Big South Travels!

Congratulations to Coach Spencer Smith and our men’s soccer team on a great win in the Big South Conference Tournament over VMI yesterday! The team returns to action at 4:00 pm this afternoon vs. Coastal Carolina. I am excited to be traveling Rock Hill, SC and tournament host Winthrop University to see this game.

Last night I drove to Liberty University to see our volleyball team take on Coastal Carolina. My travels were interesting as it had been about 10 years since I had been Lynchburg. I didn’t print out any directions since I thought I knew my way around the “Hill City.” Well, let me tell you, either I am directionally challenged or Lynchburg has changed a lot since I lasted visited. I ended up at EC Glass High School, had the scenic tour, and finally wove my way onto the LU campus and the Vines Center. Moral of the story…when in doubt always have your directions!

I enjoyed watching the Highlander volleyball team play. They are an exciting young team with only two seniors. We played hard and competed against a strong Coastal Carolina team with great enthusiasm. Even when playing from behind, our team constantly encouraged one another and cheered each other on.

The last time I saw a Highlander volleyball game, Coach Janelle Dobbins was running the show. She is in our Athletic Hall of Fame and is a first class person--one of the nicest people one will ever meet. I had Coach Dobbins for a class as a student at Radford and she is one of the finest professors I have ever had. She is a huge part of the Radford Community and she and her husband Don, were the first people I saw at the men’s basketball game Wednesday night.

I am always aware of what a small world it really is and it was evident last night at the volleyball match when I watched freshman Jessica Sullivan play. Jessica grew up in the same Dallas, Texas neighborhood where my wife and I lived the past seven years. Jessica attended Lake Highlands High School which is known throughout the state of Texas for its excellent academics and athletics. Jessica, Kiley Kent, Maggie Wagner, and Heidi Haubrich are part of an exciting freshman class that Coach Crystal Poskey has brought to RU.

I also want to congratulate junior volleyball student-athlete Melinda Clelland. Melinda is a junior from Richmond, Va. and was named to the Big South All-Academic Team. Great job Melinda…we are very proud of you on this fantastic accomplishment!

Big game for our women’s basketball team tonight. Make sure you listen at 6:00 pm as we take on Miami (OH) on the road in Oxford, Ohio. The Highlanders opened with an outstanding TCU team in Fort Worth, Texas and played very well despite not finishing on the winning end. We get to see them in action against William & Mary on Friday, November 23rd when they return to friendly confines of our Dedmon Center.

I’m off for a tour of our baseball facility and then I’m headed down I-77 to cheer for the soccer team. I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe weekend.

LET’S TOP IT IN ALL THAT WE DO!

Go Highlanders!