2016-16 ATHLETICS STAFF ADMINISTRATION & SUPPORT STAFF Philip Hutcheson ........................................................Director of Athletics Frank Bennett.......................................Associate A.D. for Internal Affairs Dr. Lin Garner ............Associate A.D. for Academics/Sr. Woman Admin. John Ezell ................................Associate A.D. for Compliance & Budgets Sherie Eubanks ...................................Assistant, Compliance/Academics Andy Lane ..............................................Associate A.D. for Development W. Paul Nance ...................Director of Creative & Development Services Phillip Beeman........................Coordinator of Athletic Business Services Dr. Kent Johnson ....................................Faculty Athletic Representative Rhonda Lehmer ..................................................Administrative Assistant EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Jamie Gilliam..................Asst. A.D. for Communications & Broadcasting Mark McGee ...........................Senior Publisher/Media Relations Director Garner Goode ..............................................Director of Sales & Marketing Kirk Downs................Assistant Director of Communications/Operations Logan Butts......................................................Communications Assistant Austin Gwin............................................Coordinator of Video Operations Calea Bakke ................................................Marketing Graduate Assistant BASEBALL Jeff Forehand ...........................................................................Head Coach James Ogden ......................................................................Pitching Coach Brian Ryman......................Operations Director / Recruiting Coordinator Brad Coon...........................................................................Assistant Coach Josh Lee.............................................................Volunteer Assistant Coach Mike Korte.......................................................................Student Assistant MEN'S BASKETBALL Casey Alexander ......................................................................Head Coach Roger Idstrom..........................................................Associate Head Coach Steve Drabyn, Sean Rutigliano .....................................Assistant Coaches Adam Jones ..........................................Director of Basketball Operations Kim Lillicrap ...............................Administrative Assistant for Basketball
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL Greg Brown ..............................................................................Head Coach Courtney Locke ........................................................Associate Head Coach Natalie Jarrett .........................Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator Clay Crothers ......................................................................Assistant Coach CHEERLEADING Pam Pearson, Valery Parham, Meryl McVicker ............................Coaches CROSS COUNTRY (MEN & WOMEN) Bill Taylor ............................................................Director of Cross Country Marcus Evans, Jenny Randolph, Benton Reed, Tim Muller, Steven Mason ....................................................................................Assistant Coaches Louisa Mason, Erick Kigen..............................Volunter Assistant Coaches Kristin Cupido ...............................................................Graduate Assistant Tabetha Taylor ......................Team Building & Leadership Development GOLF Will Brewer .........................................................................Director of Golf Ben Pellicani ..................................................................Men’s Head Coach Skye Rogers .............................................................Women’s Head Coach MEN'S SOCCER Charles Morrow ........................................................................Head Coach Peter Lowry .......................................................................Assistant Coach Stephen Lunney ...........................................................Graduate Assistant Garrett McLaughlin......................................................Volunteer Assistant WOMEN'S SOCCER Kevin O’Brien ...........................................................................Head Coach Kelsey Fenix.............................................................Associate Head Coach Shannon O’Brien ...............................................................Assistant Coach SOFTBALL Kristin Ryman ..........................................................................Head Coach Megan Rhodes Smith, J.J. Dillingham .........................Assistant Coaches Laura Dukes .................................................................Volunteer Assistant
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING John Hudy ......................................................................................Director Steve Mason .......................................................................Assistant Coach Jon Flinn.....................................................Tennis Performance Specialist TENNIS Mario Hernandez ..........................................................Men’s Head Coach Geoff Hernandez.....................................................Men’s Assistant Coach Jamie Aid .................................................................Women’s Head Coach Dwight Dale......................................................Women’s Assistant Coach Jon Flinn.....................................................Tennis Performance Specialist TRACK & FIELD (MEN & WOMEN) Bill Taylor .............................................................Director of Track & Field Marcus Evans, Jenny Randolph, Benton Reed, Tim Muller, Steven Mason ....................................................................................Assistant Coaches Kristin Cupido ...............................................................Graduate Assistant Erick Kigen, Louisa Mason, Tucker Peabody ............Volunteer Assistant Tabetha Taylor ......................Team Building & Leadership Development VOLLEYBALL Brandon Rosenthal .................................................................Head Coach Billy Ebel ..................................................................Associate Head Coach Justin Beachy ....................................................................Assistant Coach Ann Armes Toy ...............................................Director of Sports Nutrition SPORTS MEDICINE Will Ness ...................................................................Head Athletic Trainer Clint Woods, Hilarie Buck, Maggie Schweer .........................Athletic Trainers Kelsey Ferguson, Mark Forbing..........................................Athletic Trainers ATHLETIC OPERATIONS Brian Ryman ..........................................................Director of Operations Alex Ross ................................................Assistant Director of Operations Lint Smith .................................................Director of Grounds & Facilities Kirk Downs................Assistant Director of Communications/Operations
ATHLETICS 2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT
2 A NOTE from the Director of Athletics 3 HONORS: The James R. Byers Award 5 ACADEMICS: Lipscomb 3-peats Academic championship
100-Win Milestone Men’s Soccer coach Charles Morrow captured his 100th win on October 31, 2015.
7 HUMBLE CHAMPION: Meet Madi Talbert 8 SWEEP: Cross Country teams repeat as A-Sun champs 10 THE PROGRAM: Brandon Rosenthal has built a system 12 ONE FOR THE THUMB: Volleyball wins ASUN trophy #5 13 MODEL OF A TRAILBLAZER: Kayla Ostrom is an achiever 14 BEST YEAR EVER: Women’s Soccer is trending up 16 THE SPIRIT OF LIPSCOMB: Lee Marsh is the Bisons’ #1 fan 20 SOCIAL MEDIA: Look at some of the top hits for the Bisons 22 SECRET IDENTITY: Mark McGee is no ordinary staff member 24 HIGHLIGHTS: 12 events that shaped the year 26 TEAM FIRST: Cam Miller is no longer a Bison walk-on 28 TOURNEY TIME: Men’s Basketball earned a home game 29 CHEERS: “Mama Betty” has another family cheerleader 31 SOUTHERN GIRL: Ashley is taking her game overseas 33 PUCKETT LIST: The accomplishments of Brady Puckett 35 ACHIEVING RELEVANCE: Will Brewer is on a golf mission 37 DON MEYER EVENING OF EXCELLENCE: The 2016 event 38 PROGRESS UPDATE: Upgrades to Athletics facilities 40 THE LIPPY AWARDS: Student-Athletes take center stage 43 RECRUITING: Skype and FaceTime are valuable tools 45 FAITH: Chris Klotz is an ideal blend of faith and leader 48 2015-16: 17 things to know about Lipscomb University This Annual Report is produced by Lipscomb Athletics Office of Creative Services Director of Athletics Editor Features Writer Proofreader Photography Writers
Philip Hutcheson W. Paul Nance Mark McGee Dr. Lin Garner Jamie Gilliam, Kristi Jones Logan Butts, Kim Chaudoin, Kirk Downs, Jamie Gilliam
www.lipscombsports.com www.facebook.com/LipscombSports www.twitter.com/LipscombBisons 2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 1
From the Athletic Director Philip Hutcheson DIRECTOR of ATHLETICS
“NOW and LATER” arlier this year, I made the following observation to a friend about my time with Lipscomb Athletics. It only seems a few months have gone by since I came to campus as the Athletics Director and yet, I have now been here long enough that several of the young men and women whom I greeted on their first unofficial visits as freshmen or sophomores in high school have now officially graduated from our University. Talk about time flying! Over this time period, we have made tremendous progress in a number of areas and this year has been no exception. In the pages that follow you’ll relive some of the highlights of our 2015-2016 calendar. They include four different programs going on to NCAA tournament competition, several more of our programs setting new program highs in terms of wins or advancement into ASUN tournament competition, a third straight ASUN All Academic Championship, three individuals who were recognized as the ASUN Scholar Athlete of the Year in their respective sports and two student athletes who were competing for a chance to represent our country – one on the U.S. National team and one in the U.S. Olympic trials – both a Lipscomb Athletics first! Re-living some of these new high-water marks for our programs, coupled with my reflections on how quickly the time has come and gone for so many of the student athletes, only serves to reinforce two words that I’ve thought a lot about lately - “Now” and “Later”.
E
f
I think “Now” because the days are short for a student athlete on our campus. One minute, they are moving their belongings into the dorm for the first time, and the next, they are walking across the stage in their cap and gown. In between, they have four short seasons to make the most of their time here at Lipscomb. We want to make sure that right now we are doing all we can as a program to help that occur and many of you that are reading this, as some of our most loyal fans and followers, have helped make that happen. Your support has allowed many of our programs to reach new heights again this season. So once again, I use some of this space to say a heartfelt “THANK YOU” to each of you who, through your support and encouragement, share in the victories of the year. The fleeting days in mind, I also use this moment to say that we are committed to even greater improvements now. For some programs, it might be easy to say that we want to be better down the road. But recognizing how short the time is for each of those that put on the purple and gold, we are
2 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
committed to making sure that improvement happens now, not later, and we appreciate the fact that so many of you share that vision.
f
But even more important than the goals that we are gaining on “Now”, I think of what we are doing to address “Later” in the lives of these students. Because after the four short seasons of competing here are done, the real test of the job Lipscomb Athletics and Lipscomb University did training our teams will occur. It will occur later in our workforce as they go out to become our teachers, our coaches, our employees, our company leaders, our business and medical professionals and more. It will occur later in our communities as they go on to become our family leaders, our parents, and our volunteers. It will occur later as they face the highs and lows that come in one’s life and they draw on the lessons learned during their short time here to deal with them. It’s the “Later” that drives us to be the one of the few, if not only, programs in NCAA Division I competition to use a Spiritual Formation team to partner with our programs. We use them to lead mission trips, to organize Bible studies, to direct service opportunities and to work with team leaders and coaches all in an effort to help our programs reflect on life outside of and after athletics. You’ll have the chance to read more about that in this report as well, and it’s in the “Later” moments, those times when a student athlete goes on to successfully navigate life after they’ve hung up the jersey, that we as Lipscomb University Athletics supporters share in the greatest of victories.
f
As I said at the beginning, by now, I’ve been here long enough to see our student athletes from the first time they stepped foot on campus until they stepped across stage as a graduate. I’ve seen the improvements that are occurring season by season, and in 2016-2017, we will continue focus on reaching new heights - now. I’ve also seen the work that’s being done to ensure that our student athletes understand that their careers here go by in a flash. That in mind, in the coming year we will only increase our efforts to ensure that they are prepared for life later - after their Lipscomb days are done. Thank you again to each of you reading this for making these moments possible. And I encourage you to please join us again in 2016-2017 as we look forward to writing more of the “Now” and “Later” success stories of Lipscomb Athletics.
The James R. Byers Award The James R. Byers Award is the highest award presented by Lipscomb athletics. The award is given annually to the top senior female and male athletes who display outstanding Christian leadership and show academic and athletic excellence.
