by Russell Vannozzi | Mar 9, 2019 | News Slider, Sports
If you’ve been to a Lipscomb basketball game, you’ve probably seen Conner Mirt dance. That’s because Mirt often makes himself the halftime entertainment at Allen Arena, much to the delight of the crowd. “The first time we saw it, we were in shock,” said Deb Mirt, Conner’s mother. “Then it went viral – somebody filmed it and put it on Facebook. He likes to get the crowd riled up.” Conner, who has Down syndrome, is a 2016 graduate of Lipscomb’s IDEAL program, which was created to offer a full college experience to students with intellectual and/or development disabilities. The 27-year-old is one of the biggest supporters of Lipscomb men’s and women’s basketball. Conner gives Lipscomb coach Casey Alexander a hug after every game, and he’s often seen encouraging the team from the stands or the sideline with a huge smile on his face. “He’s nothing but a positive influence on us, and we try hard to be the same for him,” Alexander said. “It’s a great relationship that we have with him.” That infectious grin has made Mirt a celebrity of sorts at Lipscomb. The men’s team threw him a birthday celebration after their win over Jacksonville on Feb. 9. He was one of the first people to the floor to congratulate the women’s team on its first ASUN victory that same day. “They all take care of him,” said Mike Mirt, Conner’s father. “It’s really amazing to watch.” But Conner and his family don’t just go to home games. They often attend practices and travel to select road games, along with players’ families like the Morans, the Peppers,...
by Mckenzi Harris | Mar 8, 2019 | Galleries
One year after winning its first ASUN title, the Lipscomb men’s basketball team has earned a chance to defend its crown. The Bisons (25-6) dominated NJIT in a 78-55 ASUN semifinal victory on Thursday in Allen Arena. That sets up a rubber match with Liberty (27-6) on Sunday at 2 p.m. CT for the ASUN tournament title and a spot in the Big Dance. The game will be televised by ESPN – Lipscomb’s first-ever national television appearance at home. The Bisons topped Florida Gulf Coast 108-96 on the road in last year’s championship, but this time, the big stage will come to Green Hills. Read Russell Vannozzi’s recap here. « ‹ of 3 ›...
by LeBron Hill | Mar 7, 2019 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
A painting featuring two African American men embracing one another in a kiss in the “Colour Somewhere” exhibit in the Hutcheson gallery will not be taken down, despite initial concerns from Lipscomb administration. Curator Lawrence Matthews III said his decision to choose the piece reflects the overall message of the gallery. “I try to represent all of the different aspects of blackness that are not always highlighted in the forefront — but also the wholeness — black people in love, existing in their own element,” Matthews said. In the piece by D’Angelo Williams entitled “The Lovers,” two black men wearing white tank tops are embracing each other in a kiss while their faces are each covered by Du-Rags. The piece is inspired by the 1928 painting under the same title by Rene Magritte. The original painting features a heterosexual couple with the same concept, faces covered by white cloth in an embrace. The male figure wears a black suit and tie with a solid white shirt. He embraces a woman clad in a red, sleeveless garment with white trim. Matthews said Lipscomb staff contacted him on the day of the event with concerns of “vulgarity” within some of the artwork, but Matthews noted that the actual night of the premiere went smoothly. A couple of weeks after the opening, he received word of negative reactions to Williams’ photo. “I got a text that someone was uncomfortable about that piece and that it had to come down,” Matthews said. “I immediately called the art department, and I’m like, ‘If that piece comes down, I’m taking the whole show down.’” Mike...
by Martin Baker | Mar 6, 2019 | News Slider, Sports
The Lipscomb Lady Bisons wrapped up a long season with an overtime victory over Kennesaw State on Tuesday evening, thanks to a game winning three-point shot in overtime by junior Carleigh Short. “The basketball gods smiled on us for once this season,” head coach Greg Brown said. The game went into overtime with both teams tied 60-60 after a neck-and-neck match that Lipscomb led going into the fourth quarter. Overtime was back and forth with junior Lauren Rau making the basket to tie it up 69-69 in the final minute. There was less than five seconds on the clock when Short charged down court and let the ball fly to score the game winner, making the final score 72-69. It’s not often that a game is decided by a single shot, but Short said these scenarios are the kind the team has practiced for. “Honestly any one of us could have hit that shot,” Short said. “It’s something we practice, and I would have trusted it in the hands of anybody.” “We practice some of those,” Brown added. “She just did what she’s been doing. We talked about just get it and go because they’re telling them don’t foul.” Short said a lot went through her mind in those last five seconds of the game. “What went through my head first was ‘Oh, there’s five seconds left, and coach is saying ‘Go!’’” Short said. But Short wasn’t the only member of the Lady Bisons to contribute to their victory, although she was the second leading scorer for her team with a total of 17 points. No. 22 Taylor Clark also...
by Mckenzi Harris | Mar 4, 2019 | Galleries
After losing to NJIT on Wednesday and clinching the No. 9 seed in the ASUN, the Lady Bisons fell to the North Alabama Lions on their senior night Saturday afternoon in Florence 71-50. Lipscomb did not have much to play for Saturday, as clinching the ninth seed eliminated the Lady Bisons from the ASUN tournament next week. So, as has been this season’s story for the Bisons (3-24, 1,14 ASUN), they could not maintain their first half intensity and let a three-point game at halftime become an almost 30 point game once in the fourth quarter. On the other hand, the Lions (19-6, 10-5 ASUN) had everything to play for as this game assured them one of the top four seeds in the ASUN and the opportunity to host at least one game in the tournament in their first season as a Division 1 school. Full story by Erika Plunkett here. « ‹ of 2 › » Photos by Mckenzi...
