Monday, March 31, 2008

April 6th Offering for Union University

The Tennessee Baptist Convention's new president, Tom McCoy, has called for an offering to be collected April 6th across the convention to support Union University's re-building programs. In Tom's matter-of-fact, personal touch, way isn't asking churches to spend a whole Sunday on the subject, but enough time to inform congregations and to pass the plate. The Jackson Sun and NewsChannel5.com covered this story as well last week.

James Porch, the TBC Executive Director, outlines some of progress that has already happened since the February 5, 2008 tornado.

If you are not a member of a Baptist church and wish to help in the re-building process, I encourage you to do so (securely) online.

Belmont University, though not affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, set up a special web site, held a benefit concert, sent student volunteers to assist in the clean-up, and delivered a $100,000 check from the university's trustees to help. Thank You, Belmont!

Thursday, March 27, 2008

How About Them Belmont Bruins

I watched in amazement as the Belmont Bruins gained "Significant Respect".

Monday, March 10, 2008

Does Basketball Really Need this Sort of Madness

A Belmont University friend of mine made sure that I had tickets to this year's Atlantic Sun basketball tournament. I made it to several games and discovered a lot of great basketball, mid-major style. I also discovered something that I think this set of mid-majors can do without.

Fans at Lipscomb University and Belmont University do not like each other, at least during athletic competitions. I suppose that distaste and disdain goes along with the intensity of the rivalry. What should not go along with that distaste are uncreative cheers that constantly include the word "SUCK". I have heard the same trash-talk-potty-mouth shenanigans at professional hockey and find it equally distasteful, but the students at Lipscomb and Belmont are far more creative to stoop to this level of debasement.

I have heard the story several times about the Belmont vs. Georgetown game in the opening round of the 2007 NCAA basketball tournament. The Georgetown fans began chanting, "Where is Bel-mont"...in response, the Belmont students (and ultimately the entire arena) responded with a chant of "What's a Ho-ya". Even the Georgetown fans got a kick out of the response...it was fun to see and to hear. I would challenge both schools to focus that amazing volume of creative energy into high-spirited, creative, competitive cheering/jeering. To turn a Tom Hanks line from A League of Their Own...there is no 'suck' in basketball.