Kelly Young
Adam Lee
A two-year transfer from the University of Arkansas and a native of Madison, Mississippi, pitcher Kelly Young made an profound impact on the softball team when she joined it in the fall of 2014. Softball coach Kristin Ryman said, “Kelly is easily one of the best I’ve had the opportunity to coach.” The Kinesiology Department acknowledged her classroom work and 3.85 GPA by naming her their 2016 outstanding major. College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) selected her for its 2016 Academic All-District Softball Team. She was also selected to attend the NCAA Career in Sports Forum in Indianapolis in June. Kelly ended her regular-season career nationally ranked 14th in strikeouts (9.4) and 18th in total strikeouts (200). She led the ASUN in strikeouts and batters struck out looking (50). In A-Sun games only Young was first in strikeouts (84) and strikeouts per game, pitching nine games with 10 or more strikeouts.
For the first time in the history of the James R. Byers Award, brothers have won the award in consecutive years. Outfielder Josh Lee led off in 2015, and firstbaseman brother Adam won the award in 2016. Adam joined the Bisons in the fall of 2013 after a stint at Central Arizona Community College. Baseball coach Jeff Forehand calls Adam “consistent, trustworthy, and dependable, one who does his job daily and has earned the respect of his teammates and everyone he plays against.” Adam led the team in home runs and fielding percentage while pursuing a Masters degree in Management as a redshirt senior. The Franklin, Tennessee native posted a 3.74 undergraduate GPA, majored in psychology, and earned ASUN All-Academic Honors all three years. In addition, Adam annually participated in the Pujols Foundation Prom and served as a mentor for Lipscomb’s IDEAL program.
Director of Athletics Philip Hutcheson presented Young and Lee with their awards at the Lippy Awards, Lipscomb Athletics’ version of the ESPY Awards.
2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 3
The James R. Byers Award The highest honor an active Lipscomb athlete can receive, the James R. Byers Award is given annually to the top female and male senior athletes that display outstanding Christian leadership and show academic and athletic excellence. 1978
Mark Carter
2001 Jamie Gleaves SOFTBALL
BASEBALL
Jim Maddux
1979 Ralph Turner
Kelly Young
MEN’S SOCCER
MEN’S BASKETBALL
1980 Mike Cunningham 1981
2002 Shelley Sims
BASEBALL
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Chuck Hamar
Kyle Stephens MEN’S BASKETBALL
BASEBALL
1982 Alan Banks
2003 Kelley Wade WOMEN’S SOCCER
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Danny Norman
1983 Andy Dukes
MEN’S TENNIS
MEN’S TENNIS
1984 Nina Pedigo
2004 Kristin Peck SOFTBALL/VOLLEYBALL
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Jeff Maddux
1985 Mark Joseph
MEN’S SOCCER
BASEBALL
1986 Richard Beasley
2005 Lynn Roller WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
TRACK
Julie Holliday
1987 Patti Bandy
VOLLEYBALL
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Derek Berlin
1988 Michelle Parker
MEN’S GOLF
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
1989 Kim Puckett
2006 Ruth Mick
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK
Keith Herston
Andrew Harris MEN’S TENNIS
BASEBALL
1990 Kim Williams
1991
2007 Emily Ellis
WOMEN’S TENNIS
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Philip Hutcheson
Lindsey Rutherford
MEN’S BASKETBALL
VOLLEYBALL
Stephanie Shouse
Robbie Smithson
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Mike Carmody
BASEBALL
2008 Rachel Davis
MEN’S TENNIS
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
1992 Nina Hausmann
Jason Hopkins
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Dan Dragomire
MEN’S BASKETBALL
2009 Miriam McAlister
CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
1993 Kim Herron
Andrew Mizell
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Daniel Dennison
MEN’S TENNIS
2010 Lauren Dortwegt
MEN’S BASKETBALL
SOFTBALL
1994 Libby Burwell
Ryan Chastain
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Eric Grogan MEN’S TENNIS
1995 Jennifer Wood WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Andy McQueen MEN’S BASKETBALL
1996 Lynn Randolph WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Justin Morgan MEN’S SOCCER
1997 Julie Grogan
Adam Lee
WOMEN’S TENNIS
John Holt MEN’S BASKETBALL
1998 Susan Faulkner
Jenna Bartsokas WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Josh Slater MEN’S BASKETBALL
2012 Whitney Kiihnl SOFTBALL
Justin Glenn MEN’S BASKETBALL
2013 Hannah Phillips WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Ethan Summers MEN’S SOCCER
2014 Caitlin Dotson VOLLEYBALL
Tessa Hoefle
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK
Angela Shelton
Tucker Peabody
VOLLEYBALL
Andy Blackston MEN’S BASKETBALL
1999 Jennifer Bell WOMEN’S TENNIS
Tim Lavender CROSS COUNTRY
2000 Susan Bryant WOMEN’S TENNIS
Josh Willeford BASEBALL
4 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK
2011
TRACK & FIELD
2015 April Terry TRACK & FIELD
Josh Lee BASEBALL
2016 Kelly Young SOFTBALL
Adam Lee BASEBALL
In a
Rut ... a good rut, that is. Lipscomb has won four Academic Championships, including three in a row.
C
effort again this year.”
of all those who have contributed to Lipscomb’s winning its
in the classroom. Winning the academic trophy again is a real
fourth All-Academic Trophy—this year for the third year in a row.
credit to our athletic academic support staff, coaches and es-
harles Kettering has written that “High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation.” That concept epitomizes the collective mindset
What cannot be overemphasized is the contribution of the Lipscomb community from outside the Athletic Department: from the indispensable support of President Lowry and the
FAR Dr. Kent Johnson echoes those thoughts: “We are really proud of our student athletes' performance on the field and
pecially our student athletes. It is a great accomplishment and we couldn't be more proud of their achievement." Dr. Brian Mast also congratulates the student athletes for
Board of Trustees, to the faculty’s passionate student-driven
their dedication and observes that “It is a joy seeing student
focus on teaching and advising, to the extremely valuable assis-
athletes studying, collaborating with peers and working dili-
tance of the Academic Success Center and its director, Dr. Brian
gently with professional staff in the Academic Success Center.”
Mast, and terrific collaboration from our Faculty Athletics Rep-
Crucial to this team effort were Dr. Lin Garner, Associate
resentative (FAR), Dr. Kent Johnson, and the Registrar’s Office.
Athletic Director for Academics, her administrative assistant,
Faith-based success in the classroom as well as in athletic
Sherie Eubanks, and the rest of the athletic staff who are deeply
competition is foundational to the Athletic Department whose
committed to individually working with these students to facili-
head, Athletic Director Philip Hutcheson, leads a program which
tate, encourage, and celebrate that success. Special kudos go
purposefully subscribes to the Lipscomb mission of “integrating
to our coaches who persistently keep academic success in the
Christian faith and practice with academic excellence.”
forefront of their players’ minds and promote that success
When the Atlantic Sun Conference announced this year’s trophy recipient, Hutcheson asserted, “I'm proud of our student
when making team decisions. As Dr. Garner notes, “winning that trophy once again has
athletes for continuing to work as hard in the classroom as they
necessitated the type of guidance which is provided at the core
have in competition. They deserve the recognition that they've
level every day by our dedicated coaches.”
earned through their hard work, but it certainly has been a team
2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 5
In a Rut CoSIDA District 3 Capital One All-Academic Barbara Lee Ball (XC/T&F) Kayla Ostrom (volleyball) Tanner Sanders (softball) Kelly Young (softball) Atlantic Sun Scholar Athlete of the Year Kayla Ostrom (volleyball) Sally Larson (cross country) Lee Solomon (baseball) Atlantic Sun Winners for Life Team Kayla Ostrom (volleyball) Jared Wingerter (men’s indoor T&F)) Kelly Young (softball) A-Sun Postgraduate Scholarship Jared Wingerter (men’s XC and T&F) Atlantic Sun Academic All-Conference Eric Ansett (men’s golf) *Barbara Lee Ball (cross country, indoor & outdoor T&F) *Katie Bianchini (cross country, indoor & outdoor T&F) *Andrew Bosket (indoor T&F) George Brammeier (men’s basketball) Anna Buhigas (women’s soccer) Stoney Crouch (men’s golf) Lorena Djuknic (women’s tennis) Jewell Dobson (volleyball) Natalie DuBoise (women’s soccer) Brittany Elmore (softball) *Avery Franklin (indoor & outdoor T&F) *Daniel Gardner (indoor T&F) *Kade Hinkle (outdoor T&F) Kacey Kemper (indoor & outdoor T&F) *Matt Kerridge (men’s soccer) *Adam Lee (baseball) *Daniel Lenart (indoor & outdoor T&F) Cam Miller (men’s basketball) *Wayne Newman (indoor & outdoor T&F) *Kayla Ostrom (volleyball) Niamh Rawlins (women’s soccer) *Tanner Sanders (softball) Madi Talbert (cross country) *Lee Solomon (baseball) Ashley Southern (women’s basketball) Daniel Vieira (men’s soccer) *Devon Wade (indoor & outdoor T&F) Jared Wingerter (cross country) *Kelly Young (softball) Jason Ziegler (baseball) *unanimous selection 6 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
“He who is only an athlete is too crude, too vulgar, too much a savage. He who is a scholar only is too soft, too effeminate. The ideal citizen is the scholar athlete, the man of thought and the man of action.” – Plato
NOTES To be eligible for Capital One-CoSIDA (Col-
The Atlantic Sun Academic All-Conference
lege Sports Information Directors of America)
Team recognizes student-athletes who excel
Academic All-America® consideration, a stu-
both on the field and in the classroom and who
dent-athlete must be a varsity starter or key re-
also exemplify the A-Sun’s mission of “Building
serve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a
Winners For Life”. All the members of the team
scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore ath-
have a minimum 3.3 grade point average and
letic and academic standings at his or her cur-
participated in at least half of their team’s
rent institution and be nominated by the sports
games.
information director for the athlete’s sport.
Humble Champion
ver the past four seasons, Madi Talbert has accumulated quite a resume.
