Lancaster Bible College Athletics

Tuesday, February 9, 2010
After having conversations everyday for the past six months about Lancaster Bible College Athletics, the boss appropriately asked why I had not written any of these thoughts or conversations for the website. Not being able to provide a very good answer, he asked that I create a blog of sorts to write down my thoughts about LBC Athletics.

This is my first year at LBC and as an outsider looking in for the past couple of years, I did not know too much about the athletic program. Before I was offered the job, I knew there were 12 sports and they were in the final year of NCAA provisional status, but that was probably the extent of my knowledge. What I have come to find are athletes and coaches who will not settle for just, "being out there." There is a fire and a passion burning within these athletes and coaches. Athletes like Carl Edwards who realize just how short a collegiate career is and has been taking games over in the past month. In his last three games, Edwards has scored 54 points, grabbed 42 rebounds and has three blocks and eight steals.

It is amazing to watch someone and know you are getting the absolute best out of them. Whether it is Drew Brees or Carl Edwards, it is special to watch. Talking with the coaching staff, it seems as though Edwards has realized that his collegiate career is winding down and he wants to push the team as far as he can. He and the other upperclassmen are teaching the sophomores, freshmen and those watching the Chargers a valuable lesson. And that lesson is to leave everything you have on the court. Whether the court is the basketball floor, your office desk or the classroom desk, we need to make sure we are striving to work hard and do the best job we can.

It is evident that there is a change happening in the athletics department. Spring sports are underway and you can already see an excitement and anticipation about the upcoming season. The baseball, men's tennis and women's lacrosse teams are vigoursly working hard to prepare for the season. They see how hard the men's and women's basketball teams work. They see the men's soccer team working out in the weight room for next season and they want to succeed just as much. The friendly-competitiveness that is taking place here is fun to watch.

While the favorable results may not always be there, they will be soon.

Sorry this first post got a little on the serious side. Most of these posts will be on the light-hearted side of things. Think of this as my LBC Athletics State-of-the-Union.

Go Chargers.


Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Paging through a recent NCAA Magazine entitled, Champion, I was reading a couple of articles that showcased the talents of student-athletes. Some of them were ranked high in their class academically, while others were excelling on the field. I began to think about the student-athletes here at Lancaster Bible College and what set them apart. Our student-athlete's are not going to be drafted in this year's NBA or MLB draft. They probably will not be waving our country's flag during an upcoming Olympic Games. They are playing sports in college, because they love sports and want to compete. Their playing days are most likely over after their four years here, minus a pick-up game or adult league.

So if our student-athletes are not planning to be professional athletes, what sets them apart from other student-athletes? It is waking up and going to chapel, it is preaching the gospel on mission trips, it is living by God's Word even when it is most difficult. Wins have been hard to come by this season for the women's basketball team. Are they frustrated? Sure they are. But there they are - sitting in chapel, working hard on the practice floor and enjoying what is left of their season. These ladies are leading by example. They are not giving up and want to get better. That is what sets our student-athlete's apart from other schools' athletes. Our athletes want to excel both on the court and off, not for themselves, but for their teammates and for God.

As the basketball season winds down, I want to take a minute to recognize the people who have helped me so much during basketball games. For all of the student workers, Taylor, Zak, Ben, Lou, and anyone I missed, you guys do a great job with the clock and shot clock. Taylor may drive me crazy and Zak may be forgetful sometimes, but you guys do good work and are a pleasure to have at the table. For the girls who keep the books during games, you make life easy and I sometimes do not even notice you're there. A special thanks to Alishia Landis. She does the work during games. She has me yelling in her left ear and keeps both eyes on the floor at all times. Her hard work and dedication to keeping stats has made my job easier and I cannot thank her enough. Finally to Bob McMichael, what a job he does. Keeping the book on the road, announcing at home games, keeping fouls and running halftime events. Of all the people who should take nights off, he is the one, but there he is at every home game. It is nice to have someone to make comments to during the game. Here's hoping that he does not leave the microphone on too long sometime.

Finally, thanks to the fans who continue to support LBC Athletics. I am not sure how many fans we have had in the past and how they have acted, but our fans have been great this season. We have tried to attract more fans this season through special events and I think it has worked. Whether it is a Saturday afternoon against a big rival, or a Monday night against a school that people have a hard time spelling, the fans are there. Usually led by Vice President Josh Beers, Lawrence Lartey and Grant Lockard, we have passionate fans who really get into the game and are big help to our teams.

Until next time...Go Chargers.


Tuesday, March 2, 2010
The Lancaster Bible College men's basketball team is headed to the NCCAA National Tournament. After watching the guys play all season, specifically the way they battled on Saturday at Valley Forge, it is kind of nice to write that last sentence. The guys, who are peaking at the exact time a basketball team would want to peak, get a chance to shock the world and win the NCCAA Division II National Tournament.

They have had their ups and downs this season. Losing five of six games after Christmas Break, before winning six of their last eight games to close the regular season. The Chargers have been led by senior Carl Edwards and junior Kevin Keltner. Whenever a big basket is needed, one of them usually has the ball. Edwards' late season surge is one of the main reasons LBC is headed to Springfield, Missouri. Keltner, ever-so consistent, has dug the Chargers out of trouble sports again and again.

Like the men's soccer team did in Florida, the basketball team has something to prove in Missouri. They are not simply going to enjoy themselves and have a good time. (It is Missouri in March, how fun can it be?) They are going to win games and to make a statement that we have arrived as an athletic force. So far this academic year, we have placed fifth in the men's soccer tournament, and third at the men's cross country tournament. LBC only has 12 athletic teams, that means that a fourth of our teams are going to participate in the National Tournament and the baseball team has yet to play a game. If you will recall, they won the NCCAA East Region last year.

Something special is going on at LBC. We have student-athletes who work hard and are good at their craft. We have fans who cheer the right way and support their team and do not disparage the opponent. We have support from the administration who cheer from the stands and cannot wait to learn the result of each game or match.

LBC is officially on the map. No longer is going to Nationals, "The icing on the cake." The teams that represent LBC on the field and on the court are their to glorify God and win in the process. Something is happening at LBC. Don't miss it.

In a big way...Go Chargers.