Top 10 Sports Moments of Spring 2008

It has been a thrilling semester for the Flames and Lady Flames. Big wins, record-breaking performances, national awards, and the list goes on. In looking over the course of spring 2008, I chose the top ten moments for Lee Athletics. Some of these you may remember and some you may not even know happened. Here they are:

10. Chris Warter’s game winning home run against Southern Poly. This probably fits under the category of moments not as well known. However, on March 16, in the midst of the biggest series of the season, with Lee behind by one, Warters hit a home run that the outfielders did not even chase; they stood in place watching. The home run put the Flames ahead and they remain at the top of the SSAC today.

9. Coach Rowe wins third SSAC Coach of the Year. Showing the quality and consistency of his coaching, women’s basketball coach Marty Rowe was rewarded as Conference Coach of the Year for the third consecutive season.

8. Brad Harris hits 10 3-pointers in one game. It was a record held by several Flames over the course of several years, 9 3-point baskets in game. Harris passed them all February 18 against Carver College when he nailed 10 3-pointers in the Flames 107-71 win.

7. 2007-2008 Lady Flames basketball’s record-breaking season. The Lady Flames basketball team broke two major records this season. Previously, the team record for most consecutive wins was 15. This year’s squad far surpassed that mark, winning 27 games in a row, on their way to a team record 32 wins in a single season.

6. Coach Brown wins national honors. Men’s basketball coach Tommy Brown was given the Conference Coach of the Year award this season. This was just the beginning, however, because on March 25 Coach Brown received the Victory Sports NAIA Division I Men’s Coach of the Year award.
5. Lee Men’s Basketball team advances in NAIA National Tournament. The 2007-2008 Flames finished one of the most successful seasons in school history by tying the best finish in school history, heading to the Elite Eight before falling to eventual national-champion Oklahoma City University.

4. Basketball All-Americans. Brad Harris from the Flames and Jessica Still from the Lady Flames receive First Team All-American nods. Also from the Lady Flames, Jan Dodson received Second Team All-American honors and Katie Nelson was Honorable Mention All-American. Still and Dodson proved they work hard in the classroom as well, both earning NAIA Scholar-Athlete awards.

3. Lee Baseball shatters winning streak record. The 2005 Lee Flames baseball team won a record 17 consecutive games on their way to the NAIA World Series. The 2008 edition broke that record, winning 34 games in a row. The team is currently at the top of the SSAC and looking for their third trip to the World Series in 4 years.

2. Flames win over Mountain State. The Lee men went on the road to play NAIA powerhouse Mountain State University. The Cougars entered the game having won 42 consecutive games on their home floor. The Flames battled to a 73-72 win, one of the biggest wins in Lee basketball history.

1. Coach Jack Souther announces retirement. Number 1 goes to a coaching legend. After 27 years of service to Lee University and Lee Athletics, Coach Jack Souther is retiring from coaching. Souther joined Lee in 1982 and has coached women’s basketball, softball and men’s golf. Coach Souther, you will be missed.