O
During her stint on the L Lipscomb track and field and cross country squads, the Charlotte, N North Carolina native has amassed fou four National Championship appearan appearances, 10 ASUN Individual titles, 20 All-C All-Conference honors, and 13 ASUN Ru Runner of the Week nods, not to ment mention the countless program records sh she has broken. "She is arguably the bes best female athlete in Lipscomb history history,” Lipscomb Director of Track and Fie Field and Cross Country said. “I think you could put her in any debate about the most accomplished athlete in Li Lipscomb history, y male or female.” y, Her latest accomplishm accomplishment, qualifying for the United States Oly Olympic Team Trials for track and field, will give current and future Lipscom Lipscomb athletes a template to build off of a and a belief that anything can be acc accomplished while wearing the Bison colors. “Madi has achieved thin things that are very important both for tthe cross country and track progra programs, and for Lipscomb Athletics as a whole,” Taylor said. “She is proof that L Lipscomb can develop world class athl athletes and that we can do anything. We can be the best in the nation in cros cross country and track, and in every s sport and aspect of the university. "Madi's accomplishmen accomplishments and development have been very important for us. They have helped mo move our program into the national a and international picture, and show what is possible here.” As her time in the purple and gold comes to an end, Talber Talbert and her numerous honors will not o only live on in the memories of coache coaches, teammates, and fans, but in tthe development of the program its itself. –Loga –Logan Butts 2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 7
2015-16 Honors
SW WE W EE E EP E P For the Third Consecutive Year, Lipscomb’s Women and Men Cleaned up the Atlantic Sun Cross Country Championships
NCAA I National Championship Finals Qualifier: Madi Talbert 3000m Steeplechase, (Outdoor) NCAA I National Championship Preliminary Round Qualifiers: Madi Talbert 3000m Steeplechase (Outdoor) Madi Talbert 5000m (Outdoor) Sally Larson 10,000m (Outdoor) Barbara Lee Ball 10,000m (Outdoor) Wayne Newman 110m Hurdles (Outdoor) Wayne Newman 400m Hurdles (Outdoor) Gemikal Prude High Jump (Outdoor) XC Atlantic Sun Runner of the Year Madi Talbert (2015) XC Freshman of the Year Brooke Kingma (2015) Indoor All-Conference Honors: Brooke Kingma Most Outstanding Freshman Performer Madi Talbert 5000m (2nd team) Brooke Kingma 5000m (Conference champion) Kacey Kemper 800m (3rd team) Katie Bianchini Mile (3rd team) Wayne Newman 60HH (Conference champion) Ryan Speer 800m (2nd team) Christian Freeman 5000m (Conference champion) Daniel Gardner 5000m (2nd team) Wayne Newman, Ryan Speer, James Tamburello, Andrew Bosket 4x100m Relay (3rd team) Academic All-American Barbara Lee Ball
Five-time Atlantic Sun Conference Women’s Champions: (FRONT, left to right) Sally Larson, Kate Bucknam, Katie Bianchini, Bridgette Doucet, Brooke Kingma BACK: Paige Stoner, Madi Talbert, Kelli Nesky, Barbara Lee Ball . 8 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
Outdoor All-Conference Honors Madi Talbert 5000m (conference champion) Madi Talbert 3000m Steeplechase (champion) Kate Bucknam 3000m Steeplechase (2nd team) Samantha Woodford 800m (2nd team) Katie Bianchini 1500m (2nd team) Katie Bianchini 5000m (2nd team) Brooke Kingma 5000m (3rd team Barbara Lee Ball 10,000m (2nd team) Sally Larson 10,000m (3rd team) Wayne Newman 400m Hurdles (Conference champion) Wayne Newman 110m Hurdles (Conference champion) Ryan Speer 800m (Conference champion) Jacob Poyner 5000m (3rd team) Jacob Poyner 1500m (2nd team) Brent Leber 10,000m (2nd team) Daniel Gardner 10,000m (3rd team) Stephen Gibson Shot Put (3rd team) Stephen Gibson Discus Throw (2nd team) Devon Wade Pole Vault (3rd team) Gemikal Prude High Jump (3rd team)
Madi Talbert Atlantic Sun Champion
Juan Gonzalez Top male finisher for the Bisons
XC Atlantic Sun All-Conference Team Madi Talbert, First Team (2015) Brooke Kingma, First Team (2015) Barbara Lee Ball, First Team (2015) Kelli Nesky, First Team (2015) Kate Bucknam, First Team (2015) Sally Larson, Second Team (2015) Katie Bianchini, Second Team (2015) Paige Stoner, Second Team (2015) Bridgette Doucet, Second Team (2015) Christian Freeman, First Team (2015) Daniel Gardner, First Team (2015) Juan Gonzalez, First Team (2015) Jared Wingerter, First Team (2015) Jacob Poyner, First Team (2015) Robert Rupp, Second Team (2015) Three-time Atlantic Sun Conference Men’s Champions: FRONT, left to right: Juan Gonzalez, Psalm Ocampo, Robert Rupp, Christian Freeman, Andrew Ayers BACK: Jared Wingerter, Daniel Gardner, Jake Poyner, Sean Hurd 2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 9
It’s All About the
Program Brandon Rosenthal is the dean of Lipscomb coaches and directs a program that has won five ASUN Championships and earned six trips to the NCAA tournament. by Mark McGee
eams and players come and go, but for Lipscomb volleyball coach Brandon Rosenthal it has always been about the program. The 2015 volleyball team won the Atlantic Sun Conference with a 13-1 regular season record, 23-9 overall. They swept the A-Sun Tournament Championship at home in Allen Arena. And they closed out the season with a trip to Los Angeles for an NCAA Tournament Regional hosted by UCLA. Brittnay Estes was named the ASUN’s Most Valuable Player and also was named the MVP of the conference tournament. Kayla Ostrom was named Setter of the Year. But that was one team. In Rosenthal’s 13 seasons as head coach the program has produced five ASUN Tournament Championships, five ASUN regular season titles, six trips to the NCAA Tournament, six ASUN Players of the Year and eight seasons with 20 or more wins. Stressing the program was Rosen-
T
10 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
thal’s approach from the beginning of his coaching tenure. Rosenthal, who holds an MBA degree from Lipscomb and a theater degree from Pepperdine, has drawn on his educational background as he developed his approach to coaching. “A lot of it was just building the culture we wanted,” Rosenthal said. “It has never been about a year. It is about the program as a whole. “My philosophy came 100 percent from my business classes as well as my education in theater. In theater you have actors, directors and stage crew. You have all of these people but more often than not the actors are the ones who get the credit. As an actor, when you work backstage you realize it is not just about you.” It was difficult for Rosenthal at the beginning. In his first two seasons he watched as his teams posted an 8-22 record in 2003 and a 9-20 worksheet in 2004. “For two years we won eight and nine matches,” Rosenthal said. “But the foun-
dation was being laid. It was a matter of trusting it. “You have to be confident to have a vision and make sure your players are buying into it,” Rosenthal said. “A lot of it has been based on my stubbornness and my desire for us to be the best.” Family is at the center of the volleyball program, and Rosenthal has watched as his players have formed a bond with teammates who came before them and those who have put on the uniform in later years. They know they have all shared the same challenges and endured the work required to be the best each of them can possibly be. “From a coaching standpoint it has never been about me,” Rosenthal said. “It is all about them. “I never saw a lot of reasons why we couldn’t do it. Everyone wanted to talk about the obvious. Instead of following the rules of other people, we have built our own story.”
Coach Factory hen Brandon Rosenthal became the head coach of the Lipscomb volleyball team, he thought about victories, championships and attracting the best players to achieve those goals. He never thought so many of those players, due to his influence, would someday become coaches as well. “More than anything, I have to say I am pleasantly surprised,” Rosenthal said. “When you see the sheer number of people on the list, it is impressive. I was like, `Wow, I had no idea there were that many’. “It is awesome these girls care enough to give back to their communities. It goes back to the philosophy of the program. We encourage them to be involved in the community and to stay involved in the community.” Former players Stefine “Jake” Pease House, Samantha Sullivan Crane. Kristin Peck Ryman and Margaret Davidson Organ also coached at Lipscomb as assistants under Rosenthal. Ryman is the Lipscomb softball coach. One of Rosenthal’s goals with his program is to have an impact on his players. When he looks at the list of his former players coaching on various levels, he realizes what a broad impact they are having on others. “They are taking the culture they have learned in our program and it is being instilled into the future,” Rosenthal said. “It is pretty special. “The number of lives being touched by the things we have preached every day in this program is both awesome and humbling. Lipscomb volleyball has impacted their lives enough they want to teach those lessons to others.”
W
“From a coaching standpoint it has never been about me. It is all about them.”
School Coaches Samantha (Sullivan) Crane Simi Valley HS Elly (Kaiser) Edwards Bishop Chatard HS Jessica Enderle Fisk University Jake (Pease) House Lipscomb Academy Ann Mullins Father Ryan Tory (Ashcraft) Verner Brentwood Katie (Rose) Wilkins Dunbar HS Alex (Scruggs) Young Christ Presbyterian Acad. Kaley (Mohr) Lyons Heritage Middle School Jewell Dobson St. Joseph's
Club Coaches Alliance Ann (Armes) Toy Caitlin Dotson Marcella Emmanuelli Brittnay Estes Kaycee Green Jake (Pease) House Hannah Hutcheson Alex Kelly Ann Mullins Claire Peterson Jenny Phelan Stephanie Rex Chloe Rogers Abby (Fay) Stewart Meg Stout Brittany Thomas Erin (Pierce) Vaca Tory (Ashcraft) Verner Alex (Scruggs) Young Charlyn (Ursell) Riley Meghan Hinemeyer Nashville One Samantha (Sullivan) Crane Margaret (Davidson) Organ Ashley (Cox) Fusner Kaley (Mohr) Lyons Junior Trojan Elly (Kaiser) Edwards Club West Jessica Enderle Pinellas Heat Rachel Reed Georgetown Force Katie (Rose) Wilkins
– Brandon Rosenthal
2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 11
One for the
Thumb The Bisons captured their fifth ASUN Regular Season Championship, their fifth Tournament Championship, and their sixth trip to the NCAAs.
Senio i r Brittnay io Bri r ttn ri t ay tn a Estes E tes was Es w s named regular wa r gula re l r seala sea Senior son MVP MV VP P and and tournament tourrn nament MVP MV VP P for ffo or the tth he ASUN. ASUN. N. son
On th ttheir eir i home court in ir i All Allen lllen Arena, a the a, t e Bis th Bisons i ons defeated is defe f atted Ke fe Kennesaw K nnesaw State Sta t te 3-0 in ta i the t e ASUN finals. th fi als fin l . ls
Freshman Carly Nusbaum led the Bisons in the finals with 14 digs.
12 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
Senior Jewell Dobson had 11 kills and was named to the All-Tournament team.
J Junior Kayla Ostrom was named ASUN Setter of the Year. o
Model of a K
Trailblazer Junior Kayla Ostrom, a member of the U.S. Collegiate Team, became the first Lipscomb Volleyball player named to a competition team for the U.S. Olympic Team.
Ostrom earned two jerseys. She gave one to her parents and the other to Coach Brandon Rosenthal.
ayla Ostrom spent part of the Fourth of July weekend wearing the red, white and blue of the United States of America, but she was thinking more about purple and gold. As a U.S. Collegiate National Team member Ostrom was a setter on one of three teams which played in Indianapolis, Indiana in a round robin tournament as part of the USA Volleyball Girls’ National Championship. “When I heard my name, Lipscomb and the name of my club when I was introduced, it was neat,” Ostrom said. “I see it as a gift to have had the opportunity. “Lipscomb is not a name a lot of people know around the country. It was cool to talk with the other girls about our schools and cultures. It was great to be able to be the face of Lipscomb. It was also pressure to do the best I could do each day and to be a good teammate.” For Ostrom it is even more special that Indianapolis is only an hour-and-a-half from her hometown of Lafayette, Indiana. Ostrom received two jerseys. She gave one to her parents and the other to coach Brandon Rosenthal. “That was a very special gift, not just for the jersey itself but for what it represents,” Rosenthal said. “It was also the card she gave me with the jersey where she thanked me for the opportunity for her to be a trailblazer.” Rosenthal was present for the matches. Assistant head coach Billy Ebel was also there serving as an assistant coach for one of the USA squads. “I was overwhelmed with joy to see her out there,” Rosenthal said. “I felt like a proud father. It didn’t matter how she played or how much she played. It was a special moment for me.” Ostrom, the Atlantic Sun Setter of the Year in 2015, is not the first Lipscomb player to be invited to the open tryouts in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the home of the U.S. Olympic training facilities. But she became the first Lipscomb player to be named to one of the competition teams. “Brandon talks a lot about leaving a legacy,” Ostrom said. “When I think about leadership, I think about blazing a trail – paving the way for people to follow.”
