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Where Are They Now? - Will Beyer (Track & Cross Country)

Will Beyer was a member of several outstanding track and field teams for Lipscomb during the NAIA era. He ran in three cross country national championships and two cross country national championships. He ran the marathon at Lipscomb in two hours and 38 minutes, a school record. He spent some time talking with Lipscombports.com about his time on campus as well as what he is doing today.
 
Name and sports played:
 
Will Beyer, Track and Cross Country
 
Joey Haines recruited me out of Paducah,  Kentucky to run distance and cross country. Ultimately, the marathon was my best event.
 
 
What years did you compete for Lipscomb, and who coached you?
 
I ran for Lipscomb from 1974-78. Joey Haines was my coach.
 
 
What teammates were most memorable, and why?
 
Kelly Herring was my roommate most of the time I was there. He was a quiet, unassuming person. He always got the job done. He was a really good friend.
 
Charles Lyle could do anything. He ran hurdles and sprints. He was a great influence.
 
Garth Pinkston helped me a great deal, especially studying the Bible. He was very knowledgeable.
 
George McMillan actually baptized me when I was a freshman. We went over to Granny White Church around midnight after three or four hours of study. He was a high jumper.
 
 I always thought Robert Cobb could have won the decathlon at the Olympics. We called him "Monster" Cobb.
 
So many guys on the team meant so much. We were closer than brothers. I don't remember any of us over the four years having a conflict or not getting along. We always encouraged and supported each other. I credit coach Haines. He set the atmosphere and attitude that we were good enough to compete against NCAA schools. He challenged us with workouts that none of us would have ever tried on our own.
 
 
What degrees have you earned, from where, and when?
 
A bachelor's degree in psychology and education from Lipscomb in 1978.
 
A master's in counseling and psychology plus 45 hours towards my doctorate at the University of Memphis in 1984.
 
I was in the doctoral program, but my children were kindergarten age. I wanted to spend some time with them so I took a leave of absence and never finished.
 
 
Why did you attend Lipscomb?
I went to Lipscomb more for track than any other reason. The opportunity to run in college was exciting. Other small colleges tried to recruit me.
 
My father had a heart attack my senior year and he was in one of the hospitals in Nashville.  I went out and I met coach Haines. I had a number of friends from high school who went to Lipscomb.
 
 
What is your favorite athletic memory at Lipscomb?
 
Probably running the Smokey Mountain Marathon. It was in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. That is where I ran the 2:38. It was one of my better runs.
 
Getting to go to the national championships was always exciting for the team.
 
We went to the Florida Relays, Kansas Relays, Penn Relays and Florida Relays. We were an NAIA school, but we competed again NCAA Division I schools and did well.
 
 
Who influenced your athletic career at Lipscomb?
 
Coach Joey Haines changed my life. I remember his knowledge for track and field. He was probably one of the most competent track and field coaches in the country. He had a passion for that. He was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.
 
 We didn't have much in terms of facilities. We ran at the steeplechase track at the park. Most of our meets were at Overton High School. I remember a couple of races when I had a better than average race. He would get excited. He was an encourager. People were attracted to him more than they were the program. He was the one that showed you your potential and let you know he cared about you not only as an athlete but as a person.
 
I was always chasing the other guys. There were so many runners faster than me. Kelly Herring was the one I admired  the most. We ran thousands of miles together. It was not unusual for us to run 80 to 90 miles a week. We ran in the early morning and the afternoon.
 
 
What do you remember about Lipscomb campus life during your time here?
 
From day one I loved it. It was a small college back then. You knew all of the teachers. You knew most everybody. Only a small part of the students lived off campus.
 
Willard Collins was the president. If I didn't have a track meet on a weekend, I would drive him to revival meetings around the state. So, I spent a lot of time in the car riding with him and having him answer questions. I felt like I grew a lot in knowledge just by being around him and hearing him preach. I was a new Christian then, and he probably got tired of all my questions, but he was very patient with me.
 
