After seven years as the lead assistant to Marty Rowe in the Lee University women's basketball program, Jan Spangler has been elevated to associate head coach. Spangler played for Rowe's Lady Flames from 2005 to 2008 and went into the school's hall of fame in 2013.
"Jan was an outstanding student-athlete and helped take our women's basketball program to a higher level," athletic director Larry Carpenter said in the announcement release. "She's been a valuable part of our coaching staff, and we are happy to name her our first associate head coach. She is very deserving of this title."
Said Rowe: "Anyone who's been around our team knows Jan is a very integral part of everything we do. She's a tireless recruiter and does such a great job handling the daily operations of our basketball program. I'm really excited for her and what lies ahead as she continues to grow as a coach."
The Lady Flames went 24-8 last season, 15-5 in the Gulf South Conference, and won a game in the NCAA Division II tournament. Spangler thanked Rowe, Carpenter and school president Dr. Paul Conn for their confidence in her and added, "Although this will not change my everyday approach in what I do, I am excited to continue working with our team and learning from one of the best coaches in the country."
* Former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga assistant coach Kevin Easley is now the head men's basketball coach at Life University in Marietta, Georgia. It is his first collegiate head-coaching position after working on the staffs at UNC Wilmington, High Point, UNC Greensboro and UT-Martin in addition to UTC. The former Austin Peay player served under Matt McCall with the Mocs in the 2016-17 season.
Auto Racing
* Amy Farrow won the Super Pro drag-racing class Saturday night at Brainerd Motorsports Park with a 4.78-second run on a 4.78 dial in her big-block Chevrolet-powered dragster. She is the wife of strip owner Steve Farrow. Strip record-holder Craig Cash went four rounds in his new S-10 Chevy pickup. Rodney Johnson from Clarkson, Tennessee, won the Foot Brake class with a 6.84 run on a 6.89 dial in a 1983 S-10. Jeffry Montgomery of Parksville, Georgia, was second in a Ford Mustang. Branson Jones of Rainsville, Alabama, was the Junior Dragster winner with an 8.05 on an 8.04 with Kat Cross of Cleveland second with a 7.91 on a 7.88. There were 45 motorcycle entries in four classes, and Thomas Watkins won the Harley class.
Golf
* Four Lee players were among the Women's Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholars announced Tuesday for NCAA Division II: 2017-18 seniors Caroline Moore and Sam Burrus and sophomores Annika Gino and Haverly Harrold. That requires a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. All four were All-Gulf South Conference selections for the record-setting league tournament champions. "These four players deserve so much credit for excelling as students and athletes. They take great pride in all areas, and it shows," coach John Maupin said in a Lee release.
* Nicole Adam had a little trouble with her putter Tuesday and shot 76 in the Junior North & South Amateur tournament, but the 16-year-old granddaughter of Red Bank's Jim and Nancy Sims was tied for 11th at 150 in the girls' division going into today's final round at Pinehurst, North Carolina, where she lives. Presley Baggett of Mississippi shot 67 and led by two at 142. The players have to carry their own bags.
General
* Sewanee's athletic department announced Tuesday a five-year partnership with Under Armour and BSN SPORTS. The deal officially began Sunday and includes rewards for achievements. "This strategic partnership provides the finest apparel and athletic products to the Tigers athletic teams and benefits each student-athlete," BSN vice president Todd Northrop said in the school release. "The arrangement provides our student-athletes with truly outstanding gear and equipment," athletic director Mark Webb said.