by Cory Woodroof | Sep 30, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
By Sophie Kellerman and Aaron Schmelzer Memories filled Allen Arena on Sunday afternoon as the Lipscomb community celebrated the life of fan Chuck Ross. Ross passed away earlier this month at the age of 68, leaving behind a legacy of support for local sports. Through his fandom, Ross impacted the lives of the many, with a large group of local journalists, sporting figures and former Bisons lending their time to share a funny story and kind word about Ross. “Chuck was the roots that connected so many people and communities,” said Athletic Director Philip Hutcheson as he opened up the memorial. Orioles manager Buck Showalter, ESPN analyst Buster Olney and Voice for the Nashville Predators Pete Weber were among the multitude of people who recorded short anecdotes and well wishes that were shown throughout the service. Jonathan Seamon interviewed former Bisons basketball players Alan Banks, Richard Taylor, Chris Martello, Greg Glenn and Keith Edwards about their experiences with Ross. “I thought Chuck was somebody that we were doing something for,” Taylor said. “The reality is, as time passed, it was exactly the opposite. Chuck was such a role model for all of us.” “Describe Chuck in one word,” Seamon asked the former Bisons. None of them had to think about their answers very long. Laughter, compassion and unconditional love were just a few of the words that came to mind. Ross was not only a fan of the university sports. He also loved going to the Lipscomb Academy high school games and helping out any way he could. “For high school football games, Chuck’s job was to call and...
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 | Apr 28, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
The largest crowd in the history of Lipscomb University gathered over two days in Allen Arena at three separate shows to see Miss Kay, Phil and Si Robertson from A&E’s Duck Dynasty for the 2013 Don Meyer Evening of Excellence. Over 14,000 people attended the Friday night, Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening shows. The trio from the hit reality series came as this year’s headliners for the fifth annual Don Meyer Evening of Excellence. Past headliners include NFL star Tim Tebow, Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski and Butler basketball coach Brad Stevens. During the Saturday night show, the masses packed into Allen Arena to be greeted by Lipscomb trivia scrolling on the gigantic screens above the Duck Dynasty-themed stage, which had four large recliners at the center. After a welcome from university President Randy Lowery and Athletic Director Philip Hutcheson, a brief video about Coach Don Meyer was shown. Coach Meyer came to the stage shortly after to introduce the group from Duck Dynasty, whom Meyer called ‘friends’ to everyone in the audience. Following another short video that introduced the evening’s guests, Miss Kay, Phil and Si came out to a chorus of applause and duck calls from the audience. Hutcheson joined the three on stage for a Q-&-A, where topics ranged from why people watch the show (which Phil attributes to people getting enjoyment out of watching a ‘functional family’ for a change) to Phil and Si’s infamous beards. Hutcheson also discussed the story behind Phil and Miss Kay’s marriage, Si’s days in the army and Miss Kay’s noted cooking skills. Since it was Si’s birthday, the crowd...
by Cory Woodroof | Apr 9, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
After 14 seasons, Scott Sanderson has resigned as the head coach of the men’s basketball team to pursue other career opportunities, according to an announcement from the university this afternoon. “Scott has been a key part of Lipscomb athletics and its transition to NCAA Division I for more than 14 years,” university Athletic Director Philip Hutcheson said in a press release from the university. “I know him to be a man of fine character who is committed to the game,” Hutcheson said. “We have worked with Scott though many conversations recently as he has come to this decision. The university is committed to being helpful and generous as Scott and his family makes this transition. We wish him every success.” In a prepared statement, Sanderson thanked the university for his time with the team, wishing the program well as they move forward. “I would like to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to Lipscomb University for the wonderful 14 years my family and I have experienced here,” Sanderson said. “After much consideration, I believe it is time for me and the university to go in different directions. I do believe we have made positive strides in guiding the program from NAIA to NCAA Division I competition. “I would like to thank my current and former players, my coaching staff—both past and present—the administration, our board of trustees and our president, Dr. Randy Lowry. I wish Lipscomb University much success in all its future endeavors.” During his time as the coach of the Bisons, Sanderson’s teams had a 222-201 overall record. The Bisons also were the Atlantic Sun regular season...
by Emily Snell | Nov 6, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
Beginning with Friday night’s “Battle of the Boulevard” men’s basketball contest, Lipscomb, the Atlantic Sun Conference and ESPN are working together to bring six events live from Allen Arena in November on ESPN3, ESPN’s live multi-screen sports network accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app and through ESPN on Xbox LIVE. “In the world of athletics, there is no bigger brand than that of ESPN,” said Lipscomb Director of Athletics Philip Hutcheson. “The ability to collaborate with ESPN3 and the Atlantic Sun Conference allows us to exponentially increase our reach to fans of college athletics worldwide, and we are thrilled to be on the leading edge of this latest wave of on-campus production. “For Lipscomb alumni, fans, recruits and for fans of college athletics as a whole, this agreement represents another step toward deeper connections with the programs that mean the most to them. I am appreciative of the hours of work that ESPN3, the Atlantic Sun and the communications professionals on our campus have committed to make this happen.” The six-game slate kicks off Friday night at 6:30 p.m., as one of the nation’s premier men’s basketball rivalries renews between Lipscomb and Belmont. The Lady Bisons then get the spotlight on Monday, Nov. 12, as No. 17 Vanderbilt comes to Allen Arena for a 7:15 p.m. tipoff. The collaboration continues on Nov. 16-17, as the semifinal and final rounds of the A-Sun Volleyball Championship are aired as the Lady Bisons attempt to defend back-to-back-to-back A-Sun Tournament titles. The final game of the set airs on Monday, Nov. 26, as men’s basketball hosts defending...
