Vanderbilt Athletic Trainer Tom Bossung Receives Chris Patrick Award

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Tom Bossung. Photo: John Russell/Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt athletic trainer Tom Bossung received the Chris Patrick Award from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), which is given annually to the top athletic trainer in the SEC during the league’s sports medicine meetings.

Named after longtime Mississippi State and Florida athletic trainer Chris Patrick, the recipient must possess the qualities emulating the characteristics of the professional for which the award is named. These qualities include: going above and beyond for the institution and team they work with; a tireless work ethic; loyalty to the institution’s athletic department and athletic training staff’s mission; a passion for the profession and the service of the student-athlete; a caring personality in the healthcare delivery they are responsible for; being a strong advocate for the student-athlete; and playing an active role in one or more of the professional associations they are a member of.

Bossung currently serves as Assistant Athletic Director for sports medicine, following over two decades as Vanderbilt’s Lead Athletic Trainer for football. A graduate of Indiana State, he first came to Vanderbilt in 1990 as a graduate assistant, earning a Master’s degree in health promotion and exercise science. After brief stints with the Lipscomb Sports Therapy Center and as Tennessee State’s Head Athletic Trainer, he returned to Vandy in 1995.

He spent four years as the Lead Athletic Trainer for the men’s basketball program before moving to football in 1999. Bossung was President of the SEC Sports Medicine Committee from 2006-2008 and has served as an ATC medical staffer for the NFL since 2015.

Western Illinois University Joining The OVC In 2023-2024 Academic Year

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Western Illinois University (WIU) has accepted an invitation to join the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). Western Illinois, which sponsors 17 of the OVC’s championship sports, will become official members on July 1.

WIU’s football team, which currently competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC), will play one final season in the MVFC and join the OVC prior to the 2024 season.

“We are delighted Western Illinois has decided to join the OVC,” says OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche. “The WIU athletics programs have long competed against OVC institutions given the similarity of programs and geographic proximity. Accordingly, there is a high-level of comfort and excitement about the Leathernecks becoming part of the OVC community. We cannot wait to extend a warm welcome to WIU’s student-athletes, coaches, administrators and fans.”

Western Illinois will join the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Eastern Illinois University, Lindenwood University, Morehead State University, Southeast Missouri State University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, University of Southern Indiana, Tennessee State University, Tennessee Technological University and the University of Tennessee at Martin as OVC full member institutions.

“This is going to be an excellent new endeavor for Western Illinois University,” says WIU President Dr. Guiyou Huang. “We are excited to join our peers of similar size and communities, and we look forward to great competition.”

Western Illinois, which is located in Macomb, Illinois, marks only the 25th full-time member in the 75-year history of the Ohio Valley Conference.

“This represents a new start, and a new era for Leatherneck Athletics against some old rivalries as well as some new teams in our geographic footprint,” says Western Illinois Director of Athletics Paul A. Bubb. “When you look at the schools in the Ohio Valley Conference you see schools which are similar in enrollment, the size of communities where they exist, the academic programs they offer and the athletic budgets each has to work with at the Division I level.”

Vanderbilt Athletics & 102.5 The Game Announce Multi-Year Broadcasting Deal

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Vanderbilt Athletics and Cromwell Media have announced that they will enter a new multi-year partnership at the start of the 2023-2024 academic year.

“Vanderbilt Athletics looks forward to building on our strong relationship with Cromwell Media,” says Candice Lee, Vanderbilt Vice Chancellor, Athletics & University Affairs & Athletic Director. “We’re excited to partner with the proven voice of Nashville sports talk radio, and are committed to reaching as many supporters as possible in the community we call home.”

102.5 The Game will be the primary flagship station for all Commodore football, men’s basketball and baseball games—along with the Commodore Hour, Vanderbilt’s weekly radio show—with those contests simulcast on 106.3 FM as well. When conflicts arise due to the Nashville Predators’ schedule, those program’s broadcasts are set to air on 94.9 FM, which will also serve as the home for Vandy women’s basketball.

“We couldn’t be more excited about our newly expanded relationship with Vanderbilt Athletics,” says Bud Walters, Cromwell Media President. “For the last three years we’ve been their proud broadcast partner for football and men’s basketball. The addition of baseball and women’s basketball now provides generations of Vandy fans and alumni the ability to hear all the games and coaches shows all under one roof. This is historic at every level and we can’t wait to get started!”