2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 13
Best Ye Y ar Ever With 12 wins and a berth in the ASUN Tournament finals, the Bisons are hungry for even more. n 2015 the Lipscomb women’s soc-
“Our theme verse is 1 Corinthians 10:30
prise. Quite honestly, had all-conference
cer team turned in the most suc-
I
and our daily focus is playing for the
player Anna Lail decided to play her sen-
cessful campaign in program history,
glory of God. So no matter how our re-
ior year, then Maycie may not have got-
compiling a 12-4-4 record and earning
sults go, I’ll be proud to coach this team.”
ten the opportunity to play so early in her
the program’s first Atlantic Sun Champi-
Along with all of the team-wide accom-
career. Don’t get me wrong, I knew she
onship game berth. On the way, the Lady
plishments, junior Anna Buhigas and
was going to be a top player; I just didn’t
Bisons notched six All-Conference spots,
freshman Maycie McKay turned in con-
think the impact would be so immediate.
three All-Tournament team members,
ference-best performances. Buhigas
She certainly seized her opportunity and
three All-Academic honorees, and three
took home the award for ASUN Goal-
we are thankful that she was able to be
ASUN Player of the Week winners.
keeper of the Year, while Maycie McKay
so consistent at such a young age.”
took home the first ASUN Freshman of
With nine of the team’s 11 starters
“We all felt great obviously, achieving program firsts and setting conference records are awesome achievements,”
the Year award in team history. “Winning Goalkeeper of the Year in two
coming back for next season, O’Brien and the squad plan to build on the suc-
Lipscomb women’s soccer head coach
consecutive seasons is truly impressive,”
cess of last season and continue the up-
Kevin O’Brien said. “But what the coach-
O’Brien said. “She’s a great competitor
ward development that started during
ing staff is most proud of is the manner
and leader who sets the bar very high for
O’Brien’s first season as head coach. The
in which this group competes. We’ll never
her teammates. We are thankful that we
Lady Bisons have improved their win
be the most athletic or talented team on
get Anna for one more season and are
record during each of his seasons.
the field, but we play with such heart and
hopeful she can get the Goalkeeper of
determination that it enables us to be a
the Year hat trick.
strong team.
14 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
“Maycie’s season was a wonderful sur-
“The plan is to continue doing things the way that we always have. But for clarity, our success on the field is a small
Two-time Goalkeeper of the Year Anna Buhigas is “truly a great competitor and leader.” – Coach Kevin O’Brien
Freshman Maycie McKay’s season “was a wonderful surprise. She certainly seized her opportunity.” – Coach Kevin O’Brien
part of what I define as success for this program. We won the academic excellence award for the conference; that’s success. We served on our fourth mission trip in four years; that’s success! Our players are loving each other well and glorifying God in their daily lives; that’s success.”
With nine of the team’s 11 starters coming back for next season, O’Brien plans to build on the success of last season.
– Logan Butts
2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 15
Athletics Director Philip Hutcheson refers to Lee Marsh as “our #1 fan.”
16 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
The Spirit of
Lipscomb by Mark McGee
illard Collins never played a sport at Lipscomb University. He was never an employee of the athletics department. But the longtime Lipscomb professor and eventually the school’s president had an impact on the athletics program, the depth of which he may not have even realized. Lee Marsh, a longtime supporter of Lipscomb athletics, makes his reason clear as to why he has been prompted to be one of the most generous contributors to Lipscomb athletics. “I fell in love with the school,” Marsh said. “All the people were wonderful. Athens Clay Pullias was the president. We would say `swing and sway with Athens Clay’. Willard Collins was the vice-president. Willard Collins was in chapel every day and everybody loved him. “Willard Collins is the reason. He made you feel comfortable. I want to help the church and Lipscomb. I had Willard Collins for Early Hebrew History. He made the characters come alive. He made such an impression on me. I was eager to continue learning.” Marsh, influenced by a cousin, Mary Merryman, decided to attend Lipscomb in 1946. He lived “in the country” around Pikeville, Tennessee. He had served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and went to school on the G.I. Bill. He remembers his first day on campus as a student was on a Sunday. He arrived on campus early and helped students
W
move into the dorm. The son of a coal miner and farmer, Marsh first learned about Lipscomb when he started reading the “Gospel Advocate.” “If it hadn’t been for the G.I. Bill, I could not have attended Lipscomb,” Marsh said. “My first thought was how big the campus was. Everything was small where I came from.”
A Pivotal Evening On “Stunt Night” in 1947 he met Ann Moss, the woman who would one day become his wife and help him raise three children, all graduates of Lipscomb. They were together for 65 years before her death in January of this year. “Stunt Night was a talent show,” Marsh said. “A pretty little girl from Birmingham, Alabama played the piano and sang “All of Me.” “Then she came off the stage and sat with me on the front row for the rest of the program. I asked her if I could walk her back to her dorm and she said, `yes’. That was the best thing that ever happened to me.” She would say “yes” to his wedding proposal as well. Marsh graduated June 2, 1950 and married Ann on June 4. Marsh majored in physical education at Lipscomb. From 1946-48 he played basketball on the junior varsity for coaches Herman Waddell and Eugene “Fessor” Boyce. After graduation in 1950 he returned to
From 1946-48, Marsh played on the JV team under coaches Herman Waddell and Eugene “Fessor” Boyce.
2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 17
Marsh threw out the first pitch at Steven Lee Marsh Stadium on March 17, 2005.
Pikeville where he coached football and basketball and taught. “I wasn’t a very good coach,” Marsh said. “I taught and I knew coaching and teaching were not for me.”
A Career Change He decided to pursue a career in banking and accepted a position with the old Commerce Union Bank. Much of his work dealt with providing financing for owners of automobile dealerships and he found that profession attractive. He became a partner in a Ford dealership in Dickson, Tennessee in 1966. He had several dealerships including locations in Centerville, Waverly and Huntington. He also helped his son, Steve, purchase a dealership in Milan. Marsh has remained in the banking business through his 40 years of service on the board of the Bank of Dickson, a position he still holds. Marsh and Ann sent three children to Lipscomb – Stephen, Gwendolyn and
18 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
Marsh enjoys a moment with Director of Athletics Philip Hutcheson.
“
The first contribution Marsh made to Lipscomb was a year after his graduation. He donated $50 to the school.
”
Cynthia. Stephen was active as a play-byplay announcer for Lipscomb baseball in the late 1970s, including the two NAIA National Championships. He passed away suddenly at the age of 41. His name lives on at Stephen L. Marsh Stadium, home of Ken Dugan Field. The first contribution Marsh made to Lipscomb was a year after his graduation. He donated $50 to the school. “That was a lot of money back then and
a llot of money for me,” Marsh said. “They wa wanted everybody in the school to give back. It just evolved from there.” ba He has given so many times that amount since, with athletics being the am primary beneficiary. His name is on the pr Huston-Marsh-Griffith Tennis Center. The Hu baseball stadium has been greatly imba proved due to his donations. His annual pr pizza party at Allen Arena to introduce the piz basketball teams and distribute season ba tickets has become a tradition. tic Through the years Marsh developed a strong bond with Ken Dugan, the late st baseball coach and athletic director at ba Lipscomb. He also has seldom missed a Lip basketball game. ba “I liked Coach Dugan,” Marsh said. “When he started coaching the team, I “W started giving to the athletics program. I st liked the people who have been involved lik in athletics. “When Butch Stinson came to play for the baseball team in 1971, we were good, th but he put us on the map,” Marsh said. “In bu 1971 and ‘72 we were second in the NAIA.” 19
From an initial $50 gift, Marsh has become Lipscomb Athletics’ most valuable supporter.
Marsh rates the 1977 and 1979 NAIA National Championships in baseball as two of the biggest events in the history off the athletic department. He wasn’t in Kansas City, Missouri for the men’s basketball program’s 1986 National Championship. He was in Daytona, Florida with the baseball team in 1986 when the men’s basketball team won the NAIA National title in Kansas City, Missouri. Marsh listened to the game on his radio in his hotell room with a number of his fellow Lipscomb fans. Marsh’s influence has been a cornerstone in the continued development of the athletics program. “While I'm proud to o call Mr. Marsh a Lipscomb Athletics Hall of Fame member, a fellow Lipscomb University alum and even a fellow member off the church we attend together, what I'm most proud to call him is my friend,” Philip p Hutcheson, Lipscomb’s Director of Athletics, said. “I don't know anyone who enjoys or appreciates more what it means to be a part of the Lipscomb Athletics
“
Mr. Marsh is the kind of man that makes anything he’s part of better. – Philip P ilililip Ph ip Hutcheson Hutc t heson tc Director Dir ire ir recto t r of Athletics to Ath t le th l ti tic ics
”
family. ““As “A s a result, I don't know anyone who loves, and is loved by, y more Lipscomb y, alums and fans than Mr. Marsh. His obvious passion for the programs, the history and most of all, the people who are a part of Lipscomb is contagious, and if you asked many Lipscomb Athletics alums if there was just one fan they can remember from their time on campus, Mr. Marsh's name would be at the top of
most of those lists.” m Hutcheson stresses that Marsh has done so much to make everything he is do involved with better. “It's said that some inv people are thermometers and some are pe thermostats, meaning that some react to th the circumstances around them and th some change any environment that they so are a part of for the better. Mr. Marsh is ar the kind of man that makes anything he's th part of better, and I often greet him by ap saying, "the quality of this gathering just sa improved now that you're in the building!" im “Whether that's Lipscomb University, the businesses he's been a part of, the th churches he's attended, the communities ch he's lived in or the family he's led, Mr. he Marsh has made all of those better for his M having been a part of them. And on a ha more personal level, he's made me, and m I'm sure many other friends, better people as a result of the encouragement he shares and the example that he sets.” sh Mark McGee is Senior Publisher and Media Relations Director.
2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 19
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS YEAR ON LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS’
Social Media
March 1, 1 2016: FACEBOOK F CEBOOK – Bisons host Stetson in ASUN FA B k b ll Tournament Basketball T game
November 21, 21 2015: FA F FACEBOOK CEBOOK – Lipscomb Volleybal captures fif h ASUN Ch fifth Championship i hi
May 5, 2016: TWITTER – Lipscomb Golf learns destination ffor their h i fi first NCAA appearance
June 29, 2016: TWITTER – Lipscomb Track star Madi Talbert qualifies lifi ffor U.S. U S Olympic Ol i Trials Ti l
20 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
September 16, 2015: TWITTER – Beautiful new Lipscomb bus iis unveiled il d at Allen All Arena A
March 27, 7 2016: FA 7, F FACEBOOK CEBOOK – Lipscomb Softball player Kelly Y i d iinto Ch i Young iis b baptized Christ
November 21, 2015: INSTAGRAM INSTA T GRAM – Congratulations to ASUN Champions: TA Li Lipscomb bV Volleyball ll b ll
JOIN THE SOCIAL MEDIA PARTY • WEB: www.lipscombsports.com • FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/lipscombbisons (@lipscombbisons) • TWITTER: https://twitter.com/LipscombBisons (@LipscombBisons) • INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/lipscombbisons
2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 21
Secret Identity Mark McGee MAY LOOK LIKE AN ORDINARY SPORTS INFORMATION GURU, BUT IN TRUTH HE’S AN AWARD-WINNING WRITER AND COMMUNICATIONS INSTRUCTOR WITH A LAW DEGREE.
