Pitcher Chris Kachmar selected by Chicago Cubs in MLB Draft

Pitcher Chris Kachmar selected by Chicago Cubs in MLB Draft

Former Lipscomb pitcher Chris Kachmar was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 28th round of the Major League draft. The right-hander, who finished his senior campaign with a record of 9-3 and a 3.61 era, was a first-team all-conference selection in the ASUN. He also earned ASUN pitcher of the week awards in two consecutive weeks at the end of the regular season for his performances against North Florida and Liberty. “I think the thing that stands out to everybody about Chris is just his work ethic and how much he has improved since we got him,” said Lipscomb coach Jeff Forehand.  “He and our pitching coach, James Ogden, have worked really hard. It’s both of them, but it’s Chris’s work ethic and discipline to be the best that he can be that put him in that position to make all-conference this year and for the Cubs to recognize him as a draft pick.”  Kachmar, from East Greenville, Pennsylvania,  transferred before the 2017-18 season to Lipscomb from Palm Beach State College. At Palm Beach he compiled an earned run average  of 3.79 as a sophomore. At Lipscomb in his junior year, Kachmar was able to step in and provide an immediate impact, but his season was cut short due to an injury. “He finished last May pretty much unable to pitch, so he went home for a few weeks, let that rest, came back, enrolled in summer classes and just started training and rehabbing his bad back,” Forehand said. “He got better, and he just continued to look forward every day to those 15 or 16 starts that...
Ernie Banks remembered for love of learning at Don Meyer Evening of Excellence

Ernie Banks remembered for love of learning at Don Meyer Evening of Excellence

Ernie Banks, known as “Mr. Cub,” died Friday night at 83.  The Baseball Hall of Famer spent his 19-year MLB career with the Chicago Cubs, hitting 512 home runs. The legendary baseball player shared some of his wisdom with Lipscomb during the sixth annual Don Meyer Evening of Excellence. Here is former Lumination Editor-in-Chief Cory Woodroof’s story about Banks’ message last April. Baseball great Ernie Banks advocates learning, friendship at Don Meyer Evening of Excellence Just because someone is king of his craft doesn’t mean he’ll ever stop learning, and for one of sports’ most respected and successful individuals, learning is something that never ceases. At the sixth annual Don Meyer Evening of Excellence, Baseball Hall of Famer and legendary Chicago Cub Ernie Banks taught all in attendance at Allen Arena the values of the learning process. “I’m just a learning person,” Banks said. As a part of the event, attendees got the chance to learn a little bit about Banks’ past, hear about his interactions with some of baseball’s great players and take to heart some of the wisdom he shared in a conversation with Jonathan Seamon. Banks, 83, is one of baseball’s most admired individuals. An icon in Wrigley Field on Chicago’s north side, the man beloved as “Mr. Cub” has amassed a large number of honors. Not only is he a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. His Cubs’ jersey number was retired and there’s a statue in his honor at Wrigley Field. He’s also a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom – an award given him by President Barack Obama, another well-known Chicagoan, in 2013. Banks shared ballfields...
Baseball great Ernie Banks advocates learning, friendship at Don Meyer Evening of Excellence

Baseball great Ernie Banks advocates learning, friendship at Don Meyer Evening of Excellence

Just because someone is king of his craft doesn’t mean he’ll ever stop learning, and for one of sports’ most respected and successful individuals, learning is something that never ceases. At the sixth annual Don Meyer Evening of Excellence, Baseball Hall of Famer and legendary Chicago Cub Ernie Banks taught all in attendance at Allen Arena the values of the learning process. “I’m just a learning person,” Banks said. As a part of the event, attendees got the chance to learn a little bit about Banks’ past, hear about his interactions with some of baseball’s great players and take to heart some of the wisdom he shared in a conversation with Jonathan Seamon. Banks, 83, is one of baseball’s most admired individuals. An icon in Wrigley Field on Chicago’s north side, the man beloved as “Mr. Cub” has amassed a large number of honors. Not only is he a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. His Cubs’ jersey number was retired and there’s a statue in his honor at Wrigley Field. He’s also a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom – an award given him by President Barack Obama, another well-known Chicagoan, in 2013. Banks shared ballfields with such baseball legends as Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Ron Santo and Roberto Clemente. Banks shared an anecdote about a time he encountered the legendary Robinson during a time out at the plate. The two met, and Robinson offered him sage words that impacted Banks – the importance of being silent and learning. “That’s what Jackie [Robinson] told me, you know, ‘just listen and learn,’ and that’s what I did,” Banks said. “For the young people today, that’s...