Lipscomb to host A-Sun Baseball Tournament in 2010, 2011
Lipscomb Athletics |
The Atlantic Sun Conference has awarded the 2010 and 2011 baseball tournaments to Lipscomb University.
The 2010 tournament is scheduled for May 26-29 at Ken Dugan Field at Stephen L. Marsh Stadium. The 2011 tournament is planned for May 24-28.
For the last eight years the tournament has been held at Stetson University in DeLand, Fla. Stetson submitted a bid to retain the rights to host the tournament. Also submitting bids were Kennesaw State and Florida Gulf Coast.
Philip Hutcheson, Lipscomb’s director of athletics, made the official announcement Wednesday at a lunch to honor Lipscomb pitcher Rex Brothers, the 34th pick in the Major League First Year Player Draft.
Hutcheson commended the athletics department staff, the volunteers and fans for their work during the Atlantic Sun men’s and women’s basketball tournaments the last two years at Lipscomb’s Allen Arena.
“We have top-notch people here,” said Hutcheson. “When we host an event we take it personally."
Due to several teams still making the transition to NCAA Division I, only six teams will be eligible for the tournament in 2010. Lipscomb's bid was the only one from a city with two A-Sun teams. Belmont is a short drive down the boulevard from Lipscomb. East Tennessee State is also within easy driving range as well as Kennesaw State and Mercer.
“We also have a top-notch field,” said Hutcheson. “Coach Dugan put the money in the field. That was really smart of him to do that.” Hutcheson said he was hopeful that hosting the event might make it easier for the Bisons to return to the NCAA Tournament.
“Hosting the tournament for the next two years is going to be very important for Bisons baseball,” said Hutcheson. “We are all looking forward to it.”