22 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
ipscomb Athletics Media Relations Director and Senior Publisher Mark McGee was selected a winner not once, but twice, in the most recent CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest. The Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Awards were established in 2002 by CoSIDA to recognize excellence in feature writing, historical features, administrator/coach profiles and even coverage writing. Entries are judged on overall writing style, correct use of English, inventiveness, written presentation and the ease with which the read acquires the information. McGee brought home first-place honors in two categories in District IV: Best Event Story and Best Season Preview/Recap. District IV is one of eight CoSIDA districts across the country and is comprised of schools from the states of Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.
L
McGee also was a first place winner in the Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) writing contest in the features category this year. "These are stories about people," McGee said. "You look at these awards, most of them are based on people. I am honored I won, but to me what makes a great story isn't necessarily the writer, but the subject matter you are given." McGee's best event story titled "Lipscomb wins ASUN volleyball title with sweep" details the Lady Bisons quest of finally capturing the conference tournament title primarily through the eyes of senior Brittnay Estes, who was at the end of an outstanding four-year career that included All-Conference honors, regular season championships, NCAA Tournament appearances and even a MVP honor. The only thing missing: a conference tournament title. "What Brittnay had to say about her emotions and everything that was going through her head at the end of the match made the story," McGee said. "I had the privilege of writing it down, but it was about what she had to say. "I don't ever write anything where I go, 'yeah this is good', but the volleyball event story is probably as close as I have ever come to saying that."
McGee's second honor came on a season preview titled "Softball in 2015 will show "It's Not About Me". At the time, senior shortstop Paige Neely heard the acronym "INAM" being spoken on television by Kennan Reynolds, former quarterback and Heisman contender for the U.S. Naval Academy, after a record-breaking game. Instead of talking about himself, Reynolds turned it around and made it about his teammates. Neely chose "INAM" as her personal motto for the 2015 season, but after explaining the meaning to her coaches and teammates, they decided to promote the message and use it as the team slogan. "The softball team had such a unique theme and the players really bought into it," McGee said. "What they had to say about it made the story better. The players and the coaches really believed in it and gave it some depth from that standpoint." Although McGee has degrees in Business and Law, he has found success in the sports journalism field. These two awards mark the second straight year McGee has earned top district honors, bringing his career CoSIDA awards total to 13, including a national first place for best event coverage of the year in 2011. One of the district awards was shared with former volleyball player Caitlin “Dot” Dotson who wrote a blog for lipscombsports.com. For a guy who has plenty of hardware on his shelves, McGee has never once believed he was a great writer. "The day you think you are a great writer is the day you should stop because you will never get any better," McGee said. "I even tell my classes, I feel like as a writer you are constantly working to improve, you are never satisfied and I believe that even applies to the best writers in the world. “ Echoing the aforementioned "INAM", McGee is quick to deflect his successes to the ones he crossed paths with in his profession. "It's just like good players make good
coaches – well, good subject matter makes good stories and makes you a good writer," McGee said. "It is all about how good are the people you work with. I have been really lucky to work with some good coaches and players here at Lipscomb." McGee entered journalism while in high school as a photographer and writer for his hometwon daily paper, the Shelbyville Times-Gazette. He moved to the Nashville Banner in 1981 and began making a name for himself, eventually being named Senior Sports Writer, where he covered beats that included Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Tennessee State University, Nashville Sounds, Lipscomb and the United States Football League. He also covered a number of Kentucky Derbies and Major League Baseball All-Star Games. While with the Banner McGee completed his law degree at the Nashville School of Law. He is working on a masters in Conflict Management at Lipscomb and plans to complete it in December of 2017. Perhaps two of his greatest achievements were having the privilege of covering Super Bowl XX and an interview with NBA Hall of Famer "Dr. J," Julius Erving, when he was with the Philadelphia 76ers. “I was already a fan of Dr. J as a player, but he made me a fan for life,” McGee said. “He helped me out and he didn’t really have to do it.” Anyone involved in the field of sports knows what comes with the territory: long hours, average pay, tons of deadlines and run-ins with disgruntled parents and athletes. But McGee has never once regretted his decision of making sports his one true love. "I look back at it and think I could have made a lot more money as an attorney, but I would have missed out on all the people I have met, all the games I have been to and the wonderful experiences I have had during my time as a writer," McGee said. “I love what I do. "It's all about the stories; it's all about the people. If it wasn't for what they had to say and what their lives are like, this would have been a lot harder job.” Kirk Downs is Assistant Director of Communications for Lipscomb Athletics.
2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 23
IT HAPPENED HERE: These 12 events helped shape 5-PEAT
3-PEAT
Women’s Cross Country again dominated ASUN competition, capturing their 5th consecutive championship.
Men’s Cross Country is quickly making a name for themselves, winning their 3rd championship in a row.
6th TRIP TO NCAAs
1st NCAA TEAM BID
Volleyball earned their sixth NCAA tourney bid and a match in Los Angeles vs. #14 UCLA.
Coach Will Brewer’s Men’s Golf earned a bid to the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional, their first.
BEST BISON EVER?
ASUN FINALISTS
Madi Talbert ran her way to the NCAA Championships and the U.S. Olympic trials, making her case as our best-ever runner.
24 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
Lipscomb Women’s Soccer capped their best season with 12 wins and a showdown at topseeded FGCU. The future is bright.
A MEMORABLE YEAR 2015-16 for Lipscomb Athletics 136STEALS
100VICTORIES
Brittany Elmore set an ASUN career stolen base record, bouyed by her 31 thefts this season. She also batted .369.
Men’s Soccer coach Charles Morrow earned his 100th victory with a 3-0 win over Stetson on Oct. 31, 2015.
US OLYMPIC TRYOUT HALL OF FAME ADDS Kayla Ostrom heads into her senior year with more than 2,500 assists and a U.S. National Team tryout under her belt.
five new members: Larry Breedlove, Phillip Dickens, Glenn Eddins, Trey Hartman and Wayne Wright.
1,000 POINTS
MOST WINS/SEASON
Josh Williams and J.C. Hampton each scored their 1,000th points this season. Williams achieved the feat faster than any other Bison.
Women’s Tennis won 14 matches this year, the most in their history. It’s the third year in a row they have increased their win total.
2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 25
Team First
by Jamie Gilliam, Assistant Athletics Director of Communications and Broadcasting
26 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
Former walk-on Cam Miller has proved his va v value.
he long hours taking shot after shot, running suicide after on’s suicide and the gallons of sweat made every walk-on’s dream become a reality for Lipscomb’s Cam Miller last inst season as he joined the starting lineup on the road against cross-town foe Tennessee State. see It would not be a one-and-done for the Franklin, Tennessee s of native either as he would go on to start the final 20 games iller the season for Casey Alexander’s squad in 2015-16. Miller headed into the season thinking he had a chance to play some ome pertinent minutes but never expected to find the blinding spotpotlight on him on the bench as his name was announced to the ena. crowd among the starting five for home games at Allen Arena. “I knew I was capable of playing meaningful minutes but I didn't think I would start,” Miller said. “Last year things just kind of happened. We had injuries and different lineups thatt we tried. It just kind of opened up for me and I took advantage ge of it. I didn't really think about starting or not starting when I got h here, I “It's just the mentality that I have,” said Miller. just wanted to play.” i h the play “You play to the end of the whistle and finish play. I'm not That injury bug hit Alexander’s team hard last season including that big physically and I'm not that quick so I have to do other the loss of first-team All-ASUN selection Josh Williams in early Dethings in order to play like getting loose balls, rebounds, and nit, Alexander cember. Despite the Bisons resembling a M.A.S.H. unit, defen playing defense. That's kind of my role on the team. I emcontinued to have confidence in his group, including g movth and show in practice that I can do it. This brace that ing Miller into his new role as a guy he could depend d on. leads to opportunities to show it in the game.” “His greatest characteristic as a player is his dede eThat Th blue collar approach is something that pendability,” said Alexander. “You can count on Cam m Alexander desires in all of his players. Ale e to get his assignment right. He plays within his lim-“Cam is totally self-sufficient, dependable, its, uses his strengths and tries to avoid doing too o m mature, and a great example to our players of much that often leads to mistakes. When you have e wh makes you successful as a student-athwhat a guy that is literally making only a positive contribu-lett said Alexander. “That's learning to take lete,” tion when he's on the floor, then that inspires pretty ttty e of yourself and being prepared for what care CAM MILLER significant confidence for the coaching staff.” come e your way when this part is over. We want comes Miller averaged playing 22.8 minutes per game, fourth f just more jus s like him.” most on the team, and led the team in assist to turnover rn nover ratio Alexander also a believes that Miller’s efforts on the court with a 2.5 mark, turning the ball over only 26 times. s. Miller Mill turned t d classroom at Lipscomb will set him up for even and d iin the h class l that reliability into more minutes as a key player over the last half greater successes in the near future as he embarks into the of the year. business world after his upcoming senior campaign. “I've always been a consistent, steady player even throughout “Cam will be a successful businessman, a great husband, a high school,” said Miller. I was the captain of our team but I wasn't great father, and live happily ever after I would assume,” said anything special. I just played basketball and played my game and Alexander. “We want guys that it's not a matter of if they're tried to not get too rushed in the game and stay calm.” going to be successful, but it's kind of a situation where you That gameday approach starts in practice. Miller believes his apjust want to sit back and can't wait to watch and see what they proach to every opportunity he was given built the coaching staff’s make out of their lives. Cam is a sure-fire bet to be successful.” confidence in him.
T
“I just wanted to play.”
2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 27
TOURNEYTIME The Bisons won a thrilling 92-89 OT first-round game at Jacksonville to earn a coveted home game in round two. Unfortunately, the season ended in Allen Arena with a crushing 96-75 loss to Stetson.
J.C. Hampton scored 35 points, most for a Bison since Josh Williams hit 34 in 2014.
Cam Miller: 10 points and two assists
Freshman Eli Pepper scored 15 points and led the team with nine rebounds.
Freshman Garrison Mathews: 10 points, one steal, one block
LU Bison was at the top of his game entertaining tthe fans. th
Lip i ip Lipscomb’s cheerleaders ttraveled 19 hours by bus tr in two days to support their team.
