April 16, 2012
For Immediate Release
Those participating in the basketball clinic with Lincoln Village and the Christian Coaching class at Campbellsville University are: front row, from left– Ronald Mink, a sophomore of Liberty, Ky.; Tom Akin, Lincoln Village staff; Xavier, Xavier, Ramonte, Phillip, all of Lincoln Village; and Alen Karapandzic, a senior of Danville, Ky.
Second row– J.T. Curtis, a freshman of Franklin, Ky.; Ryan Richardson, a senior of Spokane, Wash.; Dylan of Lincoln Village; Emma Calvert, a sophomore of Scottsville, Ky.; Daven of Lincoln Village; Christopher Hogan, a senior of Frankfort, Ky.; Tre’ of Lincoln Village; and Darryn Litton, a senior of Somerset, Ky.
Third row– Dr. Ted Taylor, professor of Christian studies; Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs; Justin Amburgey, a sophomore of Brandenburg, Ky.; Lauren Goodin, a senior of Columbia, Ky.; Samantha Vanhoose, a junior of Flatwoods, Ky.; Christian of Lincoln Village; Adam Robertson a sophomore of Knoxville, Tenn.; and Andy Vincent, a junior of Brownsville, Ky.
Fourth row– Anthony Douglas, a sophomore of Chattanooga, Tenn.; John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president; Dr. Dwayne Frazier, associate vice president for academic affairs; Cody Clark, a sophomore of Lebanon Junction, Ky.; Josh Miller, a senior of Greensburg, Ky.; Casey Clarke, a senior of London, England; Logan Hazelwood, a graduate assistant of Salvisa, Ky.; and Mike Smith, a senior of Hodgenville, Ky. (Campbellsville University Photo by Sarah Ames)
By Sarah Ames, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.—Twelve young men from the Lincoln Village Detention Center visited Campbellsville University for a basketball clinic on Wednesday, April 10.
Dr. G. Ted Taylor’s Christian Coaching class hosted a Gospel-driven basketball clinic for the 12 juveniles in the Powell Athletic Center. The clinic included skill stations and team building activities, as well as lunch and a devotion.
Mike Smith, recreational director at Lincoln Village and a CU student, said, “We had these 12 young men who had to be on good behavior all week in order to come.” Because of their good behavior, the boys were allowed the outing to CU.
“We were pleased to once again host these young men and their supervisors from Lincoln Village,” said John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president. “The class, taught by Dr. Ted Taylor and assisted by Logan Hazelwood, initiated this partnership once again, and it afforded all involved with a good opportunity for ministry, fellowship, and sports involvement. This was a positive experience for all involved.”
Taylor’s class hosts Lincoln Village once per semester.
The Lincoln Village men played a double-elimination tournament after being divided into four teams. Individuals who won the titles of Most Valuable Player, Champion of Character and Mr. Hustle received signed basketballs from the CU Tiger basketball team, presented by assistant basketball coach, Justin Watson. Team champions were also given championship T-shirts, and all participants were presented with a Bible signed by the students of the Christian Coaching class.
Sharing the Gospel was central to all activities. On center court, CU graduate assistant Logan Hazelwood spoke with the men, and reminded them that Jesus is a life-changer, and the greatest reward. “I was so encouraged by our class and their initiative to build relationships with the Lincoln Village guys. If it was this encouraging to me, I can’t imagine what it was like for Lincoln Village,” said Hazelwood.
“I think it really touched these men because it showed them someone cares about them,” Smith said. “When you have young men committed to the state, they feel like no one cares about them, that they’re put on the shelf. But you have these CU students, who don’t even know them, spending time with them and sharing with them. I think it made a big impact. I want to thank the school and the students for this opportunity.”
Hazelwood said, “I think we will hear soon that many of these Lincoln Village men have earned their way out of the program vastly due to the influence our guys and God’s Gospel had on them.”
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master’s degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.