Vandy’s first game broadcast on 102.5 The Game will be on Aug. 26 when Commodore football hosts Hawaii.

College Corner: Vanderbilt’s Celia-Belle Mohr, MTSU’s Dean Hayes, Lipscomb Basketball

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Vanderbilt Tennis Standout Celia-Belle Mohr Earns Berth In NCAA Championship

Celia-Belle Mohr. Photo: Courtesy of Vanderbilt Athletics

Sophomore Celia-Belle Mohr will represent Vanderbilt women’s tennis at the NCAA Singles Championships for the first time in her career.

The Montargis, France, native is a First Team All-SEC honoree and has amassed 28 singles victories overall this season, including 10 over nationally ranked opponents. Additionally, she has won seven of her last 10 matches, even recording a win over the No. 2 player in the country.

Throughout the season, Mohr maintained her position as a top singles player, currently sitting at No. 30 in the nation. The No. 29 Vanderbilt women’s tennis team fell to No. 10 Ohio State University 4-2 this weekend, ending their NCAA tournament run.

The championships are scheduled for May 22-27 at the USTA National Campus.

 

 

 

MTSU’s Legend Dean Hayes Named To The OVC Hall Of Fame

Legendary Middle Tennessee Track & Field Head Coach Dean Hayes will be inducted posthumously into the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Hall of Fame on Friday, June 2 in Nashville. Hayes will be inducted with former UT Martin Men’s Golf Head Coach Jerry Carpenter and former SIUE Women’s Softball Head Coach and Administrator Sandy Montgomery.

Hayes, who passed away in January 2022, was revered locally, regionally, nationally and internationally as he promoted track & field around the globe.  He took over as Head Coach at Middle Tennessee in 1965 and turned the program into a juggernaut, serving as Head Coach for 56 years.

During his tenure in the OVC, he led MTSU to 29 OVC titles, more than any other OVC member in conference history. Hayes coached Blue Raider athletes to 374 individual or relay championships, had 28 individuals earn All-American status a total of 53 times and led MTSU to 15 NCAA Top 25 finishes. Additionally, he had athletes earn six individual National Championships. He was named OVC Coach of the Year 15 times, including 10 in a row from 1977-1986. He was also named USTFCCA NCAA Division I Coach of the Year in 1981 and served as President of the association in 1982 and 1983.

Hayes saw nine of his OVC-era athletes compete in the Olympics and had numerous athletes compete in the Goodwill Games, the World University Games, the World Cup, the World Championship, the Pan-Am Games and the African Championships.

He was also credited with integrating MTSU Athletics, with Jerry Singleton becoming the first African American Varsity Scholarship Athlete at the school in 1965. He is already a member of the USTFCCA Hall of Fame, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, the Illinois Sports of Hall of Fame, the MTSU Blue Raider Hall of Fame, the Lake Forest College (his alma mater) Hall of Fame and the Naperville High School Hall of Fame. Hayes is also the namesake of  the outdoor track stadium at MTSU.

The induction will take place at the Hilton Franklin Cool Springs during the annual OVC Honors Brunch.

 

 

 

Lipscomb Men’s Basketball Adds To Coaching Staff

Photo: Courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics

Lipscomb University men’s basketball Head Coach Lennie Acuff has announced the addition of Vince Martin as Assistant Coach and Will Acuff as Director of Operations.

Martin comes to Lipscomb after a stint as an assistant coach at ETSU. This past season at ETSU, the Bucs secured 12 victories with seven wins at home. Before ETSU, Martin spent three seasons at fellow ASUN institution, Jacksonville University. While with the Dolphins during the 2021-22 season, Jacksonville garnered their largest number of wins since the 1985-1986 and 1970-1971 seasons. In addition, Jacksonville was a perfect 15-0 at home. Martin worked with the guards and forwards, and developed multiple players who have earned all-league honors, including Kevion Nolan, Dontarius James and Destin Barnes.

“We are extremely fortunate to add Coach Vince Martin to our coaching staff. He has experienced success in the ASUN as both a player and highly respected assistant coach,” says Acuff.  “He is a proven recruiter throughout the southeast and has earned the reputation as an elite player development coach. As we went through the hiring process, it became obvious that Vince would be a tremendous fit at Lipscomb University and would add significant value to our basketball program. His character, integrity and ability to get things done allow us to continue to improve. I look forward to working with and learning from him on a daily basis.”

