A longtime Middle Tennessean, he has seen first-hand the changes to the Lipscomb campus and throughout the Nashville area. In fact, Paul Compton has been part of the positive changes through his work as a teacher, coach and administrator at Brentwood Academy. We learned about his teammates, his favorite memories as a Bison, and his favorite instructors at Lipscomb when he sat down this week for a brief conversation with LipscombSports.com.

What years did you compete for Lipscomb?

I played basketball for Ken Dugan and Mike Clark from 1969-71.

What teammate was most memorable?

I’ll give you two teammates who were memorable to me. Ron Rippetoe was memorable because he was incredibly unpredictable, but in a good way.  His teammates learned quickly to stay alert because we never knew when a pass was coming or where it might be coming from.  I really enjoyed playing with him.  Bruce Bowers was a tremendous teammate. What can you say about a 6’1” post player who was nearly unstoppable?  Plus, he was a really nice guy as well.

What degree have you earned?

I earned my B.S. from Lipscomb and an M.Ed. from MTSU.

Why did you attend Lipscomb?

I went to high school across campus at Lipscomb High, so I saw lots of Bison games through the years and became a fan.  Several of my friends were attending Lipscomb College, and I think Lipscomb was the only school that offered me any scholarship money so it was an easy choice.

What is your favorite athletic memory at Lipscomb?

We pulled off a pretty big upset over Transylvania (I think).  They were nationally ranked in the NAIA at the time, and we were maybe a .500 team, so it was a significant win.  The Belmont games were always exciting, though we did not have great success in those years.

Who influenced your athletic career at Lipscomb?

Coach Dugan and Coach Clark were good men.  I appreciate what they did for me.

What do you remember about Lipscomb campus life during your time here?

I was a day student who lived off-campus, so my experience was a little different from most.  Still, I remember things like curfews and dress code that might seem pretty obsolete today.  The birth of Delta NaNaNa was memorable. 

What is the most valuable lesson you learned in your time at Lipscomb?

Looking back, I am grateful for the emphasis on the authority of scripture and on living by Christian principles daily, not just in compartments.  I can’t say that I would have had the same answer back then, but thankfully experience cultivates wisdom.

Who were your favorite professors?

There were many, for many different reasons. These come to mind: the intellect of Pat Deese and Rodney Cloud, the authenticity of Leo Snow, Fessor Boyce’s common sense and kindness, Lewis Maiden’s love of his subject matter (History), Mack Craig’s knack for making scripture come alive, Don Finto’s zeal for Jesus, Harvey Floyd’s depth, and the ability of Ralph Nance and Earl Dennis to make complex concepts understandable.

What do you do now?

I am the upper school director at Brentwood Academy just south of Nashville.

Tell us about your family:

Sara and I blended our families in 2000.  We have 5 children and 12 grandchildren, ages 4 months through 12 years.  Ryan, Matt and Grant live in the Nashville area with their wives and children.  Merritt and her family are in New York City, and Pete lives in Denver with his wife and son.

FAST FINISH

• Favorite food: Cherry pie
• Favorite TV show or movie: The Godfather
• Favorite Bible scripture: John 6:68 – “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
• Favorite sports team: Several; maybe the Boston Red Sox
• Pet peeve: So, I don’t like it when people start or end a sentence with “so.”
• Rather ride or drive? Drive
• Pick one – salad or dessert: Dessert
• Dream vacation spot: Jackson Hole, Wyoming or Maui
• Early morning or late night person? Morning

You can reach Paul by email at paul_compton@brentwoodacademy.com.