, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
One of the more memorable games of Don Meyer’s tenure was the 1990 Battle of the Boulevard held in Memorial Gymnasium on Vanderbilt’s campus. Before I dive into the game, let’s take a look back at what Chip Johnson wrote in the Feb. 16th edition of the Babbler leading up to the game. “Ladies and Gentlemen, the number on team in the nation, The Lipscomb University Bisons.” The top ranked Bisons who now stand at 32-4 overall and 14-0 in the TCAC, face their toughest rival Saturday night in a game that is projected to break the attendance record for any NAIA game ever. Entering the game, the Bisons of Lipscomb University and the Rebels of Belmont College were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 respectively in the TCAC and No. 1 and No. 9 in the nation. That year, the Bison had already played Belmont four times, going 3-1 in those contests. The Bisons were also riding a 15-game winning streak going into the biggest Battle of the Boulevard game in the rivalry’s history. During that streak, Marcus Bodie broke the NAIA record for most steals in a season. Jerry Meyer also broke the Lipscomb record for steals in a season. The span also allowed Hutcheson to work his way up to the number two and three spots on the all-time-scoring list. Everyone was getting up for this game – sports writers, students, die hard fans, casual fans…everyone. Also present was Rick Byrd’s red sweater vest. (Yes, he wore it in 1990, too.) Leading up to the game, the Babbler staff talked to some of those reporters and...
