by Cory Woodroof | Nov 8, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
The past couple of seasons in Lipscomb basketball can be summed up in one word: change. In the past two years, the university has seen two coaching changes in two of its biggest sports programs. In 2012, former Lady Bisons basketball coach Frank Bennett transitioned into a role as an associate athletic director for the school, and former University of Central Florida assistant Greg Brown took on the role as head coach for the team. In April, longtime Bisons basketball coach Scott Sanderson resigned, and, in May, former Belmont assistant and Stetson coach Casey Alexander returned to Nashville to become the next coach of the Bisons. Alexander may be new to don the purple and gold, but he’s no stranger to town, having been a standout player and coach for the Bruins during his time with Rick Byrd’s legendary program (the two will meet again in tonight’s first installment of this year’s Battle of the Boulevard series). After leaving Belmont, he spent two seasons as the head coach for the Stetson Hatters before making the move to the other side of the boulevard as Lipscomb’s new coach. After spending the summer and fall semester getting acquainted with the team, Alexander is getting ready to begin his era of Bisons basketball. Alexander says that the transition into his new role at Lipscomb, on both a personal and professional level, was as smooth as it could be. “It’s been very easy,” Alexander said. “It’s a place that I was so familiar with and knew a lot about, and knew that it was the kind of place that I wanted to be,...
by Aaron Schmelzer | Nov 7, 2013 | News Slider
While the first Battle of the Boulevard has yet to tip off, one battle has already been won. For the first time in a while, Lipscomb and Belmont’s chef clashed in the Battle of the Chefs on Thursday in the Bison Cafe. Lipscomb’s Executive Chef Anthony Bates won the competition, defeating Belmont’s executive chef William Finnegan by a slim margin. The event was held the day before the Bisons and the Bruins play in Allen Arena in the first Battle of the Boulevard this season. James Perry, Sodexo’s District Marketing Manager, said that the event is more of a friendly contest. “It’s meant to [be] a friendly competition between the chefs,” Perry said. “It’s meant to educate people that these are professional chefs.” Perry said that “Battle of the Chefs” is a normal thing for Sodexo accounts, which both Lipscomb and Belmont are. “Belmont and Lipscomb, both Sodexo accounts, have been doing this for years; we just brought it back,” Perry said. Photo credit: Whitney...
by Sydney Poe | Nov 4, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
Bison Week is once again upon us, leading us up to the biggest game of the season: the Battle of the Boulevard. “Bison week is an opportunity for students to build up the excitement for one of Lipscomb’s most epic events: Battle of the Boulevard,” said Stampede president TJ Ojehomon. Here’s a look at what you can look forward to this week. Monday: The HoopapaLUza pep rally will take place in Allen Arena at 9 p.m. The event will feature the Lipscomb Bisons basketball team and many prizes will be given out. The pep rally is also important for students because it’s where you can get your tickets to Friday’s Lipscomb vs. Belmont game. Tuesday: Movie night will start at 7 p.m. in Zebi’s lounge. They will be showing V for Vendetta, since it’s conveniently November the 5th. Wednesday: Wednesday Night We Eat will start in High Rise at 10 p.m. This week’s event will feature music from DJ Cottrill and also a push cart derby that starts at 11 p.m. Barbeque pork sandwiches will be served. Thursday: The annual Running of the Bison will start in Bison Square at 9 p.m. It’s a Lipscomb tradition that goes back many years to lead up to the final event. Friday: The Battle of the Boulevard will tip-off in Allen Arena at 6 p.m. Don’t forget to get your student ticket Monday night at HoopapaLUza. “Like any athlete will tell you, before you play any game, you’ve got to warm-up. You’ve got to practice. You’ve got to get prepared,” said Ojehomon. “That’s what Bison Week is. It’s the warm-up to cheer...
by Kyrsten Turner | Nov 1, 2013 | Sports
This week’s basketball exhibition games filled Allen Arena with the sounds of cheering fans, slick sneakers on the hardwood and plenty of booming buzzers. Through all the noise and confusion that accompanies live sports, the pep band is usually the one providing the structured soundtrack to the evening. “Emphasis on musicality,” said Elliot Bowman, Lipscomb’s pep band director for the year. “Instead of being a really loud band, we want to be able to hear all the parts, all the instruments. Each instrument does have an important role in each song we play and we want that to be showcased.” The conglomeration of trumpets, drums, flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trombones, a piccolo and a bass guitar bring together the best of wind and jazz instruments. “We don’t have any tuba players this semester but I’d love to have anybody that wants to play one,” Bowman said. Coming off the Bisons and Lady Bisons exhibition games, the pep band is ready to begin a new season. Bowman said the band isn’t just a way to showcase students’ musical talent, but a way to be more involved in the games and support Lipscomb athletics. “In the past, while [band members have] shown moderate interest, they’ve not been shouting with the cheerleaders and trying to help out like a normal student would,” Bowman said. “We’ll put a little bit of emphasis on that.” Jennifer Green, Bowman’s co-assistant, is looking forward to making the pep band a vital part of the game’s atmosphere. “We used to be a really small group that didn’t have much school spirit,” Green said. “Now, we have grown exponentially and...
by Jesica Parsley | Oct 30, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
Freshman Ellen Lundy has already recorded big accomplishments and made several memories during her first season on the Lady Bisons soccer team. Lundy finished the regular season as the Atlantic Sun co-leader in points with 31. The freshman standout scored 14 goals overall, setting a Lipscomb record for most goals in a season. She was also recently ranked number 68 on Top Drawer Soccer’s top 100 freshman list. And, this past weekend, she had a major role in helping the Lady Bison reach their first appearance in the conference tournament in school history. Lundy hails from Rogers, Ark. She says her decision to come to Lipscomb was an easy one. “When I came on my visit, I loved the culture and community of the school,” Lundy said. “Then, I met the girls and coaches, who were so awesome. It was just encouraging and easy.” Entering the biggest stage of her career yet, Lundy wanted to prove she belonged at the collegiate level. “I didn’t know what to expect coming in, but I just wanted to prove I could play at the Division I level and accomplish my goal of helping contribute to the team anyway I could. I feel like I did that,” Lundy said. One of Lundy’s favorite moments of the season was the Lady Bison big 2-1 win over Mercer, who is the defending A-Sun champion. Lundy scored both goals with the game-winner coming in the 83rd minute. “Looking back, when we beat Mercer was a huge win for us that kick started our season and gave us energy and hope that we could make the tournament,” Lundy said. Lundy said her favorite...