He always had three points. He was an outstanding speaker…so powerful and so knowledgeable. But at the same time he was a humble and gently man. I appreciated getting to know him. It was an honor.
 
I loved the nightly devotionals in the middle of campus. They were very special. A lot of people complained about chapel but I loved chapel. You got a break in the day, and you got to hear some outstanding speakers. The singing was phenomenal.
 
I met my wife, Mary Beth Odell, there. I was very blessed to meet her. Her family was known all over West Tennessee. Meeting her changed my life completely.  She is my best friend. 
 
 
What are the most valuable lessons you learned in your time at Lipscomb?
 
To believe in yourself. I think to live a disciplined life is to live a good life. If it was raining you still got up and did your workouts. You studied for classes. You treated each other with respect. We studied the Bible and grew as persons. We took those things with us and built our lives around those values.
 
You don't have to worry about the day-to-day things. You keep your eye on the ultimate goal and things will work out.
 
 
Who were your favorite professors and why?
 
I liked Dr. Batsell Barrett Baxter's class in apologetics. I have had an interest in it ever since. My two sons and I regularly teach classes on apologetics at our church here.
 
I took every class taught. I liked that he wrote personal encouraging notes back to you. He was always approachable. He helped you think beyond what you were doing then. He taught us the value of what we were learning and the purpose of it.
 
Dr. Ralph Samples was such a good man and an encourager.
 
I loved Mack Wayne Craig's Bible classes. You didn't want the bell to ring. You wanted to keep listening to what he had to say.
 
 
Where did you grow up?
 
I grew up in Paducah, Kentucky.
 
 
Where do you live, and what do you do now?
 
I moved to Jackson, Tennessee to help Jackson Christian get started. I was the headmaster and I think I taught every course at one time or the other.
 
I am a licensed senior psychological examiner-health service provider and licensed professional counselor in practice since 1992 with the Beyer Psychology Group. I have nine counselors who work with me. Most days I do psychological evaluations. I also do some counseling. I do a lot of training as well.
 
I have my own little band, The Will Beyer Band. I play guitar and am the lead vocalist. We play on weekends at restaurants, small venues and some festivals. We can play anything from classic rock to classic or contemporary country. We play a lot of places. I do a little songwriting too.
 
I am writing a book about my sister-in-law, Dianne Odell. For 59 years she lived in an iron lung.  She attracted people from all over the world to come see her. They may have come there feeling sorry for her, but they left encouraged. I am excited about getting this book published.
 
 
Tell us about your family:
 
Mary Beth and I have two sons, Chase and Chance. Chase works for Toyota as an engineer. Chance has done a number of different things. He is going to back to school for a master's at Freed Hardeman.

When you look back at your life raising two good sons is about as good as it gets.
 
 
FAST FINISH: 
  • Favorite food: Sushi
  • Favorite TV show or movie: The Steve Prefontaine Story. Andy Griffith is my favorite TV show.
  • Favorite Bible scripture:  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
  • Favorite sports team: Kentucky Wildcats Basketball, but I also have become a fan of the Nashville Predators.
  • Pet peeve: People who see themselves as victims when they don't realize how truly blessed they really are.
  • Person I most admire: My Mom, Pansy. I was the youngest of six. We struggled a lot with things. Mom came to every track meet. She was always encouraging me. She encouraged me to run track. She was a beautiful person. She worked hard her entire life.
  • Person I'd most like to meet: Jim Ryun. He was a miler. I connected with him on Facebook and he called me up. Still looking for the day to meet him in person.
  • Rather ride or drive?  Drive
  • Dream vacation spot: Hawaii
  • Early morning or late-night person? Late night
 
If you wish to contact Will, you can do so at the email or facebook below:
  • Email address: willbeyerlpe@gmail.com
  • Facebook: @willbeyerband
 
 
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