Prior to his time at Jacksonville, Martin was the Head Coach at Bishop Snyder High School in Florida for three years. While at Bishop Snyder, Martin developed some of the top talent in the state of Florida, including Corey Walker Jr., former five-star and University of Tennessee signee. Martin also worked with the Atlanta-based Game Elite AAU program where he coached multiple top prospects in the nation, including former four-star athletes Walker Kessler and Ernest Ross.

Will Acuff returns to Lipscomb after serving as a Graduate Assistant Coach with the Bisons during the 2021-2022 season, during which he assisted in all aspects of the basketball program with an emphasis in player development and day to day operations. In Acuff’s season with the Bisons, Lipscomb notched 14 wins and advanced to the Quarterfinals of the ASUN Championship.

After his season with Lipscomb, he served as the Head Coach at Randolph School in Huntsville, Alabama, where his 2022-2023 boys team doubled their win total from the previous season.

Vandy United Reaches Initial $300 Million Fundraising Goal

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Vandy United rendering

The ongoing Vandy United campaign has achieved its initial $300 million fundraising goal. This first phase represents the largest campaign in the history of Vanderbilt Athletics and ushers in a new era of historic investment in student-athletes and the athletic experience.

“I’m so grateful to Commodore Nation for giving us the opportunity to begin a new chapter of the Vandy United story through the university’s Dare to Grow campaign,” says Candice Lee, Vice Chancellor, Athletics & University Affairs and Athletic Director. “Two years ago, we asked for our community’s trust. We asked alumni and supporters to trust a vision for the future—a vision not just of new facilities but of hope, optimism and what is possible for Vanderbilt Athletics. Commodore Nation willingly extended us that faith.

“Thanks to the generosity of so many, we reached the campaign’s bold initial goal. Now it’s time to double down. As the university launches the comprehensive and transformational Dare to Grow campaign, I’m excited for Athletics to keep leading the way. Even as we see the future begin to take shape around us, the next chapter of Vandy United only strengthens our commitment to creating the best student-athlete and fan experience in college sports.”

An integral part of Vanderbilt’s recently launched $3.2 billion Dare to Grow campaign, the largest in the university’s 150-year history, Vandy United’s next phase looks to build on its foundation with more facilities and operational enhancements. These include a major announcement coming soon about enhancements to Hawkins Field, home of Coach Tim Corbin’s two-time National Champion Vandy Boys.

“Vandy United’s successful first phase illustrated what is possible when our global Vanderbilt community joins together in common purpose, and I look forward to the next chapter as we come together to reach the goals of our Dare to Grow campaign,” says Chancellor Daniel Diermeier. “As we witnessed most recently when our bowling team won the National Championship for the third time, athletics and the pursuit of competitive excellence has a rare ability to unite and inspire communities. By fostering this spirit of One Vanderbilt, bringing together the best and brightest to make each other better, Vandy United and the Dare to Grow campaign empower our student-athletes and university to rise to the challenges of a new century.”

Launched a little more than two years ago with an initial $100 million commitment from the university and a $10 million lead gift from Board of Trust member John R. Ingram (MBA’86), Vandy United is a transformational pledge to the student-athlete and fan experiences. Further fueled by historic giving from alumni and supporters across the Vanderbilt community, the largest undertaking of its kind in Vanderbilt Athletics’ history is rapidly transforming the Athletics footprint—including the dedication of the Frist Athletics Village to honor the support of Board of Trust member Jennifer R. Frist (BS’93) and William R. (Billy) Frist.

Work has already begun on multiple cornerstone Vandy United projects including the Basketball Operations Center and North End Zone at FirstBank Stadium,  South End Zone at FirstBank Stadium, Football Operations and McGugin Center, and an indoor football practice facility.

Launched as Vanderbilt begins the year-long celebration of the 150th anniversary of its founding, the Dare to Grow campaign is designed to drive bold new levels of growth and to shape the next 150 years. Vandy United’s next phase represents a pillar of one of the Dare to Grow campaign’s three principal pathways for giving: One Vanderbilt. Rooted deeply in the university mission, the idea of One Vanderbilt holds that through radical collaboration, every corner of campus comes together to make each other better.

The Dare to Grow phase of Vandy United reflects Athletics’ unique ability to unite the community, while also providing student-athletes with the tools and experiences to grow. Vanderbilt supporters kicked off the new phase with gifts to Athletics totaling over seven million dollars on Giving Day, more than doubling any other school or area during a hugely successful day across the university.

