by Aaron Schmelzer | Feb 17, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
While there were plenty of pitches thrown at Dugan Field this past weekend, one of the most special was thrown by Lipscomb baseball’s most recent addition to the roster. Brooks Russell, the five-year-old recruit who was signed to the team by baseball coach Jeff Forehand on Feb. 5., was given the honor of throwing the season-opening pitch for the Bisons on Saturday in their season opener against Evansville. Standing halfway between the pitcher’s mound and home plate, Brooks delivered a toss that received a round of applause. Kari Russell, Brooks’ mother, said that Brooks is very excited for the upcoming season. “He’s been super excited, asking about coming to the games,” Kari Russell said. “He really feels like he’s a part of the team.” “It’s totally boosted his confidence; some of it’s gone to his head a little,” she joked. While the team battled Evansville, Brooks sat right above Lipscomb’s dugout for much of the game. The Bisons, however, fell to the Purple Aces 8-2 on Saturday and also lost in their double-header on Sunday, 10-7 and 3-2. Despite the losses, Kari Russell says that Brooks will forever hold on to the memory of getting to be a part of the Bisons’ team. “I’m very sure that he’ll remember this for the rest of his life,” Kari Russell said. The Bisons begin their season 0-3 at Dugan Field, a downgrade from last season’s series opener when the team won two games out of three against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Lipscomb started the game off well on Saturday, but the team could not keep pace with Evansville, which scored four runs...
by Jael Teme | Feb 7, 2014 | News Slider
On this week’s Lumination News, Kelly Dean and Aaron Schmelzer lead the show from the anchors desk, keeping you updated on the latest events and news from Lipscomb University and beyond. Watch this week’s show to find out how the new metro transit system, AMP, will affect you, and see how the Bisons baseball team changed a young boy’s life. We also give you a look inside QuickDraw Nashville, and we keep you updated on the the happenings of the local coffee shop, The Well. Lumination News also gives you the details on spring sports. Stay tuned for next week’s show where we will keep you updated on the most recent happenings at Lipscomb University and in Nashville. Do you have story ideas? An event you want us to cover? Email our News Director at...
by Carter Sanderson | Feb 5, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
The Lipscomb baseball team officially started spring practice on Friday, as it is set to swing into the 2014 season on Feb. 14, a Valentine’s Day special. However, Wednesday, Feb. 5, marked an even more special moment for the baseball team with the signing of Brooks Russell. “Russell is a 5-year-old and a five-star recruit,” head coach Jeff Forehand said when asked about his brand new signee. Brooks is battling a pediatric brain tumor, which, in his case, was found in his spinal cord. The tumor was found following an MRI on May 10 and came as a devastating surprise to the Russell family. In May 2012 Brooks had his surgery to partially remove his tumor and was paralyzed for 6 weeks, relying on a walker to get around. Brooks’ mother Kari Russell likes to look on the positive side of her firstborn’s life. “It’s been a roller coaster, but it’s also been a blessing,” Kari Russell said. “We had to learn to watch him walk again, so to be able to watch him finally run and now play sports is just awesome.” Brooks’ favorite sport is baseball, and if you were to ask him what he wants for pre-game meal, he would tell you ice cream. Coach Forehand said in the press conference, “I ask Brooks what his best position was, like I ask all my recruits, and he said ‘Hitter’.” From that moment on, you can bet Forehand didn’t need to ask any more questions. What baseball team doesn’t want a hitter? “Brooks is a special kid going through some tough things,” Forehand continued. “I think the Lipscomb community...
