Lippy Awards celebrate 2013-14 season for Lipscomb athletics

Student athletes and coaches filled the court of Allen Arena on Thursday night, but this time, it was not for a game. The Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted the inaugural Lippy Awards in Allen Arena to honor various members of Lipscomb University’s sports teams. The awards show was hosted by student TJ Ojehomon and women’s soccer assistant coach Chris Klotz. Both female and male athletes of the year were competitive categories, but for the female award, sophomore cross country/track and field runner Dani Walker and junior volleyball player Jewell Dobson tied. On the men’s side, track and field high-jumper Gemikal Prude, who broke the high jump record earlier in the year, won as well. Prude said that winning the award was a blessing. “Winning this is quite the blessing,” Prude said. “It’s a feeling that can’t really be described, especially when you feel as if you’re undeserving.” The biggest award of the night, the Best Team Award, went to the women’s track and field/cross country. Senior runner Lacey Printz said that the team worked hard and credited the coaches and team captains for keeping the team focused. “This is the most incredible team we’ve had, and we just love running together and just having fun and doing it for God’s glory,” Printz said. To open the night, the James R. Byers Award was presented to senior track and field sprinter Tucker Peabody, senior volleyball player Caitlin Dotson and junior cross country/track and field runner Tessa Hoefle. The award is given to a top senior athlete who displays outstanding Christian leadership and excels academically and athletically. The honors had...
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...

Track and field finds success at Vanderbilt invitational

Neither rain, wind nor cold weather can keep the Bisons from competing and succeeding. The Lipscomb Track & Field team competed in the two day Vanderbilt meet this past weekend. Vanderbilt, The Ohio State, Belmont, Austin Peay and Alabama A&M all took part in the meet. “This was the best meet we’ve had at Vanderbilt since I’ve been at Lipscomb,” Coach Bill Taylor said. “Traditionally, for some reason, we’ve struggled for the most part at this meet.” Setting the stage on Friday was Dani Walker winning the Invitational 1500 meters and setting a new school record with a record time of 4:21.34. Right behind her was Madi Talbert, who moved to No. 3 on Lipscomb’s all-time list. Ki’Ana Christy has really been excelling during this outdoor season. She has broken her jumping record for the second week in a row by jumping 11.36 meters. Setting her own personal record was Jazmyne McGill. She threw 38.09 meters in the hammer and in shot recorded 11.38 meters. Del McSpadden also found success in the hammer throw with a throw of 39.08 meters. Tucker Peabody found himself on the podium winning second place in the 200 meters with a 21.03 time. Peabody also came in second in the 100 meters crossing the finish line with a time of 10.55 “It’s very challenging to do the events in bad weather,” junior April Terry said. “In the rain it’s so easy to fall and slip. During your events, you have to have confidence, and you must trust yourself.” Confidence and trust are something the team proved they all possess throughout this meet. D.A. Lowery...

Lent practices overflow to multiple faiths

Ash Wednesday starts the Lenten season for Roman Catholics and Holy Thursday (Thursday before Easter) ends it. Although a primarily Church of Christ school, Lipscomb is seeing more and more students participate in Lenten sacrifices. Typically Lent is a season of preparation, fasting, self-denial and sacrificing to lead up to the resurrection of Christ. Someone may give something up or add something to his or her daily routine to be sure Jesus is the center of his or her life. Senior and practicing Catholic Tucker Peabody says he appreciates it when other faiths participate in Lent. “I feel as if it doesn’t matter what faith you come from in order to participate in Lent, and I think it shouldn’t have a different meaning either,” Peabody said. “In the end, Lent is a time to be aware of the sacrifices Jesus made for us and for us to try to strengthen our faith and become closer to Him.” Senior Megan Stout who is also a practicing Catholic agrees saying, “It makes me kind of proud to be a Catholic when others decide to join. I think Lent can mean the same to anyone; Jesus sacrificed for us on Earth so why not attempt to better ourselves as humans too?” Other students who have grown up Church of Christ have seen themselves begin to participate in Lent almost every year. Senior Kelsey Reiman says she started giving things up for Lent when she was in high school even though she grew up Church of Christ. “I think sacrificing something for the sake of Christ is an important discipline for any Christian...

The Postgame – Feb. 27: Your week in Nashville sports

The Lady Bisons softball team are off to a quick start, track and field finishes strong in the A-Sun championships, a top ranked team makes a stop in Music city and teams prepare for conference championships on the hardwood in this week’s Nashville sports.Lipscomb Softball: The Lady Bisons are off to a strong start in their season. They’ve posted a 12-2 record while defeating teams like Virginia Tech and Baylor. They’ve received votes in ESPN.com/USA’s Top 25 poll and are quickly on their way to a successful season. The team will play Belmont away today at 3:45 p.m. Lipscomb Track and Field: Dani Walker continued her success into the A-Sun indoor conference championships, winning three events and claiming the A-Sun Championship Most Valuable Player award. Madi Talbert finished second behind Walker in the 3000 meter, helping the women’s team score fifth place.Tucker Peabody repeated as 200 meter dash champion as the men’s team finished in third place. The outdoor track and field season will start on March 15 at Rhodes Opens in Memphis, Tenn. Belmont Men’s Basketball: The Bruins are on a five game winning streak after defeating SIU Edwardsville on the road Wednesday night. Senior J.J. Mann along with junior Reece Chamberlain and sophomore Craig Bradshaw have led Belmont to a 22-8 record and first place in the OVC standings this season. Their final game of the regular season is at Jacksonville State on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball: It’s a lot of pressure to take on the number one team in the nation, but historically Vanderbilt has stood up to the challenge. However, in Tuesday night’s match up against Florida, it just wasn’t in the...