Month: October 2007

Office of Sports Information

Lambuth University Athletic Center

705 Lambuth Blvd.

Jackson, TN 38301

(731) 425.3231

The Office of Sports Information at Lambuth University serves the athletic department with the promotion, publicity, and information service of the University’s 18 athletic programs.

Intercollegiate programs for men include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming, and tennis. Women’s teams include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball. Coed sports include cheerleading and dance.

The Office of Sports Information is responsible for all aspects of promotion and publicity of the athletic programs and events which includes news releases and the design and maintenance of the athletic website and other promotional materials such as bumper stickers, media guides, and the like.

The Office of Sports Information also serves as the main point of contact between all media outlets and each team, coach, and player.

Media Services and Policies

Game Day Coverage– Any member of the media wishing to cover a Lambuth sporting event is asked to reserve a press credential at least 48 hours prior to the event. While last minute media visits are always welcome, prior knowledge of your arrival is very important so that we may prepare for your visit. For Football and Men’s and Women’s Basketball the Office of Sports Information will provide statistical information as soon as possible after each home contest is completed.

Interviews – All interviews with Lambuth University coaches, student athletes and staff members must be arranged through the Office of Sports Information. After any athletic event, locker rooms are without exception off limits to members of the media. Player and coach interviews, however, may be conducted outside locker room entrances or on the playing surface after the participants have had at least 10 minutes to “cool off” after the completion of the contest. If a member of the media is wishing to interview certain individuals after a home contest is completed, it is requested that the member of the media notify a member of the Sports Information Team who will arrange the interview as quickly as possible.

Photographers – Photographers are asked to stay on the home sideline and near the south end zone for football. For any events held in the Lambuth University Athletic Center, photographers are asked to stay in either end zone or on the second level of the building near the Hall of Fame Center. For all other sports, standard shooting spots may be utilized. Please see “Game Day Coverage” for information on credentials.

Practices – Practices are generally open to members of the media. Prior knowledge of attendance, however, is appreciated.

Pregame Information – Pregame information may be obtained from the Office of Sports Information when available. Media kits including pregame notes and season to date stats will be provided for Football and Men’s and Women’s Basketball. Information for other sports will be provided upon request.

Press Conferences – From time to time, it may be necessary for the Office of Sports Information to call and host an athletics related Press Conference. In the event that a Press Conference is called, all primary media outlets (mainly the Jackson, TN market) will be notified. If you wish to be notified of such events, please contact the Office of Sports Information.

Radio – Any visiting radio broadcasts must reserve their seating and phone lines at least 10 days prior to the event to be covered. While we will make every effort to help those who do not reserve their space, phone lines and seating cannot be guaranteed. Wireless internet is available for media use at any event which takes place in the Lambuth University Athletic Center.

Don Shaver, a 1962 graduate of Jackson High School and a 1966 graduate of the University of Chattanooga, was appointed by Lambuth University President Dr. R. Fred Zuker as Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Lambuth University in July 2005. Don earned his M.Ed. from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1967 and completed his coursework for a Ph.D. in Leadership and Higher Education from the University of Mississippi in 2006.

Don was inducted into the UTC Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Jackson – Madison County Sports Hall of Fame in 1999. Don was the most valuable football player at UTC in 1964; was co-captain in 1966; won the Dayle Maye award as the senior athlete with the highest scholastic average in 1966; and was a Little All-American quarterback.

Record achievements have occurred at Lambuth University during the two years of Don’s leadership including a first ever national championship in women’s basketball in 2007. LU’s volleyball team has won 20 games for two consecutive years; LU’s men’s basketball team has been ranked as high as #4 in the nation and has been invited to compete for the NAIA national championship in Kansas City for the past two years.

The LU Hall-of-Fame Center was dedicated in 2006 and is a popular site for donors and supporters of Lambuth athletics.The LU Athletic Center has undergone extensive renovations and is recognized as one of the top facilities in the south.

With acclaimed new coaches including James Parker (women’s & men’s tennis); Heather Thauer (women’s & men’s swimming); Andy Farmer (women’s & men’s golf); John Barlowe (baseball); Shannon Tanner (softball); and Simon Duffy (women’s soccer) joining veteran coaches including Vic Wallace (football); Bill Burnside (volleyball); Jimmy Carmichael (women’s & men’s cross country); Paul Conway (men’s soccer); Kevin Burton (men’s basketball) and Joe Reints (women’s basketball), LU is truly poised for accomplishment in all sports.