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dan gutman where are they now

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Gymnastics' Dan Gutzman: Where Are They Now?

Name and sport played:
 
 Dan Gutzman. My sport was Gymnastics- Yep they had a team once.
 

What years did you compete for Lipscomb, and who coached you?
 
I competed from 1976 to 1980 for coach Tom Hanvey.
 

What teammates were most memorable, and why?
 
We had an interesting assortment of teammates from all over the country – Bobby Seale, John Dunn, Kit Bunger, John Biggs, Tim Richards, Jimmy Gibby, Richard Mathews, Tom Wallace, John Shasney and Jim DelRio just to name a few. My most memorable was John Dunn- he was my roommate.
 
These were gifted men who were willing to do some amazing things with their talent and skills to compete against other schools around the country in the NAIA and NCAA. We learned from our coach and each other.
 

What degrees have you earned, from where, and when?
 
I graduated with a management major and an economics minor, all from Lipscomb. I graduated in May of 1980.
 

Why did you attend Lipscomb?
 
To be honest, I had never heard of Lipscomb.I researched where some of the other gymnasts from Sequoyah High School had gone and several had gone to Lipscomb.
 
I went for a visit there and loved the chemistry and togetherness of the team.Having chapel daily and it being Christian based provided me the structure I liked.I almost went a military route with the Coast Guard.
 

What is your favorite athletic memory at Lipscomb?
 
Competing at the college level was a thrill for me.I broke my leg my junior year in a sledding accident and thought I wouldn't be able to be back to the level needed to compete.
 
Placing third in the nation on the Side Horse Event at the Nationals in Billings Montana, my senior year was pretty special after a come back year to prove I still had what it takes.It was a good high note to go out on, knowing you did your best and give your all.
 

Who influenced your athletic career at Lipscomb?
 
Tom Hanvey was amazing and believed in every one of us. He always supported us to do the very best we could and was there to pick us up when things didn't go so well.
 
The teammates pushed each other to be the best we could be, providing the thoughts, ideas, support and spotting needed to gain new tricks.We were all in it together both in the sport, our faith and in our spare time.
 

What do you remember about Lipscomb campus life during your time here?
 
It's always been a beautiful campus.I liked the size of the campus because you could get around so easily.
 
The people I met both by the interviews I did for the paper and while on the team were always interesting.
 
We played Frisbee in front of the Student Center trying to impress the ladies with our catching skills and long-distance throws.
 
Dean Dennis Loyd in an English class asked to shoot pictures for the Babbler newspaper.I had a dark room in the basement of the science building, and a color lab in the basement of Sewel Hall.I spent many a late night getting photos developed for an upcoming deadline.
 
I loved Singarama and got to be the photographer for that event as well.
 
I also learned to throw pottery and still do that as a hobby today.It's a great stress reliever.
 
The chapel singing was incredible, and the combination of voices was something I didn't grow up with.
 
The daily Bible classes were pretty special to me as well.You see, I was Catholic in faith when I chose Lipscomb.After some dorm hallway Bible studies and late nights talking with the guys on the athletic floor, I became a Christian spring of my freshman year.Don Dodd baptized me at Otter Creek Church and my life was forever changed.From then on, I grew up in the Church of Christ faith. I married a good Christian woman and we raised three beautiful children.God continues to bless me today.
 

What are the most valuable lessons you learned in your time at Lipscomb?
 
God has a plan for each one of us.We just need to let go and let him drive the direction your life will go.This one took me years to learn but I finally got it.Trust God!
 
College friends are friends you have for life.  The memories you shared while there are a connection you will never lose for the rest of your life.  I had a lot of good memories from my college days at Lipscomb.
 

Who were your favorite professors and why?
 
 Dr. Bill Ingram, always had an interesting perspective to things that was pretty different and made you stop and think.I had him for business statistics and several economics classes.
 
Charles Frazier, gave us many of the life lessons to make it in life and not lose your shirt.
 
I also enjoyed my evening classes, which consisted of marketing, business law, and the teachers were business leaders with real life experiences and stories I found very interesting.
 
The Bible classes of Dr. Rodney Cloud and Coach Don Meyers were the best.All this was new to me in many ways so some of this I was hearing for the very first time.
 

Where did you grow up?
 
I grew up in Doraville Georgia. I was born in Lorain, Ohio but at age nine we moved to Atlanta. It's a big city and I liked going to a smaller town like Nashville. It's one of the reasons we settled here and raised our family in Hendersonville Tennessee.
 

Where do you live, and what do you do now?
 
We live in Hendersonville Tennessee. We have been here for over 33 years.
 
Today I work with BTX Global Logistics as the Director of Sales.After 28 years in the retail and wholesale food industry, I finally was ready for a change so about eight years ago, I decided to go another direction.Just goes to show, you don't have to stay in something you know. The skills and experiences are transferable to other industries.
 

Tell us about your family:
 
I feel very blessed to have three beautiful children - Abby, Adam and Zach.All have beautiful families, good jobs, completed college and were raised in the Church of Christ faith and are doing well for themselves.
 
We have six beautiful grandchildren - four girls and two boys.
 
A life event blessed me with a special lady and a step-child, Kathryn McCracken, but she's called a bonus.She's also completed college and has a great job. So together with my wife Melissa we have a family of four children.
 
The Christian principles that were learned over the years have provided us all that we need, a beautiful family, good friends and memories to last a lifetime.
 
 
FAST FINISH: 
  • Favorite food: no one favorite- Brisket, steaks, shrimp boils, pizza
  • Favorite TV show or movie: Top Gun- can't wait to see the sequel this summer.
  • Favorite Bible scripture: John 3:16  and Phil 4:13  I even put them on the pottery I throw so others can see them.
  • Favorite sports team: Alabama- My wife has been cheering them on for years.  It's fun to be on the winning side for a change.
  • Pet peeve: Clutter and disorganization
  • Person I most admire: My Dad- realizing what he had to go through and do to get me where I am today. 
  • Person I'd most like to meet: Vince Gill- I love the song "Go Rest High on the Mountain"  He's pretty humble.  I like that in a person.
  • Rather ride or drive?  Drive for sure- I like being in control.
  • Pick one – salad or dessert: Dessert
  • Dream vacation spot: Hawaii
  • Early morning or late night person? Morning person for sure! 
 
If you wish to include contact Dan, he can be reached by email: 
  • Email address: dgutzman3998@gmail.com

 
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