by Erika Thornsberry | Dec 9, 2013 | Uncategorized
1, 2, 3. That’s the countdown all babies hear as their parents stand them up and let go of them for the first time to start walking. For Jessie Jerkins, the countdown was not for the same reason as most small toddlers. Jerkins first heard this as her parents let her ride her first horse. Jerkins is a junior studying geriatric social work and minoring in psychology. When she’s not busy doing school work, you can find her at home taking care of her 24 horses. For as long as she can remember, horses have always been a part of her life. “I have been taking care of horses and riding horses since I was born,” Jerkins said. “My grandfather Gigi owned draft horses, and it just started from there with my family and horses. My mom and dad said my sister and I were riding before we were walking. So I have been riding horses for 21 years.” With school work and commuting, life can get pretty stressful for just about anyone. For Jerkins, stress is something she knows how to deal with. With help from her horses, she is always ready to face the next thing life throws her way. “My favorite part about having horses is how calming they are,” Jerkins said. “I go out any time I am stressed out, and they will just let me ride them or sit next to them. It’s more calming than most people think. “There is nothing better than having a horse give you a big old kiss when you are stressed out.” Jerkins also noted a horse’s ability to...
by Hunter Patterson | Jan 27, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
The Battle of the Boulevard. A rivalry often defined by distance, integrity, fierce competitiveness and respect. The schools set just two miles apart on the same boulevard. In all of the NCAA, there are not two schools that sit closer to one another. The game itself has the ability to bring out the best in any player, coach or team. Ever since the McQuiddy gym days, fans have had an extreme impact on the outcome of games. The Battle, while it is only two halves at a time, seems like a war. It’s a war on the court between the players. Ten men at a time, battling not only for a boulevard, but for every inch of the court, every loose ball and every ounce of pride that one may have after a win against that “team down the road.” Lipscomb and Belmont have played 129 times leading up to the February third matchup in Allen Arena on Don Meyer court. While Lipscomb holds the lead in the series 73-56, the two are tied since both schools have gone to the NCAA. Twenty-four of those 73 wins were in the 1980s with the likes of Phil Hutcheson and John Pierce on the team. During that span, Belmont won only six games. However, in the 50s, 60s and 70s, Belmont had the better record. Over the next week, the Battle of the Boulevard will be highlighted with articles dating back from 1960 to 2011. The wins, the losses, the heartbreak, the revelry, and the rivalry. “Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings...
