HobbsDailyReport.com
Lenoir-Rhyne University has added an athletic department position, hiring Allison Luthman as an assistant athletic director for creative and digital media.
In a press release, school officials said her main purpose will be to enhance the video and creative capabilities across all platforms.
LUTHMAN
She comes to LRU after serving as an on-air reporter and production assistant for WHVL-TV in State College, Penn., and she also was a contributor for SB Nation’s Swish Appeal.
Her experience also includes writing and contributing to a weekly show focused on Penn State football and being a sideline reporter for Spikes Minor League Baseball and local high school football.
“I’m extremely excited about the opportunity to be a part of the Lenoir-Rhyne family,” Luthman said in the press release. “I look forward to getting to know the community and all the exceptional LR student-athletes. There is a great story to be told at LR and I am eager to help share that message.”
Luthman will be in charge of planning, developing and administering all aspects of the digital and creative part of LRU athletics. That includes overseeing radio and web live streams, in-house video boards and displays, digital social media strategy and the creative development of mobile and video content for all communication platforms.
“We couldn’t be happier with the addition of Allison to our Bears Family,” LRU Associate Athletic Director of Marketing and Promotions Aaron Bessey in the press release. “With the landscape of college athletics becoming increasingly digital and creative focused, we feel strongly that the hiring of Allison will be instrumental in telling our story and pushing us closer towards the top of D-II.”
Luthman graduated from Ball State University in May of 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism/Telecommunications with a focus in Digital Sports Production/News.
Bears’ Hartsell reaches Women’s Amateur
Rising LRU senior women’s golfer Abbey Hartsell has qualified for the United States Golf Association (USGA) Women’s Amateur in Tennessee.
The championship is scheduled Aug. 6-12 at The Golf Club of Tennessee in Kingston Springs.
Harstell, who was a prep golf star at Alexander Central, is the first amateur qualifier for the Women’s Amateur in LRU history. She shot a 2-under par 70 on July 6 at the Monroe Country Club to advance.
The USGA has 18-hole qualifying tournaments at 23 locations in the United States and Canada.
Hartsell was seventh in the tournament in Monroe.
LRU, Kickback Jack’s form partnership
LRU’s athletic department recent announced a partnership with local sports restaurant Kickback Jack’s.
In the agreement, Kickback Jack’s will provide financial assistance and meal assistance with the Bears’ athletic teams and will serve as the official sponsor of the Bears Club Tailgating Lot and the Bears Club Football Season Tickets.
Trio of Bears honored
Three LRU women’s golf players – Ainee O’Connor, Laura Morrison and Jordan Young – have been named All-American Scholars by The Women’s Golf Association (WGAC).
A minimum grade point average of 3.50 is required for a golfer to be considered for the honor.
O’Connor is a junior from Kent, United Kingdom and led the Bears to four tournament wins last season.
Morrison, also from the United Kingdom (Leeds), is a sophomore. She had four top-15 finishes and two top-10 finishes last season and finished in the top 15 at the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) championships.
Young is a junior from Winston-Salem who was in the top 50 at three tournaments last season.
LRU’s women gained their first postseason bid in 15 years last season and finished in the top three at the SAC tournament.
2 Bears swimmers repeat as honorable mention
For the second straight semester, LRU swimmers Noah McRea and Jacob Queen were listed on honorable mention on the 2018 2018 College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-American team.
McRea, a senior from Hickory, graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in psychology while carrying a grade point average of 3.98.
McRea earned 2018 All-Bluegrass Mountain Conference honors in the 500-yard freestyle and his time in the 400-yard IM was good enough to earn NCAA Division II “B” cut qualifying. He was named league men’s swimmer of the week twice last season.
CVCC athletes recognized for academics
Ten student-athletes and one team at Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) have been honored by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) for classroom performance.
CVCC has now had 10 individuals and one team honored for two straight years.
“I’m proud of our student-athletes,” Tisha England, Learning Assistance Center Coordinator and head women’s basketball coach at CVCC said in a press release. “We strive for excellence in the classroom, as well as on the court and field.
“Academics are a means to education and success in life. I’m looking forward to hearing and seeing greatness from our student-athletes.”
CVCC’s volleyball team received 2017-18 NJCAA Academic Team honorable mention with a combined team grade point average of 3.18.
Of the 10 individual student-athletes honored, six play baseball for the Red Hawks.
Drew Latham, Josh Rice, Madisyn Bolin, Trent McKay and Willie Gordon were all second-team for carrying a grade point average of 3.99 to 3.8, while sophomore second baseman Jimmy Marcelli was third-team for having a GPA of 3.6 to 3.79.
CVCC volleyball players Adair Melton and Emilee Webber were named to the second- and third-teams, respectively, while basketball players Monique McAbee and Nicole Lyerly were each named third-team.