Investments in the new phase of Vandy United include:

Vanderbilt Legends Club: Former Vanderbilt student-athletes and Hall of Fame inductees Toby Wilt (BE’66), Brandt Snedeker (BA’03) and Lew Conner (BA’60, JD’63), along with their wives, Lucianne Wilt, Mandy Snedeker (BA’02) and Ashley Conner (BA’60), made seed gifts with the goal of inspiring and facilitating gifts from other alumni and supporters. Work is underway on enhancements to team facilities that reimagine the future of Vanderbilt golf and reaffirm Vanderbilt’s long-standing commitment to the home that has helped Commodores grow into SEC and NCAA Champions.

Lummis Family Tennis Center: Fred and Claudia Lummis, both BA’76, and their sons—Fred III, Dan (BA’05) and Ben (BA’08)—have made the lead gift with the goal of inspiring and facilitating gifts from other alumni and donors to champion state-of-the-art tennis facilities to benefit both the Vanderbilt and greater Nashville communities.

Volleyball’s return: Enabled by Vandy United, Vanderbilt’s 17th varsity sport of volleyball will begin competition in the 2025–2026 academic year. Under the direction of Head Coach Anders Nelson, one of the fastest-growing youth sports in Tennessee will return to Vanderbilt for the first time since the 1979–80 season.

Vanderbilt invites supporters to stay tuned for additional announcements about the Dare to Grow phase of Vandy United, including a major baseball announcement later this spring.

Belmont’s Ben Sheppard Invited To 2023 NBA Combine

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Ben Sheppard. Photo: Sam Simpkins

Belmont University men’s basketball student-athlete Ben Sheppard has been invited to the 2023 NBA Combine.

Sheppard added to his reputation as one of the most complete players in college basketball as he became a finalist for the Lou Henson National Player of the Year honor and posted 29 double figure scoring games, including 12 games with 20 or more points.

In addition to being the first player in the conference named Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Player of the Week three times this season, he was the only player named All-MVC First Team and MVC All-Defensive Team.

Named to the Paradise Jam All-Tournament Team, Sheppard ranked among conference leaders in 16 statistical categories, including second in field goals made, third in total points and points per game and fourth in 3-point field goals made.

The Atlanta, Georgia native stood among select company in college basketball of players with at least 1,500 points, 450 rebounds, 200 assists and 100 steals.

A two-time First Team All-Conference and NABC All-District selection, Sheppard joined program legends Ian Clark and Kerron Johnson to earn First Team All-Conference honors in consecutive seasons in two different conferences. He also joined NBA Champion Clark, Cleveland Cavalier guard Dylan Windler and J.J. Mann as the only Belmont players of the NCAA Division I era to score 600 or more points in a season, was a runner-up for the Larry Bird Trophy – given to the MVC Player of Year.

The 2023 NBA Combine will take place May 15-21 in Chicago, Illinois. Live coverage of the 2023 NBA Combine will be on the ESPN family of networks and NBA TV.

Belmont Men’s Tennis Captures League Championship With 4-1 Win Over Tennessee Tech

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Belmont Men’s Tennis Team. Photo: Courtesy of Belmont Athletics

For the second time in three seasons, the Belmont University men’s tennis team is headed to the NCAA Championship after winning their first-ever Horizon League Championship, defeating rival Tennessee Tech 4-1 in the 2023 title match Sunday afternoon (April 30) indoors at the Varsity Tennis Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

For the second consecutive day, junior Tomas Luis provided the clinching point in a three-set match at No. 3 singles.

After winning the doubles point in their earlier two meetings with the second-seeded South Division Golden Eagles (9-14, 7-2 Horizon), Belmont was forced to overcome a 1-0 deficit following doubles action. However, the Bruins (21-5, 10-0 Horizon) were resilient in singles play as Belmont’s depth proved to be pivotal. Belmont took all four of the No. 3-6 singles matches, including three straight-set triumphs at the fourth, fifth and sixth spots.

With both head coaches and the league agreeing to play indoors due to chilly temperatures and the threat of precipitation later, the Bruins quickly found themselves battling an inspired Tennessee Tech squad. The Golden Eagles capitalized early and got breaks on all three doubles courts. Belmont would stabilize things in all three matches, but Tennessee Tech escaped at the second position where Evzen Holis and Pol Masafret topped junior Alfred Wallin and senior Jack Randall 6-4.

