General 9/1/2022 7:16:00 AM

Where Are They Now? - Shelley Lancaster (Volleyball)

Shelley Lancaster Swinehart came to Lipscomb University with no plans to play volleyball because there wasn't a team. Her sophomore year she tried out and made the first ever intercollegiate team at Lipscomb and played right side for three seasons. She served as a co-captain as well. She is still involved in volleyball as a high school coach. She took time out from her busy teaching schedule to talk with Lipscombsports.com.

Name and sport played:

Shelley Lancaster Swinehart. Volleyball.

What years did you compete for Lipscomb, and who coached you?

I played in 1993, '94 and '95. I played on the first team at Lipscomb and I enjoyed it. First of all, I enjoyed it because I made the team. I enjoyed the coaches. Jeff Spivey was the head coach. I loved coach Spivey. He was very good with people. It was a great experience to be a part of a first time ever program for a college.

What teammates were most memorable, and why?

Emily Shelton Medlock was for sure one of my favorites. If there were ever someone who would win an award on the team it would be her.

Susan Lewis was our other really strong hitter. I remember Melissa Maness really well because we formed a friendship. Angela Shelton, Emily's sister, joined the team my second year. She was a phenomenal setter.

What degree have you earned, from where, and when?

I have a B.S. in Chemistry from Lipscomb University in 1997.

I am working on my master's degree in educational administration at Grand Canyon University.

Why did you attend Lipscomb?

I wanted a Christian school. We were from the Church of Christ tradition. Both of my parents, Steve and Jackie, had gone there. And it was small.

What is your favorite athletic memory at Lipscomb?

Volleyball-wise for some reason I remember our games with Cumberland and Belmont. Those were our two key games. People would fill the gym for those games. They were always exciting.

I enjoyed the basketball games back then. John Pierce, John Holt and Clancy Hall were on the team. The ""Battle of the Boulevard" games with Belmont were always really fun.

In intramurals, I played for Gamma Lambda. I was the athletic director for Gamma Lambda. I loved all the intramural games between the social clubs. And we had a volleyball flag football team for one year and we did really well. After one year coach Spivey decided it wasn't a good idea for his collegiate athletes to be playing flag football.

Who influenced your athletic career at Lipscomb?

I really go back to coach Spivey a lot. I liked his coaching style. I have worked hard to be like him in the way I relate to my team. I couldn't be quite as calm as him. I wasn't made that way.

I can still remember him asking me why I was worried all the time about making mistakes. I told him that was the way I was coached. And he said, `no, that is not how we do this'. He instilled confidence in my skills that I had never had instilled in me. He never made me feel like I was any less because I wasn't a star.

I was always shocked I made the team. I was an average athlete in high school.

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

I really liked the social club system. I was a social butterfly anyway. I loved the intramurals. Those are things I really liked.

I loved going to Lipscomb. I can't say anything bad about my time there. I enjoyed my time there. I enjoyed the campus and the sporting events like basketball. I also loved watching baseball games.

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

I learned how to interact with different types of people. One thing I remember from my college days is you are so much more accepting of people who aren't like you,

You find the group you fit in with who are like you. But at the same time, you learn to appreciate other people for their gifts and their talents and who they really are more than if they are popular or cool.

I remember serving people was a really big thing when I was at Lipscomb and I am sure it still is. That was something that I had been missing…learning to help others through service opportunities like mission trips with Dr. Gary Hall. I went on three mission trips with him. I even went on one after I graduated. Those are very valuable to me.

Who were your favorite professors and why?

Dr. Gary Hall. He did Bible studies with us during chapel time. We all loved Dr. Hall. He was fun. He built good relationships with us. We felt like he was someone we could go talk to and joke around with. He was a good teacher. I minored in math and I had him for several classes.

Dr. Kent Clinger and Dr. William Tallon were my chemistry professors. They were great.

Where did you grow up?

Gallatin, Tennessee.

Where do you live, and what do you do now?

I live in Erwin, Tennessee. I teach at Unicoi County High School. I teach chemistry and STEM classes and I coach volleyball.

Tell us about your family:

I am married to Matt Swinehart. He played baseball at Trevecca and was an assistant coach for Jeff Forehand.

We have three boys, Dakota, 14; Jack, 13; and John Matthew, 10.

FAST FINISH:

Favorite food: Anything chocolate
Favorite TV show or movie: Stargate S1
Favorite Bible scripture: Proverbs 3: 5-6
Favorite sports team: Tennessee Vols
Pet peeve: When my kids won't get of bed in the morning
Person I most admire: My mother and dad and my mother-in-law Trish Swinehart
Person I'd most like to meet: Susanna Kearsley, an author
Rather ride or drive? Drive
Pick one – salad or dessert: Dessert
Dream vacation spot: The mountains
Early morning or late-night person? Late-night

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