Baseball's John Beyer: Where Are They Now?
2/20/2020 7:45:00 AM
He was a highly recruited pitcher from Lone Oak, Kentucky who pitched two years for the Bisons before transferring to satisfy his major. But John Beyer has made Nashville and Lipscomb home for his family. We learned more about this right-hander when he sat down this week with LipscombSports.com.
What years did you compete for Lipscomb?
I played Bison Baseball from the fall of 1989 through the spring of 1991 for Coach Ken Dugan and assistants Al Austelle and Andy Lane.
What teammates were most memorable?
I have many memories of living on the 7th floor of High Rise dorm with my roommate, Brent McNutt, and teammates Marty Benefield, Brian Mast, Kyle Coker, David Costello and Matt Alexander – to mention a few. There was never a dull moment on the 7th floor! We had a great group of guys during my tenure at Lipscomb, and we had a lot of fun both playing baseball and bonding together with some “escapades” hunting, fishing, golfing, and shooting pool at The Golden Rail.
And, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention two great guys who I miss and are no longer with us: Raymond Harvey and Scott Shannon.
What degree did you earn?
I transferred from Lipscomb after two years to earn my Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Murray State University. Lipscomb only offered pre-engineering at that time.
Why did you attend Lipscomb?
I was recruited out of Lone Oak High School (just outside Paducah, Kentucky) by Coach Dugan in 1988. Jeff Coleman, who graduated a year before me from Lone Oak, came to Lipscomb. He and my high school coach, Jim Mizell, helped me connect with Coach Dugan. I meet with him and he offered me a scholarship to become a Bison.
What is your favorite athletic memory at Lipscomb?
The 1991 District 24 Championship was a milestone. We had a great team and were able to win the championship on the new Ken Dugan Field. We also had some pretty good memories playing ball on Spring Breaks in Daytona Beach. It was always fun to ride a bus all night and drive straight to the field for practice!
Who influenced your athletic career at Lipscomb?
Coach Dugan was a big influence on my career at Lipscomb. He always had high expectations of his players both on and off the field. I never realized until after I had left Lipscomb the life lessons he was teaching us through the game of baseball. He expected us to work hard and play the game with respect. Al Austelle was also a great influence while I was at Lipscomb. He was always easy to talk to when you were struggling with a bad game or just a life problem. I never knew how good it was to be a Bison until after I left the game.
What do you remember about Lipscomb campus life during your time here?
Campus life was fun at Lipscomb. Getting to hang out at the Student Center and Bison Square was always a good place to see your friends. Going to basketball games in McQuiddy Gym – they were always packed.
What is the most valuable lesson you learned in your time at Lipscomb?
You have to work hard to reach your goals!
Who were your favorite professors?
I majored in Pre-Engineering when I was at Lipscomb. My favorite professor was Dr. Ralph Nance. He taught many of my classes and helped me develop a solid foundation for engineering school. He was not only a good teacher but he was a great man. He was always a pleasure to be around and a big fan of Lipscomb Baseball.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Paducah, Kentucky.
What do you do now?
I’m Vice President of Land Development for Regent Homes, LLC in Nashville, Tennessee. We develop and build 300-400 homes per year in the Middle Tennessee area.
Tell us about your family:
I have been married to Stacey Speer Beyer for 26 years. We have three children: Maribeth (23), Anna Grace (20), and Will (13). Will is currently a student at Lipscomb Academy, and the girls both graduated there. Maribeth graduated from Lipscomb University last spring and Anna Grace is currently a sophomore there. Stacey also works at the university in the Physicians Assistant program. Lipscomb is in our blood! We currently live in Brentwood, Tennessee.
FAST FINISH:
- Favorite food: Good seafood and steak
- Favorite TV show or movie: Smokey and the Bandit
- Favorite Bible scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
- Favorite sports team: Kentucky Wildcats
- Pet peeve: Lazy people
- Persons I most admire: My parents, Larry and Carol Beyer
- Person I’d most like to meet: Michael Jordan
- Rather ride or drive? Drive for sure
- Pick one – salad or dessert: Dessert
- Dream vacation spot: Jackson Hole, Wyoming or somewhere on a beach
- Early morning or late night person? Late night
You can reach John by email: john.beyer@regenthomes-tn.com