28 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
Alexander: “tremendously proud of our team”
67 Years and 2 Generations Apart “Mama Betty” waited a long time for another family cheerleader
hen Betty Nance enrolled in David Lipscomb College in 1948, it was a different time. A movie ticket was 60 cents. Gas was 26 cents a gallon. Bread was 14 cents. A soft drink was a nickel. And when she wanted to mail a letter home to Paducah, Kentucky, it would cost her three cents. “The year I was to start at Lipscomb my parents had just built their dream home,” Betty said. “My Daddy had worked at Sears in the tire department, but he had the opportunity to open his own business and buy a General Tire
W
dealership. “They sold their house so I could go to Lipscomb. They were determined I was going to a Christian school and I wanted to go to a Christian school. Brother Willard Collins visited us. Jennings Davis was a senior and traveled, recruiting for the school. I decided if they had men like them there, I wanted to go.” When she started leading cheers for Lipscomb, basketball games were played in Burton Gym. In her final year at Lipscomb she had the opportunity to cheer in McQuiddy Gym, the largest
gym in the area at the time. Known as “Mama Betty” by her family, she was part of a much different campus. She was also a cheerleader in a day when that is exactly what they did. “Oh my, yes, it was different back then,” Betty said. “We led cheers. We wore skirts that were down below our knees. We didn’t build pyramids. “I remember one cheer called `Ki yee, Ki yo’. We would divide the cheering section in half and see which side could out-cheer the other. We raised the roof in Burton Gym and McQuiddy.” 2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 29
1949: 194 9 9: 94 9 Jerl Jerlene rle rl lene York, Y rk Yo rk, k, Fannie F nnie Fa i Rice ie Ric i e Gill, ic Gililillll,l, Bobby b Bro by Brooks, r oks ro ks, ks s, Betty t Owe ty Owens, w ns, we s Charl s, Charles rle rl les Buffin Buffington, ffi gto ffin t n, n Joy Joyce oyc oy yce Sanderson and Joy Gregory. 2016: The Cheerleading team has grown to 22 members.
1951: Betty Owens Nance says cheerleading has made big changes since her days.
All-District in high school basketball and volleyball, her love of athletics fueled Lindsey’s interest in cheering.
30 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
In 2016 Mama Betty is a regular at Lipscomb basketball games. She loves sports, but she has another reason to attend. Her granddaughter, Lindsey Nance, is a cheerleader for the Bisons. In high school Lindsey ran track and won All-District honors in basketball and volleyball. She was reluctant at first to become a cheerleader in college, but she has enjoyed following in her grandmother’s footsteps. “Mama Betty has a great name around Lipscomb,” Lindsey said. “Any day people compare me to her is an awesome day for me.” Lindsey’s father, Paul, is Director of Creative Services for Lipscomb athletics. She was working for him in the office one day after her freshman year when cheerleading coach Pam Pearson met her and asked her to try out. “I just laughed it off,” Lindsey said. “But the idea kind of stuck with me. Maybe it was God telling me I should think about it again.” Lindsey shares her grandmother’s love of sports. Her plans are to pursue sports writing or sports broadcasting, and she has thoroughly enjoyed an internship this summer at 104.5 – The Zone’s Midday 180. “I thought cheerleading would help me in broadcasting by conquering my fears and stage fright,” Lindsey said. “Cheerleading was new and scary and I knew my friends from high school and my older brothers might give me a hard time, but it worked. “I love the stunting and the way it was
challenging on my muscles and body. A lot more work goes into cheering than people realize.” Mama Betty often points out the ways cheerleading is different from her time in front of the crowds. “She’s pretty passionate about it,” Lindsey said. “Before I started as a cheerleader she talked about how the cheerleaders seem to want the crowd to clap for them instead of cheering for the team. “It was good for me to hear that. We shouldn’t cheer to draw attention to ourselves. Our job, just like hers in the 1940-50s, is to get the fans excited.” The first time she cheered for the Bisons in the “Battle of the Boulevard” was her toughest challenge. “I was so nervous,” Lindsey said. “I didn’t sleep the night before. We were cheering at Belmont. I was terrified. “When we opened up against Oakland City my first game, I was shaking. I thought, `what if I forget a cheer?’” Lindsey feels she is part of the game as a cheerleader, something that was unexpected for her. “When someone makes a great shot or a great play, we – cheerleaders and fans – are a part of that,” Lindsey said. “We all have the same goal: we all want to win. It surprised me when I felt an ownership similiar to what I used to feel as a player. “I love Lipscomb. I love representing this school.” Mark McGee is Senior Publisher and Media Relations Director.
A Southern Girl Branches Out From Tuscumbia to Nashville to Germany, Ashley Southern will become Lipscomb’s third professional women’s basketball player.
here are no Taco Bells in Germany, leaving former Lipscomb basketball forward Ashley Southern unable to get a fast food fix at one of her favorite restaurant chains. “I don’t know what I am going to do about the food situation,” Southern said. “They have McDonald’s, Burger King and Kentucky Fried Chicken. That is one of the first things I asked my coach about was American food.” Well, actually there are five Taco Bells in Germany, but all of them are on military bases, making it difficult for the general public to gain access. To make matters worse, there are no Cookout restaurants, her other favorite in Nashville. Struggling to score a fast food fix is just one of the adjustments Southern will experience when she arrives in Germany to play for the BG ’89 Avides Hurricanes based in Rothenberg. The team is part of the Damen Basketball Bundesliga (DBBL), the premier women’s basketball league in Germany. The season begins at the end of September and if her team is successful, she could be on the court until the end of April. Teams play twice, one game at home, one on the road, a total of 22 games. Teams practice four times a week. She plans to be in Germany September 1. She will have a Christmas break to allow her to return home. She will share housing with two players from Finland, one from the Czech Republic and one from Canada. “The two players from Finland played college basketball in the United States,” Southern said. “The team furnishes our housing. We will be able to walk from our house to practice.” A native of Tuscumbia, Alabama, Southern became one of the top players in the Atlantic Sun after transferring from Chattanooga after her freshman season. She admits she had thought about possibly playing professionally, prompted by remarks from those who had seen her play. “I thought about playing overseas, but the summer of my junior year I had decided not do it,” Southern said. “I was trying to figure it out. Then I thought: why wouldn’t I go see another country and play basketball? (continued)
T
2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 31
SouthernGirl
CONTINUED
“She is smart and talented. She is organized and understands how to manage time.” – Coach Greg Brown “People love it or hate it. I don’t think there is a lot of in-between. I think it is what you make it. I am excited to be uncomfortable and experience something different.” After her career at Lipscomb ended, she was connected with an agent who connected her with the German team. She will have to make several adjustments to her style of play. “I know the 3-point line is farther back than college,” Southern said. “I have been told it is a more physical game than we play here in college. Our coach likes to get down the court and score transition points.” Lipscomb coach Greg Brown thinks Southern will make a smooth adjustment to the European style of play. “It may work well for her with her ability to face up and use her quickness,” Brown said. “If they want to bang, she can flip the switch on them. I think she can turn it into a strength. “Just like high school to college there is an adjustment period. She is going to be playing with women. She is smart and talented. She is organized and understands how to manage time. That is going to put her way ahead. She will figure it out.” Southern is the third Lipscomb women’s player to play professionally. Hannah Phillips played in Australia. The first pro player for the Lady Bisons was Beth Stark, who was a member of the Nashville Noise, part of the short-lived American Basketball League. “Absolutely it is a big thing,” Brown said. “It can be a nice living. At 22 or 23 years old getting paid to play in Europe is something not everyone gets to do. “Scouts don’t care what school you play for. It is what you can do for them. We can show recruits they can get a wellrounded education with a spiritual emphasis and if their goal is to play on the professional level, the opportunities are there.” – Mark McGee 32 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
Coach Greg Brown honored Southern for her 1,000th point, scored November 28, 2015 against North Alabama.
Ashley Southern and her family were honored at Senior Night on Saturday, February 27, 2016.
A valuable player who led the team in scoring the past two years and in rebounding the past three, Southern left an indelible mark on Lipscomb Basketball.
In 2016 ace pitcher Brady Puckett completed arguably the best season for a pitcher in Lipscomb’s storied history. He led the Atlantic Sun in five categories, was named ASUN Pitcher of the Year, earned First Team All-Conference honors and was named a Louisville Slugger® All-American by Collegiate Baseball. Here are his impressive numbers ...
by Kirk Kir Ki irk rk Downs Down w s wn
Puckett List by Kirk Downs
2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 33
Puckett List
107.2 101
His number of innings pitched was tops in the ASUN and the second most in a single season in Lipscomb’s NCAA era, trailing only the total thrown by Ian Martinez-McGraw’s 112.1 thrown in 2014. Led the conference with 101 strikeouts, 15 more than the closest player. That single season total ranks third in the program’s DI era. Only Rex Brothers (133) in 2009 and Josh Smith (124) in 2010 had more.
16
The number of wins Puckett has earned during his two years in Nashville, tying Martinez-McGraw for the most career victories in Lipscomb’s NCAA history.
11
The number of strikeouts Puckett had in wins over Mississippi Valley State and Kennesaw State, setting a career high.
9 8 7.0 6-8
Paced the ASUN with nine wins in 2016. Also tied for the most in a single season in the program’s Division I history. He did not lose a game over his last eight starts. In 12 of his 15 starts Puckett pitched at least seven innings. As if his mid-90s fastball is not imposing enough, Puckett stands at a daunting 6-foot-8 when staring down his opponents in the batter’s box.
4
The number of ASUN Pitcher of the Week awards Puckett brought home. No other player in the conference won more than two.
3
The number of complete games tossed by Puckett, the most in the ASUN. He went the distance in wins over Eastern Michigan, Jacksonville and North Florida.
3rd 2.93 1st 34 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
Was voted a Louisville Slugger® Third Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball in June. With the selection he became the first non-freshman Bison to ever receive the honor. This microscopic ERA by the Murfreesboro, Tennessee native led the Bisons and ranked third in the ASUN. Puckett is the first Bison to ever take home the ASUN Pitcher of the Year honor. He was a unanimous selection by the league’s head coaches.
Achieving Relevance Lipscomb Golf is driven by Will Brewer, a marketing guru who speaks as much about branding as he does about putting ... and it’s working.
I
f you look up the phrase “turn the corner” in the McGraw-Hill dictionary, you will find it means “to pass a critical point in a process.” For the Lipscomb men’s golf team, the 2015-16 campaign was certainly a season that turned the corner in the NCAA Division I era. “I think it's easy to turn the corner when you have good players that are dedicated and are intentional about everything they do as it relates to getting better,” said Lipscomb Director of Golf Will Brewer. “We've got a number of our players that are bound and determined to improve. You see it in their work ethic. You see it in what they are doing during the summer. You see it in the questions they ask and what they do at practice. You can't coach that.
vengeance. Their expectations of themselves are very high so it makes it easy for me. I don't have to motivate much.” The Bisons set lofty benchmarks as a program, but the talented group of young men under the direction of Brewer was able to meet those high standards. “I'm very pleased. I think we pretty much met all of our benchmarks that we wanted to meet,” said Brewer. “We won two tournaments and advanced to the NCAA regionals. We wanted to finish in the top-60 nationally and we finished 55th. “The only thing I scratch my head about is ‘did I set our goals too low because we got them all?’ I think all in all we saw great improvement.”
A first: NCAA tournament Lofty goals are crucial “These guys see their goal within reach and they're going after it with a
Brewer’s team heard its name announced live on the Golf Channel as the NCAA field was announced on May 5
before a packed crowd in the Allen Arena Hall of Fame Room. The team is the first men’s squad on campus to earn an at-large berth into NCAA postseason play. The Purple and Gold finished eighth in the Tuscaloosa Regional, hosted by the University of Alabama.
