General | 7/8/2020 11:00:00 AM

He was a tall right-hander from Valdosta, Georgia who came to Lipscomb and became the top freshman pitcher on Bison Baseball's 1977 NAIA National Championship team. Kip McLeod owned a 3-0 record and a 2.78 ERA for Ken Dugan and pitching coach Roy Pardue. We learned plenty about this lifelong educator – including how he won a second National Championship ring – when he sat down this week with LipscombSports.com.
 
 
What years did you compete for Lipscomb?
I attended Lipscomb in 1976-77 and played for the 1977 NAIA National Championship team. The Legend, Ken Dugan, was our head coach, and Roy Pardue was the Assistant and Pitching Coach.
 
What teammates were most memorable?  
Sports Information Director Don Walker, Mark Carter and Bo McLaughlin were the most memorable to me.  Don was my roommate and was always teaching the kid from deep South Georgia how to do everything at Lipscomb.  Mark was the quiet leader who had a heart for young kids like me and always had time to help us.  Bo McLaughlin and his work ethic were well known.  EVERY night without failure Bo was in the men's restroom of the dorm swinging a bat with weights on it.  NO shirt, railroad gloves and sweat.  He showed me what it meant to WORK.
 
What degrees have you earned?

• Associates Degree from Abraham Baldwin College in Tifton, Georgia '78
• Bachelor's Degree from Valdosta State College '80
• Master's Degree (Health and PE) from Valdosta State College '83
• Specialist Degree (Administration/HPE) from Nova University '86
• Master's Degree (Administration) from Valdosta State University '89

 
Why did you attend Lipscomb?
Lipscomb was (and is) a premier school for both baseball and education.
 
What is your favorite athletic memory at Lipscomb?
Winning the NAIA National Championship in 1977.
 
Who influenced your athletic career at Lipscomb?
Ken Dugan influenced me the most with his attention to the details of the game, from dressing to drills to game time attitudes and etiquette.
 
What do you remember about Lipscomb campus life during your time here?
A young man from South Georgia remembers three things about something I wasn't accustomed to: snow. We rode lunch trays down hills on campus when it snowed and iced. I also remember a group of my baseball teammates trying to throw snowballs over the dorm we lived in, and I clearly remember my Corvette's door handles being frozen for weeks at a time to where I couldn't get in my car.
 
What is the most valuable lesson you learned in your time at Lipscomb?
I learned that when you start something, finish it.It took me about 10 years after attending Lipscomb to learn this lesson.I left Lipscomb after my freshman year and today it continuously eats at me for not staying and attending the other 3 years, although I did get the opportunity to play for another National Championship baseball team -- Valdosta State won the 1979 NCAA Div. II Baseball Championship.
 
Where did you grow up?
Valdosta, Georgia
 
What do you do now?
On June 30 I will complete my 40^th year in Education.I have been a teacher for 20 years and an administrator for 20 years.I have served as an Assistant Principal, Principal, Alternative School Director, and Instructional Coach in both Georgia and Florida.
Currently I direct a charter school at night for Coastal Plains Charter High School in Valdosta, Georgia, and I'm the Instructional Coach for Cook County High School in Adel, Georgia.Both jobs are part time as I retired from the Lowndes County, Georgia school system in 2013.
 
Tell us about your family:
I am married (26 years) to Julie Jones of Lakeland, Georgia. We have two sons – Greyson (24) is an account manager for a beverage company in Columbus, Georgia and was a right-handed pitcher at both Gordon Junior College and University of West Georgia.  He graduated from West Georgia in 2019.  Rett is a cancer survivor and he (19) just graduated from Andrew College and will be attending Piedmont College in Helen, Georgia in the fall as a junior.  He is a left-handed pitcher and plays baseball at Piedmont. My daughter, Kristin (36), is a Physician Assistant at the Hughston Clinic in Columbus, Georgia.  She played basketball and softball at Piedmont College and basketball at Valdosta State University. 
 
FAST FINISH: 

• Favorite food: Steak
• Favorite TV show or movie: Any Clint Eastwood movie
• Favorite Bible scripture: Romans 5:3 teaches perseverance, character, and hope.
• Favorite sports team: Atlanta Braves
• Pet peeve: Leaving the door open with the AC running
• Person I most admire: My wife, a beautiful, strong, independent red head
• Person I'd most like to meet:  Donald Trump
• Rather ride or drive?  Ride
• Pick one – salad or dessert:  Dessert (with strawberries)
• Dream vacation spot:  Hawaii or Jamaican Islands
• Early morning or late-night person?  Early morning for sure 

 
You can reach Kip by email at kipdmcleod@gmail.com. He's also on Facebook and Twitter.