by Emily Snell | Aug 3, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
Matthew Deery, an All-Atlantic Sun honoree for track and field who died Aug. 1, in a car wreck near his hometown, was remembered as “an incredible guy” by his friends and coaches at Lipscomb. “He’s the kind of guy that, if everybody was a little more like him, the world would be a better place,” said Houston Ward, Deery’s friend and a fellow rising sophomore, who participates in discus, shotput and hammer-throw on the track team. “Matt was a really great guy,” Ward said. “He was the kind of guy that would give you a ride to the airport, and you’d offer him cash and he’d turn it down. He always had a huge smile on his face. He was a goof ball, but he worked incredibly hard. He just had so many great qualities about him. It’s such a shame to see him go at such a young age.” Deery, a Phillipsburg, N.J. native, was killed Wednesday, Aug. 1, in Upper Nazareth Township, Penn., when his Jeep swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid a turning vehicle, colliding head-on with a tractor-trailer cab. Upper Nazareth Township Police Chief Alan Siegfried told Lumination the accident occurred when a Nissan Altima in front of Deery’s Jeep stopped to wait for an oncoming semitrailer to pass before making a left turn. Siegfried said it seemed apparent that Deery didn’t see the semitrailer and swerved to avoid the car in front of him, hitting the eastbound truck. Track and field Head Coach Bill Taylor said, according to Deery’s parents, the young athlete was on his way to practice pole vaulting, in preparation for...
by Emily Snell | Aug 2, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
It is with deep sadness that the Lipscomb University athletic department announces that rising sophomore Matt Deery, a track and field standout, lost his life in an automobile accident in Upper Nazareth Township, Pa., on Wednesday afternoon. An All-Atlantic Sun Conference honoree for the Bisons in just his first season of competition, Deery was honored by his teammates and coaches as “Freshman of the Year” and as the “Fightin’ Bison” award recipient given to the toughest competitor on the team. “Matt was an incredible athlete and an even more incredible person,” Lipscomb track and field Head Coach Bill Taylor said. “Everyone loved him. He was a smart, caring, likable guy. He was a gifted athlete, yet he was so humble. “It’s really hard to comprehend this right now. Matt was a wonderful person with a gigantic future. He is going to be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. I know our entire team is praying for his family, his friends and each other.” Deery became the first Lipscomb field athlete in school history to earn second-team all-conference honors at the A-Sun indoor championships this past season with a second-place pole vault of 4.55m (14’ 11”). The Philipsburg, N.J., native went on to earn a bronze medal in the heptathlon at the A-Sun meet earning 4,889 points that set a school record. “We are obviously heartbroken for Matt’s family and friends, and I ask that you please be in prayer for comfort and peace all of those who will be grieving over his loss,” said Lipscomb Director of Athletics Philip Hutcheson. “Matt was a very special student athlete and...
by Cory Woodroof | Aug 1, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
Michael Phelps, the world-renowned Olympic swimmer, won gold during Tuesday’s 4×200 freestyle relay alongside teammates Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer and Ricky Berens. Phelps also earned his 19th medal – an honor that solidified him as the most decorated Olympian of all time. Phelps netted his 17th and 18th medals, both silvers, during the 4×100 freestyle relay and 200 meter butterfly races. With 19 medals, Phelps passes Larisa Latynina, who won 18 medals for gymnastics during the 50s and 60s. Latynina was present for the race in which Phelps won his 19th medal. “Phelps deserves the record,” Latynina told the New York Times through an interpreter. “He is such a talented sportsman.” Phelps broke records four years ago when, in Beijing, he received eight gold medals for swimming, breaking Mark Spitz’ long-standing record of seven gold medals accumulated during one set of Olympic games. Phelps was also named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year in 2008. Phelps has confirmed he will retire from professional swimming after the 2012 London games. Photo courtesy of The Los Angeles...
by Cory Woodroof | Jul 10, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
The Lipscomb men’s basketball team will travel to historic Rupp Arena to play the defending national champion Kentucky Wildcats on Dec. 15. The Wildcats last played the Bisons in Lexington during the 2005-2006 season, resulting in a 67-49 victory for Kentucky. Men’s basketball Head Coach Scott Sanderson expressed his excitement for the upcoming game. “Any team that plays Kentucky is going to be excited about it. There is a difference,” Sanderson said. “We have played at North Carolina, at Memphis and N.C. State. We have played in a lot of places, and by far, that is the best atmosphere I have ever been in for playing a college basketball game.” For Sanderson, this represents a unique occasion for the Bisons. “When people think of college basketball they think of Kentucky,” Sanderson said. “To be able to play those guys in Rupp Arena, like we did in 2005, is a great opportunity for the program and for the university.” The men’s full 2012-2013 schedule is set to be released next week, which will include other non-conference matchups. Those looking for tickets can contact the Kentucky box office at (859) 257-1818. (Quotes and information courtesy of the Lipscomb athletic department. Photo from USA...
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...
