Students provided chance to see scorching Predators at discount price

The Nashville Predators lead the Central Division, and Lipscomb students are getting a chance to see the action at a discounted price. The Predators bring several new faces to the ice including Peter Laviolette, the new head coach. The changes provide a whole new style of play to the organization. Nashville was the only team left standing without a loss in regulation when they finally lost to Pittsburgh eight games into the season. First year Predator James Neal tallied the first hat trick on home ice for Nashville since New Year’s Day in 2012 against the Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 23. Lipscomb and the Predators organization have teamed up to let students in on the action on a college budget. Every Thursday night in Smashville is Student Rush Night. Lipscomb students and even faculty can purchase tickets for $15 in the upper bowl and $35 in the lower bowl. “My friends and I get tired of doing the same ole go out to dinner and see a movie thing,” sophomore Sarah Warren said. “The discounted Predators tickets make it affordable for us to do something different while getting to enjoy hockey and the awesome atmosphere in Smashville.” The games included on the discount include: • Thursday, Nov. 27 vs. Edmonton Oilers • Thursday, Dec. 4 vs. division rivals St. Louis Blues • Thursday, Jan. 8 vs. division rivals Dallas Stars • Thursday, Feb. 5 vs. Anaheim Ducks • Thursday, Feb. 12 vs. division rivals Winnipeg Jets • Thursday, Feb. 26 vs. division rivals Minnesota Wild • Thursday, March 5 vs. New York Islanders • Thursday, April 8 vs. division...

Ford Ice Center opens for business

After cutting the ribbon on Sept. 12, the Nashville Predators look forward to the new possibilities the Ford Ice Center will bring to the Nashville area. The new facility includes two NHL-size rinks, an upstairs party area, a café and a Predators apparel shop. The organization is hoping Ford Ice will provide a place for people to learn how to skate as well as grow the game of hockey in the Nashville area. “This facility is amazing,” Predators intern Kayla Evans said. “I’m glad the organization had the chance to build this, and I’m excited to see hockey grow because of the Ford Ice Center.” Olympic Gold figure skater Scott Hamilton will oversee the Hamilton Skating Academy, which will provide classes for all ages to come out to Ford Ice Center and learn how to skate. Country music singer-songwriter Vince Gill plans to broaden the hockey horizon in Nashville by reaching out to children. The plan is to create a scholarship program funded at Ford Ice Center. The program will be designed to give children the opportunity to play hockey without the hurdles of equipment costs or ice time. As part of the grand opening, the Predators hosted a rookie tournament. Rookies from the Predators, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins played three games each. The tournament provided more preparation for NHL training camp. Hockey fans can also catch Vanderbilt, Middle Tennessee State University and Sewanee’s club hockey teams playing at Ford Ice Center. The three teams will call the new facility their home rink. Over 10,000 fans enjoyed the opening weekend. The organization cannot be more...

The Postgame: Summer edition

The summer of 2014 has reached the halfway mark, and Nashville has had its full share of sports news in May and June. Here is a recap on what you may have missed. Lipscomb Baseball: Former Lipscomb baseball stars Rex Brothers and Caleb Joseph have been performing well in the MLB. Joseph, who was called up to the majors on May 7, hit his first home run on June 22 against the New York Yankees. After coming very close to making the MLB All Star team last summer, on June 14 Brothers became the first pitcher in Colorado Rockies history to pitch an “immaculate inning,” which means he struck out three batters on only nine pitches in the inning. Rex’s younger brother Hunter was drafted by his brother’s team, the Rockies, in the 30th round of the 2014 MLB draft. Brothers is currently pitching for the Grand Junction Rockies of the Pioneer League. Former Bisons Chris Nunn and Josh Smith are also currently playing in the Minor Leagues. Nunn is pitching for the Lake Elsinore Storm of the California League, while Josh Smith is suiting up for the Louisville Bats of the International League. Lipscomb Track and Field: The Lipscomb track and field team continued their run of success from the fall semester into the spring and concluded their triumphant run through the summer thanks to appearances at the NCAA Nationals by Gemikal Prude and Madi Talbert, as well as participation in the NCAA East Preliminaries by Prude, Talbert and Colin Dempster. Talbert was named a Second Team All-American, while Prude earned an honorable mention All-American spot. Vanderbilt Baseball:...

Former Gov. Phil Bredesen shares insight into political past with newest “now that you ask…” conversation

Former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen has done it all. Tuesday night, Bredesen spoke at the most recent “now that you ask…” conversation series hosted by Tom Ingram. Lipscomb’s Shamblin Theatre was full of attentive students and community members listening to Bredesen talk about his early life and career. During his term as governor, Bredesen tackled education, finance and health care in Tennessee, establishing large financial reserves, a statewide Pre-K program and a children’s health insurance program. Bredesen was also mayor of Nashville from 1991 to 1999, during which he recruited the NFL Tennessee Titans and the NHL Nashville Predators. However, before Bredesen accomplished those tasks, he started out on a track quite far away from politics. “I wanted to be a forest ranger,” Bredesen said. “In high school, I had no interest in politics at all. But when JFK became president, I realized that politics was something that good people could do, and make it good.” Bredesen then recalled his interests shifting from forest ranger, to geology, to physics. “When Sputnik was launched, I thought it was a sign that I should go into the sciences,” Bredesen said. “The hard sciences are a good field to go into.” Bredesen got into Harvard College “almost on a whim,” where he studied physics. “Growing up near Cornell University and Columbia,  I always thought I’d go to one of those colleges, but I applied late to Harvard and ended up getting in,” Bredesen said. When Bredesen finally became involved in the political world, the losses seemed more than the wins at the beginning. “There were a lot of losses, but I learned a...

Predators College Night stands as can’t-miss event for students

There is no shortage of Preds fans on Lipscomb’s campus, and Nashville Predators’ Taco Bell College Night has made it possible for them to visit Smashville for games at a decent price. Engineering student and hockey enthusiast David Wedekind is one who relishes the opportunity of the reduced-price tickets for college students. ”I enjoy Predators College Night because it is so nice to get together with your college buddies and take a break from school and head downtown to watch the Predators play some hockey,” Wedekind said. Wedekind has been at every College Night this season. “Being on a college budget can sometimes be hard to go to a lot of the games throughout the season, but with College Night, it is affordable for students, and you get to see some great match ups,” Wedekind said. Of course, he’s not alone among the hockey faithful at the university who head to Bridgestone Arena for College Night. Every Thursday home game, college students can receive tickets for as low as $15 (with a college ID) to watch the team that right now is ranked fourth in the Western Conference. College Night features upper level tickets for $15 and lower level tickets for $30. Lipscomb junior Michael Fox says that even for the experienced fan, there’s a lot to desire about College Night. “I’m originally from Nashville, and I’ve been to many Preds games, both College Nights and regular nights, and College Nights are one of the best for the price,” Fox said. “And, you can’t argue it is also one of the best date options in town.” With only four...