Success breeds success The NCAA selection was a culmination of a season that saw the team post nine top-5 finishes including wins at the Autotrader.com Collegiate Classic and the Little Rock/First Tee Classic. The win in the Autotrader.com made more people begin to take notice of the Bisons program, culminating in the team’s receiving the first-ever votes in the coaches’ top-25 poll. “I look at things from a branding standpoint,” said Brewer. “I think it's very important to have a solid brand whether that's Coca Cola, Chick Fil A, Apple or Augusta National. All of those 2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 35
Achieving Relevance
October 13, 2015 – Capturing the Autotrader.com Collegiate Classic in Atlanta was a boost for the Bisons, both in terms of national exposure and confidence. Dawson Armstrong led the team and the field, but Hunter Howell and Eric Ansett also played well for Lipscomb.
Sophomore Dawson Armstrong became the first Lipscomb golfer to win the ASUN Golfer of the Year award.
“We’ve been initiated enough. Now we’re part of the club.” – Coach Will Brewer companies have good brands because they are quality and they have a vision and purpose of what they're trying to do for their customer base.
Step by step “I think for us the challenge here was to overcome the lack of relevance that we had among Division I schools for golf. We began to overcome that when Dawson Armstrong went to the NCAA regionals in spring of 2015 and played so well. Then the team won two tournaments, and people began to notice us. Last fall we won the Autotrader, and I think that's when the flag went up – when we beat South Florida, who was ranked 15th in the nation. It got our players to believe. We keep telling them that they are much better than they 36 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
n think they are, and they are. They began to believe that.” Brewer believes his team is poised to build on that, continue its upward track, and make appearances in the NCAA postseason a regular occurrence. “If we can play well next year, then I think we should make another trip to the regionals and our expectation is to get to the finals at Rich Harvest Farms where Dawson won the Western Amateur. That would be a great place to go and play well. The thing that really inspires me is that we are now in a category of golf programs that is relevant. We've been initiated enough. Now we're part of the club.” – Jamie Gilliam
Sophomore Eric Ansett led the way as the team captured the 23rd Annual First Tee Classic in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Pat Williams is a gifted speaker with an energetic delivery and a worthwhile message.
Lipscomb Athletics’ Don Meyer Evening of Excellence is M an a annual athletic fundraising event named after long-time e basketball coach Don Meyer. b This year’s event on April 16 featured Pat Williams, recipient fe of o the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 by A the t Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and one of the top motivaF tional speakers in the country, t Pat Williams has served as Orlando Magic senior vice president la since 1996. As senior vice presis dent for RDV Sports, parent d company of the Orlando Magic, c Williams directs all strategic planW ning activities and serves as the n strategic marketer for members ships and promotional leader for s the t $50 million state-of-the-art RDV Sportsplex. R The author of more than 70 books, Williams and his wife, b Ruth, have 19 children, including R 14 1 adopted from four different nations. n
T Don Meyer Evening of The Excellence is named after the E llegendary former Lipscomb basketball coach who passed b away in May of 2014 after a a courageous battle with cancer. c Director of Athletics Philip Hutcheson served as host for the evening.
Former Bison Andy McQueen delivered entertaining stories about Coach Meyer.
Previous speakers P 2009 Coach Don Meyer 2 2010 Tim Tebow 2011 Coach Mike Krzyzewski 2012 Coach Brad Stevens 2013 Phil, Si and Kay Robertson 2014 Ernie Banks 2015 Coach Jim White
2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 37
P ProgressUpdate
The new scoreboard was installed in January 2016.
r nd-new LED ra E scoreboard ED score r board re r replaced rd r pla re l ced the la t e original th ori rig ri igin i al on Ken K n Dugan Field Ke Fie Fi ield l at Steven Steve v n Lee Marsh ve M rs Ma r h Stadium. Sta t di ta diu ium. A bra brand-new
“These improvements are symbolic of the progress our teams are making in their goals.” – Andy Lane Bright-colored Bri B rig ri ightt colo tl re lo r d wi w windscreens inds in d cre r ens wh re w which i h als ic also l o serve ls v as secti ve section tio ti ion sig signage i nage enhance th ig tthe e sp s spectator ecta t to ta t r ex e experience xperi xp rie ri ience at Dugan Fi F Field. ield ie ld. d.
New hallway signage for Lipscomb Athletics offices 38 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
LipscombAthletics Upgrades at Marsh Stadium and Allen Arena
The T Th e LED E board ED boards rds rd ds mean new value v lu va l e fo fforr sp s sponsors. onsors r . rs
New score scorer’s r r’s re ’ tables ’s t ble ta l s with le w th wi t LED E signage ED sig i nage In ig I Allen Alllllle len Arena Are r na signal re sig i nal a new day ig day da ay for f r Lipscomb fo Lip i scomb basketball ip baske k tb ke t alllll and volleyball. v lllle vo ley eyb yballllll.l.
IIn-game In -game pro promotions r moti ro tio ti ions are r enhanced wi re w with t th th tthe e board boards. rds rd ds.
Lipscomb University’s ESPN3 capabilities were expanded to cover softball and baseball, including the full ASUN Baseball Championship. Lipscomb’s team broadcast 74 events, most in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Bright new flags spell out “LIPSCOMB” for fans.
Help us keep improving Athletic facilities! To learn more about Lipscomb Athletics’ matching gifts program: Andy Lane E-mail: andy.lane@lipscomb.edu Phone: (615) 966-5853
2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 39
Maycie McKay
Brady Puckett
Niamh Rawlins
Shannon O’Brien
Female Freshman of the Year
Male Freshman of the Year
International Student Athlete of the Year
Lippy Awards Coordinator
Kayla Ostrom
Billy Ebel
Brandon Rosenthal
Frank Bennett
Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Assistant Coach of the Year
Head Coach of the Year
Athletics Administrator of the Year
Baseball
Abby Newby
Gemikal Prude
Team of the Year, Best Record-Breaking Team Performance
Matt Deery Award, Female
Matt Deery Award, Male
40 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
Lippy Awards Honor Student-Athletes The brainchild of 2014 SAAC President April Terry and driven by Shannon O’Brien, the 2016 Lippy Awards were more fun than anyone ever imagined. Complete with a “purple carpet,” hors d’oeuvres and awards for outstanding teams and student-athletes, this was one awards show that exceeded its hype ... and then some.
Madi Talbert
Billy Ebel
Brandon Rosenthal
Dawson Armstrong
Female Athlete of the Year
Master of Ceremonies
Master of Ceremonies
Male Athlete of the Year
Volleyball – The Bison Cup Award
2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 41
“THE LIPPYS” AWARDS SUMMARY Allen Arena • April 27, 2016
Team of the Year Outstanding Performance in Academics, Athletics, and Outreach
Baseball
Scholar Athlete of the Year Highest GPA & Significant Athletic Impact
Kayla Ostrom, Volleyball
Female Athlete of the Year Best Female Athletic Performance of the Year
Madi Talbert, Cross Country
Kelly Young
Adam Lee
James R. Byers Award
James R. Byers Award
Dawson Armstrong
Philip Hutcheson
Best Record-Breaking Individual Performance
Director of Athletics
Male Athlete of the Year Best Male Athletic Performance of the Year
Dawson Armstrong, Men’s Golf
Matt Deery Award Most Inspirational & Exemplary Contribution to Our Team
Gemikal Prude, Track & Field Abby Newby, Track & Field
International Student-Athlete of the Year Best Overall Performance of an International Student
Niamh Rawlins, Women’s Soccer
Female Freshman of the Year Best Athletic Performance of the Freshman Class
Maycie McKay, Women’s Soccer
Male Freshman of the Year Best Athletic Performance of the Freshman Class
Brady Puckett, Baseball
“Our Team” Award Serving Lipscomb Athletics Above and Beyond Your Call of Duty
Lipscomb Athletics Housekeeping Staff
The Bison Cup Awarded to the team most supportive of Our Team
Volleyball
“Don Meyer Head Coach of the Year” Inspirational and Exemplary Contribution to Our Team
Brandon Rosenthal, Volleyball
Assistant Coach of the Year Inspirational and Exemplary Contribution to Our Team
Billy Ebel, Volleyball
Athletics Administrator of the Year Frank Bennett
Best Record-Breaking Performance INDIVIDUAL: Dawson Armstrong, Men’s Golf TEAM: Baseball
The James R. Byers Award The highest honor awarded by Lipscomb Athletics to outstanding senior male and female student-athletes
Kelly Young, Softball Adam Lee, Baseball Lipscomb Athletics Housekeeping Staff Our Team Award 42 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
hen Lipscomb women’s
W
That means when most people in
“We talk a lot, but it is all done virtu-
tennis coach Jamie Aid
Nashville are sleeping, Aid is on the
ally. It is great we are in a day and age
makes a telephone call
phone talking with prospects from Eng-
when so many things are virtual. You
at 3 a.m., she isn’t calling “Jake” to
land to the Ukraine who have already
have to be very tuned in and very alert
check on an insurance deal.
started their days.
to their body language.”
The world is shrinking on all fronts
“I often come in early in the morning,”
and athletics is no different. Several
Aid said. “I spend a lot of time on Skype
17 roster are international players.
All eight of Aid’s players on her 2016-
of Lipscomb’s sports teams have at
and FaceTime. In all reality my time with
“The biggest challenge for me is
least one player from outside of the
an international recruit is more than my
finding the right fit…the right girl who
United States, but no teams are more
time with recruits from the United States.
comes in and treats our program like a
affected by international talent than
It is a different process and a different
family and likes the university and uni-
the men’s and women’s tennis teams.
dynamic.
versity community, who wants to go to Bible classes and chapel and wants to go on mission trips,” Aid said. “There are so many aspects to our program outside of tennis. If you just want to come here and hit a tennis ball, this is not the best school for you.
Recruiting Bisons from Overseas
“The players we talk to have a lot of options on the NCAA Division I level. This program has always had a great foundation with a culture of doing it right. Our girls for the most part are very mature about how they talk with you and very mature in how they talk about their games. They want to come to Lipscomb.”
Men and women alike Men’s tennis coach Mario Hernandez has eight foreign players on his roster. “The most difficult part about recruiting an international player is the fact that it's difficult to see them play in person,” Hernandez said. “All of the
by Mark McGee
recruits will have videos which are important, but seeing them in person is always best.” Like Aid, Hernandez makes use of Skype and FaceTime to communicate with recruits. “We also have so many resources at our disposal in terms of
2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 43
Recruiting Bisons from Overseas CONTINUED
pictures, videos and articles about the
training at off-campus facilities. We are
don. This year junior college transfer
school that we can send to them
fortunate to have our own tennis courts
Laure Assena from Cameroon will join
through email,” Hernandez said. “Get-
on campus with the Huston-Marsh-Grif-
the team via Arizona Western College.
ting information and speaking to over-
fith Tennis Center which is an advantage
seas recruits today is just as easy as
for us.”
speaking to a kid from Tennessee.”
The interest is evident Recruits are interested in many aspects of the school and also want to know about training and their potential
Men’s soccer coach Charles Morrow
“We never saw her play in person. But
U.S. - Ivan Sakou from Cameroon, Daniel
we watched her on film and talked to a
Vieira from South Africa and Daniel
lot of people we trusted who had seen
Muhlbauer from Germany.
her play in person.”