At No. 3 doubles, Luis and sophomore Ian Cruz came back against the Golden Eagles’ Paulo Ramos Martin and Jaime Paquet to force a tiebreaker after facing two match points at 5-2. Despite Luis and Cruz’ efforts, the Bruins’ nationally-ranked duo was upset at the top spot. Snapping graduate student Marko Ilic and junior Riccardo Trione’s 12-match win streak and handing the pair only their second loss of the season, Tennessee Tech’s Elias Grubert and Mika Berghaus came back from 5-4 and clinched the doubles point at 7-5. With all the momentum in their doubles contest, Luis and Cruz led 5-1 in the tiebreak when the Golden Eagles secured the crucial doubles point.

Although both Luis and Cruz won their opening singles sets in bagel fashion, 6-0, it was Trione who evened the afternoon at 1-1 with a convincing 6-4, 6-2 victory over Masafret at the fifth flight. Down set point at deuce at 5-2 in the second set, Cruz rattled off five-straight games to defeat Ramos Martin 6-0, 7-5 at the fourth position. Randall then gave Belmont a 3-1 lead with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Paquet at No. 6 singles.

Taking on Holis at the third position, Luis fell 6-1 in the second set after his dominant first set. In the decisive third, Luis was determined and found himself with championship point at 5-3, 30-40 and Holis serving. Luis took a second serve and ripped it inside-out to win the title

The championship is the Bruins’ third conference tournament title after winning the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Championship in 2021 and the ASUN Conference Championship in 2006.

Belmont will make their third NCAA Championship appearance next weekend after earning the Horizon League’s automatic bid.

Extending their single-season record for match victories to 21, the Bruins have now won 14 in a row.

Belmont will learn their NCAA first-round location and opponent with the 2023 NCAA Men’s Tennis Championship selection show on Monday at 5:30 p.m. CT, which will be broadcast live on NCAA.com. The first and second rounds of the 64-team NCAA Championship will be played at campus sights Friday-Sunday, May 5-7.

Anthony Wilkins Named Vanderbilt Basketball Assistant Coach

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Photo: Courtesy of Vanderbilt Athletics

Vanderbilt men’s basketball Head Coach Jerry Stackhouse has announced the hiring of Anthony Wilkins as an assistant coach. A native of Atlanta, Wilkins spent the last five seasons at Georgia Tech, four as an assistant coach before one as the Associate Head Coach.

“We are thrilled to add Anthony Wilkins to our Vanderbilt coaching staff,” says Stackhouse. “He is an experienced teacher, recruiter and mentor who has proven experience at the highest levels of college basketball. My relationship with Anthony dates back to my playing days and I’ve enjoyed watching his growth into an outstanding coach. We are excited to welcome Anthony to our program and believe in his ability to impact in all facets of our program.”

At Georgia Tech, Wilkins made major contributions in player and skill development – aiding in the on-court growth of future NBA players Jose Alvarado and Moses Wright. He helped lead the Yellow Jackets to the 2021 ACC Tournament Championship as well as a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

He was also one of a select group of assistant coaches invited to attend the Collegiate Coaching Consortium at the 2022 Final Four, during which the National Association of Basketball Coaches & Athletic Directors bring together a group of coaches and a group of Division I athletic directors in a two-day exercise in professional development and identifying top talent.

“Vanderbilt is a proud and accomplished community, whose values and integrity are the gold standard in academics and athletics,” says Wilkins. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to support Coach Stackhouse, his leadership and demand of excellence sets an inspiring tone. I’m excited to contribute. Anchor Down.”

Prior to arriving at Georgia Tech, Wilkins spent five seasons on staff at Tulane working under former Vandy Associate Head Coach Ed Conroy as well as Mike Dunleavy Sr. He served as Director of Basketball Operations for one season before four seasons as an assistant coach for the Green Wave.

He began his collegiate coaching career as the Director of Player Development at his alma mater Kent State, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications, in 2012-2013. As a player, Wilkins played professional basketball for six years in Sweden, Ukraine, Mexico and South Korea. He also played in the NBA’s Development League (now G League) for Fort Worth and Tulsa (2005-2006) and Bakersfield (2007-2008). Additionally, Wilkins participated in the Atlanta Hawks Vet Camp in 2005 and played on the organization’s summer league team in 2006.