by Erika Thornsberry | Dec 29, 2011 | News Slider, Sports
Kelsey Cartwright, a junior at Lipscomb, said it really wasn’t a hard decision when she picked up her ball glove and transferred from Auburn University, where she’d been a two-year starter. “Lipscomb is a lot closer to home,” said the Joelton, Tenn., native. “The move was what I needed to do, and it’s what’s best for me and my family.” Her parents are Lipscomb grads and, of course, live in that community in northern Davidson County. As a freshman, she got to start every game in the infield. She holds a couple of impressive stats. Her sophomore season, she was third on the team in hitting (.303), second in runs scored (36) and tied for second in RBIs (31). Even though she hasn’t played for the Bison team yet, she already has made an impact on her teammates. “Kelsey is genuinely kind, generous and always willing to help,” said freshman Brianne Welch, from Canton, Ga. “She’s intense when she plays and will always go hard no matter what. Kelsey is extremely dedicated to anything she wants to do.” Cartwright said she feels the team is a really good group of girls, who use a lot of sarcasm (like she does) and that this humor really keeps a tight bond. “If Kelsey didn’t transfer, the biggest difference without her would be–besides the team losing an incredible hitter–we also would have lost a devoted teammate who can help our team grow stronger,” Welch said. Cartwright said she is enthusiastic about playing for Lipscomb. “I appreciate the coaches and my teammates and really look forward to this season,” Cartwright...
by Hunter Patterson | Dec 7, 2011 | News Slider, Sports
The City Paper is reporting that Northern Kentucky University will replace the Belmont Bruins in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Northern Kentucky is currently in the Great Lakes Valley Conference out of NCAA Division II. The school has 15,000 students and is located just outside of Cincinatti. On Thursday afternoon, the Atlantic Sun formally invited NKU to join the A-Sun. Lipscomb President Randy Lowry and athletic director Phil Hutcheson released the following statements. “Lipscomb is pleased to welcome Northern Kentucky University to the Atlantic Sun Conference. In a conversation with Northern Kentucky University’s President James Votruba I was most impressed with the desire of Northern Kentucky University for high level athletic competition but also for a strong emphasis on the academic success of student athletes. They will the join the schools currently in the Atlantic Sun who are committed to producing ‘Winners for Life.’ Lipscomb looks forward to Northern Kentucky University’s addition to our excellent conference and meeting them in Division I play.” Lipscomb Director of Athletics Philip Hutcheson: “On behalf of Lipscomb’s coaches and student-athletes, I would like to welcome Northern Kentucky University to the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Norse have been in the top echelon of Division II schools over the last several years and they will be a formidable opponent on the fields of play.” Belmont is leaving the Atlantic Sun for the Ohio Valley Conference effective July 1, 2012. The university has expressed interest in joining the OVC the last couple years, however, no position seemed fitting. The Atlantic Sun will have 10 members and have schools in Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina and Kentucky. Northern Kentucky, like Lipscomb, does not have a football team. The university’s soccer...
by Hunter Patterson | Jun 24, 2011 | News Slider, Sports
Last month it was announced that Belmont would be the leaving the A-Sun and becoming 12th member of the Ohio Valley Conference. While it was announced on the 13th of May, Belmont will not officially join the OVC until July 1, 2012. Belmont president Robert Fisher was intentional in explaining that the move was a strategic one that was made for the student-athletes and the budget of the university. Belmont will have to pay $200,000 to leave the Atlantic Sun Conference, however, the school’s travel costs will drop immensely. “You don’t have to get on a plane to go anywhere,” Dr. Fisher said. “And the students won’t have to miss as many classes.” Missing classes is something that Belmont and Lipscomb have dealt with in the past because of the long travels the two schools make to Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. This bodes even worse for Lipscomb now, since their travel partner will no longer be making the trips. Usually, Lipscomb and Belmont would share a plane when traveling to Florida to play teams like North Florida and Jacksonville. Now, Belmont’s longest road trip will be a six hour bus ride to Edwardsville, Ill. to play Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. All of Belmont’s current teams – other than men’s soccer – will be recognized by the OVC in 2012. And despite reports, Belmont does not plan to add football anytime soon. With the addition of the Bruins, the OVC now has five teams in Tennessee: Austin Peay State, the University of Tennessee at Martin, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee State and now, Belmont. Think of it this way; TSU...
by Vanessa Medina | Mar 29, 2011 | News Slider, Sports
Lipscomb’s softball team didn’t take a spring break mission trip, but tried to make a difference in another fashion. The team decided to try to raise $6,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the organization that makes dreams come true for terminally ill children. The idea came from sophomore Lacy Walker, native of Hendersonville, Tenn., who first brought it to the team’s attention in the goals meeting at the beginning of the semester. “We got involved [with Make-A-Wish] with my church group, and since we don’t have a lot of free time I thought this would be something we could do throughout the semester,” Walker said. How will the team raise money, in between road games, morning games, classes and tests? Softball players split up into eight pairs of fundraisers. Each pairing is responsible for planning and coordinating two events during the semester. To help out there will be donation buckets around campus, at chapel and at the concession stands during the baseball and softball games. The team will also host bake sales at many of the softball games. “I think it would be great if we can raise it all before the end of our season,” said Mollie Mitchell, junior and team captain from Suwanee, Ga. “However if we don’t, it doesn’t mean we are going to stop. We would all like to fulfill someone’s dream as soon as possible and we know that all means giving our best effort.” This season features a lot of home games the team are hopes the crowds will want to help a child in need. (Writer Vanessa Medina is a member of the softball team at Lipscomb and is participating in this fundraising...
by Cooper Torrez | Mar 3, 2011 | News Slider, Sports
The Lady Bisons return to Draper Diamond on Friday for the first time since last season. They will face off against Butler to kick off the Lady Bison Classic. The Lady Bisons come in to the game after playing in the Georgia Tournament and the UAB Tournament. Compiling a 5-8 record in the two tournaments, the Lady Bisons look to get back on track. Whitney Kiihnl plans on using her leadership to help the Lady Bisons throughout the season and this weekend. “I hope the other girls see me as a leader, in that they see me more as a spiritual leader,” Kiinhl said. “God allowed me to be a part of the Lipscomb softball team for a reason, and so hopefully I am doing God’s will by being a good influence on my teammates.” “I just try to tell the younger girls to be confident and believe in themselves. I’ve learned that the mental game is a huge part of playing at the college level. Believing in yourself can go a long way.” As far as the Lady Bison Classic goes, Kiinhl says it’s simple and it will be good to play at home. “I like playing at home because it’s just a comforting feeling,” Kiinhl said. “We’re used to the training room, the locker room and the field. I enjoy seeing my friends and all our supporters at the games. “We just have to show up to play. Offensively and defensively, we have to be prepared and on our A-game.” Kiihnl’s goal for the season may be different than most teams or players, but she is sure...
