Chuck Ross remembered as Lipscomb’s No. 1 fan

Nashville has lost an icon, and Lipscomb has lost its biggest fan. Chuck Ross has died at the age of 68.  Ross passed away on Friday morning due to complications of diabetes and fluid on his lungs. He was receiving hospice treatment at the Lakeshore Heartland Nursing Home. For six decades, Ross was one of the campus’ most recognizable faces. He attended nearly every sporting event that Lipscomb had to offer, cheering on his beloved Bisons and Mustangs with the now-hallowed chant, “Beat’em, and beat’em bad!” Ross’ death comes in a year that saw the passing of another Lipscomb legend; former high school football coach Glenn McCadams passed away in March. Nashvillians will remember Ross for various reasons. Some may mention having received one of Ross’ infamous phone calls, possibly asking for a game’s score or the next day’s weather. Some may recall humorous encounters with the Bisons fan, with many stories likely ending with a rubbing of Ross’ noted Bison belt buckle. Former Lipscomb Academy head basketball coach and current Nashville Christian head coach Mike McPherson added to the memories of humorous phone messages, recounting a rather lengthy message Ross had left him. “He called and left me a voicemail one time, and at the end of the message, he started going through every sports team on campus,” McPherson said. “He said, ‘Go Mustangs, go Lady Mustangs, go Mustang soccer.” He then went on and started naming every team on the college campus. The voicemail last about 10 minutes of Chuck saying go every team on campus.” McPherson remembers Ross as a great motivator of teams, having brought...

Lumination Newscast, April 11, 2013

In this semester’s twelfth installment of Lumination News, Kage Sanderson and Joe Sanderson are behind the news desk to update you about what’s happening on campus.Brianna Langley brings you up to date with world news, and Ariel Jones gives the scoop on all things entertainment. Nicolette Carney updates you on the weather for this week and Kelly Dean lets you in on all the sports news this week. This week’s newscast features information about Scott Sanderson’s resignation as head coach of the men’s basketball team, a look at how the Lipscomb community is helping Dr. Jim Thomas after his home was consumed in a fire, insight into the 50th anniversary of Singarama, information about this year’s live SGA debate, a look into last week’s talent show and interviews with students about how much flex money they have left on their cards. We take a closer look at the dedication of the Bison Square Fountain, the new women’s Unspoken chapel, this year’s service day and how the way you dress can effect how you do in classes. This week’s newscast also features our weekly Nashville Spotlight and Tweets of the Week. Be sure to stay tuned for future newscasts published every Friday here on...

Scott Sanderson resigns as head coach of men’s basketball team after 14 seasons

After 14 seasons, Scott Sanderson has resigned as the head coach of the men’s basketball team to pursue other career opportunities, according to an announcement from the university this afternoon. “Scott has been a key part of Lipscomb athletics and its transition to NCAA Division I for more than 14 years,” university Athletic Director Philip Hutcheson said in a press release from the university. “I know him to be a man of fine character who is committed to the game,” Hutcheson said. “We have worked with Scott though many conversations recently as he has come to this decision. The university is committed to being helpful and generous as Scott and his family makes this transition. We wish him every success.” In a prepared statement, Sanderson thanked the university for his time with the team, wishing the program well as they move forward. “I would like to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to Lipscomb University for the wonderful 14 years my family and I have experienced here,” Sanderson said. “After much consideration, I believe it is time for me and the university to go in different directions. I do believe we have made positive strides in guiding the program from NAIA to NCAA Division I competition. “I would like to thank my current and former players, my coaching staff—both past and present—the administration, our board of trustees and our president, Dr. Randy Lowry. I wish Lipscomb University much success in all its future endeavors.” During his time as the coach of the Bisons, Sanderson’s teams had a 222-201 overall record. The Bisons also were the Atlantic Sun regular season...
Shaun Senters shows pride in coaching at alma mater

Shaun Senters shows pride in coaching at alma mater

Men’s basketball assistant coach Shaun Senters is more than just a coach. He’s a true Bison at heart. Senters, a Knoxville native, played point guard for the Bisons from 1994-1998 under former head coach Don Meyer. During his four years with the Bisons, they compiled a record of 119-27, participated in three NAIA National Tournaments, won the TransSouth Conference Tournament and advanced to the NAIA Final Four during the 1995-96 season.“There were a lot of guys that were more talented than me at the university,” Senters said. “But my job was to bring energy, be passionate, and basically have passion to play the game of basketball.” Senters knew his role was to help the team succeed by bringing passion and energy to the court. “Being a role player is not the easiest thing,” Senters said. “You have to bring energy and you have to do the dirty jobs.” Senters graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. He spent a year coaching with Meyer as a graduate assistant where he got his inspiration to start his coaching career. “I think a lot of coaches have looked up to Coach Meyer, and it was because of him that I coach today,” Senters said. After his one year as a graduate assistant, he landed an assistant’s position at Shorter College in Rome, Ga., for the 1999-2000 season. Back at Lipscomb, the Bisons were making their transition to become a Division 1 NCAA program for the first time in history. New head coach of the Bisons Scott Sanderson needed a coaching staff, and Senters made the cut. Ever...

Men’s basketball promotes brotherhood for upcoming season

With “brotherhood” as their mantra, the fresh crop of Lipscomb Bisons focuses on getting to know each other while tuning up for the historic Battle of the Boulevard rivalry Nov. 9. “That’s a pretty big game,” sophomore forward Martin Smith said. “It’s the first game of the season, and everyone is really looking forward to that–getting hype–and we’ll be ready for it.” The 6:30 p.m. Nov. 9 tipoff at Allen Arena will begin the game that is for the first time a non-conference matchup.  Belmont left the Atlantic Sun this past year to join the Ohio Valley Conference. Nine new players have joined the squad, and coach Scott Sanderson said he knows that the focus of practices will be coming together internally as one group of players. “Right now we are more focused on what we’re doing,” he said, adding that what concerns him most is “our day-to-day process, our day-to-day work ethic, you know, how we are paying attention to detail and getting ourselves better individually to help our team get better.” Key additions to the team are: junior Khion Sankey from Stockton, Calif.; freshman John Ross Glover from Jackson, Tenn.; junior Oscar Garcia from El Paso, Texas; freshman J. J. Butler from Abingdon, Md., freshman Dylan Greene from Anaheim Hills, Calif.; and freshman Stephen Hurt from Murfreesboro, Tenn. With so many new faces, the Bisons are keying on the word “brotherhood” as their team motto. “I think when you look at our team currently, they’ve really come together as a brotherhood,” said Assistant Coach Pete Froedden. “They actually came up with that term brotherhood, and that’s something...