Jake Dines from Oxford, England, is a
“We wanted her on campus, but for an overseas recruit that’s tough on our
member of the men’s golf team.
budget,” Brown said. “To get to know
Budget-friendly option
her a little better, we Skyped with her
many times he hears it. “The question I hear most often is
us some film clips of Jess,” Brown said.
has a trio of players from outside of the
teammates. But one question always surprises Hernandez no matter how
“We had talked about some skill sets we needed and someone we knew sent
and we even had the team Skype with Last year, Lipscomb women’s basket-
her. That showed us enough to invest in
`are your courts on campus?’,” Hernan-
ball coach Greg Brown had one interna-
bringing her to campus for a face-to-
dez said. “This is because a lot of the
tional player on his team, forward Jessica
face meeting.”
other schools they speak with are
Davies, from Watford, England near Lon-
– Mark McGee
“
The e biggest challenge forr me is finding the righ ht fit ... I pay a lots of ay right atte ention to a recruit’s attention body language.
”
– Jamie J mie Ja i Aid ie i id W men’s Wo ’ Tennis ’s T nnis Te i Coach is Women’s eigh ht members on Aid’s 2016-17 roster are All eight international players.
44 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
LIPSCOMB SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Where Faith & Leadership Unite:
Meet Christopher Klotz ife within Lipscomb University Athletics is about more than simply winning and losing games. Instead, it is about using the platform of sports to build relationships, share the Gospel and witness the Spirit of God transforming lives within an athletic department, Nashville and the world. What may be foreign to other NCAA DI universities across the country is a priority for Lipscomb Athletics: to invest in student-athletes spiritually by incorporating a full-time chaplain in its athletic department to invest in students and coaches. Christopher Klotz, director of spiritual formation for Lipscomb Athletics, is charged with the task of empowering Lipscomb’s student-athletes and coaches to become the men and women God has designed them to be by providing an environment for them to grow spiritually. “We have a unique opportunity as an athletic department to help encourage student-athletes to pursue a relationship with Christ by providing resources and opportunities for growth throughout their time at Lipscomb,” said Phillip Hutcheson,
L
athletic director for Lipscomb Athletics. Within this role, Klotz invests in and mentors male student-athletes and coaches, organizes weekly devotionals and Bible studies, leads athlete breakout chapels on campus and helps facilitate Lipscomb’s student-led chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). He also leads local outreach programs for students to have an outlet to serve and engage the community. Each Thursday, Klotz takes athletic teams to serve at Carter Lawrence Elementary School to invest and assist nearly 20 third and
ffourth grade students within the Sports Fun after-school class. Student-athletes F help tutor and help complete homework h assignments before leading elementary a students in various sporting activities in s tthe gymnasium and sharing wisdom about the importance of academics and a being on a team. b “Part of my role and passion is to provide environments for our athletes to v grow spiritually,” Klotz explained. “As John g Ortberg said, ‘growing spiritually means O tto live increasingly as Jesus would in our unique place - to perceive what Jesus u would perceive if he looked through our w eyes, to think what he would think, to feel what he would feel, and therefore to do what he would do.’ Without a doubt, serving at Carter Lawrence is something Jesus would do, and because of that, we are there.” Klotz also serves as the trip coordinator for Athletic Missions, and sent out 10 athletic mission trips this year to serve in Uganda; Nicaragua; Dominican Republic; El Salvador; Mexico; North Carolina; and Nashville, Tennessee.
2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 45
LIPSCOMB SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Mimi Cartwright taught softball on a trip to Mexico.
Athletes and coaches from an assortment of Lipscomb teams served together in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“Part of my role and passion is to provide environments for our athletes to grow spiritually.” Christopher Klotz DIRECTOR OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION FOR LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
Working directly under the umbrella of Lipscomb Missions, Lipscomb Athletic Missions works with nine host partners domestically and internationally. These strategic partnerships allow short-term trips to return to the same communities year-after-year and invest in the same people, creating long-term relationships and eternal impact. “As we move into a new season for Athletic Missions with it being under the direction of Chris Klotz, I find myself more excited than ever about the future of this initiative,” said Mark Jent, director of Lipscomb Missions. “His boundless energy and Christ-filled spirit will not only continue to permeate the hallways of Lipscomb Athletics, but as many of you can already attest, his influence can spiritu-
46 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
ally shape this generation of Bisons that will last far longer than their days of being an athlete.” As he begins his second year of this position, Klotz says he desires the Lipscomb Athletic community to grow in Christ’s likeness in a Division 1 athletic environment. “Everyday we have the opportunity to live our mission; on our campus, within our teams, within our city, within our conference, within our country, and across the world,” said Klotz. “God uses everything, including athletics, to show us how our lives are part of a greater story. Our mission is to encourage, challenge and empower the Lipscomb Athletics community to know Jesus and live fully into the life He offers.”
Coming alive in passion: Shannon O’Brien Another significant member of the Spiritual Formation team within Lipscomb Athletics is Shannon O’Brien, who serves as director of women’s spiritual formation. The part-time counterpart to Christopher Klotz, O’Brien’s passion is to mentor and disciple female student-athletes to grow in their giftings and become the women God has created them to be. “When we’re talking about spiritual formation, it’s kind of a big title, but quite honestly it’s simply mentoring and helping student-athletes redirect their lives, and see God’s truth and see how they can
LIPSCOMB SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Jacey J Ja cey e Zapf ey Zap Za apf prayed pra ray ra aye yed wi with w ith it th this t is th i woman’s w man’s wo ’ family ’s f mililily fa ly in i El E Salvador. Salva v do va d r. r
Katie K Ka tie ti ie Coll Collier llllilie ier danced d nced with da wit wi ith th her friends fri fr rie iends d at the ds t e Mango th M ngo Tree Ma Tre Tr ree Daycare Day ayc ay ycare r in re i Uganda. U anda Ug d . da
Lacey Klotz enjoyed time with this young friend in Gulu, Uganda.
Ryan Terry formed a special friendship on this mission trip to El Salvador.
step back and navigate with a true north,” said O’Brien. “My passion, that I’ve discovered, is helping people identify how they have been wired by God and then encouraging them to activate that.” O’Brien helps usher student-athletes to Christ through one-on-one mentoring, a weekly women’s Bible study and the annual Galentine’s Day event, a women’sonly event that ministers to girls about the truth of God’s love. She also helps to facilitate Lipscomb’s student-led FCA and has participated in various athletic mission trips including women’s volleyball and women’s tennis. In addition to walking alongside student-athletes, O’Brien helps administer Spiritual Formation graphic design, social
media, website and the “Stories of Our Team” blog.
“My passion is helping people identify how they have been wired by God.” Shannon O’Brien DIRECTOR OF WOMEN’S SPIRITUAL FORMATION
O’Brien’s desire to mentor and disciple female athletes continues within the context of the Lipscomb women’s soccer team where she serves as an assistant coach.
Working alongside her husband, Kevin O’Brien, head coach of the women’s soccer team, O’Brien trains goalkeepers and invests in each girl on and off the field. “Chris and Shannon have been crucial in shepherding our students to Christ and encouraging them to grow in His likeness,” said Phillip Hutcheson, athletic director in Lipscomb Athletics. “In the past four years, 65 student-athletes have been baptized and we know that is the working of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of these students, and for that we give the glory and honor to God.”
Kim Chaudoin is AVP of Communications and Marketing for Lipscomb University.
2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 47
LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY
2015-16 Brings s Continued Growth 17 good things to know aboutt Lipscomb University
1 RECORD ENROLLMENT Last fall the Lipscomb community began the year celebrating yet another enrollment milestone — topping the 4,600 mark for the first time in university history with an official enrollment of 4,686. This marked an 86 percent enrollment growth over the past decade.
2 HONORS FOR INNOVATION Lipscomb was named one of the South’s most innovative e schools by U.S. News and World Report’s “2016 America’s Best Colleges” guidebook. With an overall ranking of 18 in the Regional Universities-South category, Lipscomb was named one of the best colleges in the region for veterans and was named one of the top “A+ Schools for B Students.”
3 UPGRADED CLASSIFICATION BY CARNEGIE This year, Lipscomb University was reclassified by the Carnegie classification system as a doctoral university: level 3 (moderate research). Until now, Lipscomb was classified as a master's degree institution. The upgrade groups Lipscomb with 113 other institutions (7 percent of all colleges and universities in the country).
4 EXCELLENCE IN TEACHER PREPARATION Lipscomb's College of Education was ranked the No. 15 best value in the nation by the National Council on Teacher Quality. In addition, the college was ranked among NCTQ's 35 "Top Colleges for Content Preparation" in the nation. 48 LIPSCOMB ATHLETICS
5 MBA PROGRAM LAUDED The College of Business’ Master of Business Administration program is ranked among the 74 best in the nation by Bloomberg Businessweek.
6 AFFORDABLE AND DISTINCTIVELY CHRISTIAN Human Resources MB named Lipscomb University one of the Top 50 Most Affordable Small Colleges for an HR Degree in 2015. For the third consecutive year, Lipscomb was named a Christian College of Distinction.
LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY Compiled by the Office of University Communicaton & Marketing
7 PRODUCING EFFECTIVE TEACHERS For the fifth year in a row, data in Tennessee's Report Card on the Effectiveness of Teacher Training Programs indicates Lipscomb’s College of Education is one of the most effective teacher preparation programs in the state, consistently producing new teachers who outperform veteran teachers based on value-added scores.
8 A CAMPUS FRIENDLY TO MILITARY PERSONNEL Military Advanced Education awarded Lipscomb the designation of a “Top Military-Friendly University” in its newly released “2015 Guide to Military-Friendly Colleges & Universities.”
9 TOP RANKING FOR BUSINESS UNDERGRAD PROGRAM The College of Business’ undergraduate program has been ranked one of the top 100 in the nation by Bloomberg Businessweek in its Best Undergraduate Business Schools 2016 ranking.
10 #2 CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY IN THE SOUTH Lipscomb University is ranked No. 2 on Christian Colleges Online's “Best Christian Colleges and Universities in the South 2017" ranking.
11 COLLEGE OF EDUCATION A “MODEL OF EXCELLENCE” The College of Education was named the 2016 Model of Excellence in Partnerships by the Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education.
12 100% PASS RATE FOR PHARMACY The College of Pharmacy was honored by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy as one of only ten colleges of pharmacy nationwide to obtain a 100 percent pass rate in 2015 on the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination.
13 TWO-TIME “BEST VALUE” In 2016, for the second year in a row, Lipscomb University was named to the Kiplinger Personal Finance list of 100 best values in private universities.
14 BEST UNIVERSITY FOR VETERANS Lipscomb University is ranked No. 14 in the "2016 Top Christian Colleges and Universities for Veterans" ranking by Christian Universities Online.
15 SUMMER PROGRAMS PRAISED Best College Reviews ranked Lipscomb's summer program No. 20 in the nation in it's "Top 50 Best College Summer Programs" 2016 list.
16 TRUE TO OUR ROOTS Christian Colleges Online ranked Lipscomb No. 14 on its "Top 50 Bible Colleges 2016" ranking.
17 A COLLEGE OF DISTINCTION Lipscomb University is named a 2016-17 College of Distinction. 2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT 49
THANKS TO OUR
Corporate Partners
BRENTWOOD
LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS • 1 UNIVERSITY PARK DRIVE • NASHVILLE, TN 37204 • WWW.LIPSCOMBSPORTS.COM