Spiritual Formation | 10/2/2025 2:43:00 PM

Written by: Addi Pelham

Just a week ago, I sat with Bob Mason to talk about his life, his faith, and his love for Lipscomb. I had no way of knowing that our conversation would be my last one with him. A few days later, Bob passed away. I started this article with the goal of it being a story celebrating his lifelong connection to Lipscomb, and it has now become a remembrance of a man whose impact reaches far beyond the stands of any game.

For decades, when you walked into a Lipscomb game in Allen Arena—or even a practice—chances are you'd see Bob Mason watching. He was one of the most loyal and passionate supporters of Lipscomb Athletics. His story, however, is more than just about fandom. Bob Mason's story is about faith, friendship, and the lifelong influence of Lipscomb on his life—an influence that shaped him in profound ways.

From Player to Coach to Referee
Mason's journey with Lipscomb began on the court as a basketball player. After one year as a Bison, he made the decision to quit playing basketball and transfer to the University of Tennessee. Despite the transfer, Mason kept his love for Lipscomb Athletics. After graduating college and a stint in the Army, Mason found his way back to Nashville, where he began coaching basketball at Lipscomb Academy. After serving as an assistant coach for five years, Mason pursued officiating—eventually working his way up to become an SEC basketball official. Throughout his career, Mason never lost his passion for Lipscomb Athletics.

Why Lipscomb Mattered So Much
Lipscomb was never just a place to watch sports for Mason—it was a central part of his life. His children attended Lipscomb, and Mason reflected that he "spent the biggest part of my life on that campus." He described the campus as one of the most powerful influences on his life, saying it was "a place where young people can be influenced for all the right reasons."
One might wonder, what kept Mason coming back to Lipscomb as a fan? A small Christian school of all places? What kept Mason coming back wasn't the competition or the championships—it was the people. He recalled the friendships he built through the athletic department, noting that some of his closest relationships came from the Lipscomb community.

Lipscomb volleyball head coach Brandon Rosenthal is one of those friends. Rosenthal remembered the times Mason invited the volleyball team to serve at the Bridge Ministry: "We spent a couple nights at Bridge Ministry serving with Bob. I got to see Bob in his element outside of Lipscomb. He was the same person no matter where he was—passionate, influencing others, and pouring into people. It was so cool to see our girls dive into that ministry because they loved Bob."

The players' love for Mason went far beyond the gym. "The girls threw a birthday party for him, and even after they graduated, they'd pick him up and go to lunch. He was never seeking out credit. It was never about me and him but his relationship with the girls. I feel as though we both had the desire to connect people and then get out of the way."

Even in small moments, Bob made an impression. "One of my favorite things was to see him at games, shake his hand, and hear him complain about missed serves," Rosenthal laughed.

A Presence That Never Wavered
For those who worked closest with him, Mason's consistency was unforgettable. Athletic Director Phillip Hutcheson reflected, "His consistency is what sticks out. How he just made a point to be at so many events. He was not a fair-weather fan. Not only was he friendly and personable to every athlete and coach, if he sensed someone needed help he would let me know about it. He cared for the community around him."

Hutcheson also remembered Mason's passion for the games themselves: "My favorite memory of him would probably be him sitting behind the bench and always giving his two cents about the game. You could never say he didn't care." Hutch laughed, "He was a true fan."

But above all, Hutcheson hopes people remember Mason's heart: "I hope people will remember that he cared about the people. Ultimately we do play for championships, but I really do think Bob never forgot that the people mattered most. Bob loved the Lord and he loved his fellow men."

Chris Klotz, Director of Spiritual Formation in Athletics, echoed those same sentiments: "Bob Mason was an incredible encourager and friend. The love of Jesus poured out of him so effortlessly. It was always a highlight seeing Bob's smiling face at a Lipscomb game, having lunch together at the international market, or listening to him share about all that God is doing in his life."

Klotz also reflected on Mason's desire to impact athletes through the 555 Prayer Campaign, a tradition of praying for student-athletes through prayer cards. "Bob was a faithful prayer warrior. He often shared with me how long his morning prayer time had extended over the last 10 years as he continued to pray for all of the student-athletes that he had on his 555 prayer cards from over the years. I am forever grateful for the Bob Mason expression of Jesus and for the impact he has had on me, countless student-athletes, the culture of Lipscomb Athletics, and the University as a whole!"

Faith That Shaped His Life
For Mason, being part of the Lipscomb family had always been about more than sports. He spoke openly about how he had seen God's hand at work on campus and in athletics over the years. "It has been a blessing to see the athletic department grow in competitiveness over the years and continue to succeed," said Mason.

A Lasting Legacy
Now, as we grieve his passing, we also celebrate his life. We celebrate the way Bob loved his family, was dedicated to his faith, and the way he supported the Lipscomb community he loved so dearly. Bob Mason's legacy is measured in the lives he impacted. His presence at games, his encouragement to student-athletes, and his unwavering belief in Lipscomb's mission will continue to ripple through the community for years to come.

I am grateful to have spoken with him just a week before his passing, to have heard his reflections in his own words. As a recent alumna of Lipscomb Volleyball, I got to experience Bob's friendship firsthand. I looked back on our old text messages where Bob would send me encouragement after a good game. "Addi, it's good to see you playing so well tonight. Keep swinging like you did tonight and come home 8 and 0 in the ASUN. Bob M." These types of texts were normal for student-athletes. Bob loved Lipscomb and cared deeply for the players.

What began as a story about a super fan has become a tribute to my friend, whose influence, kindness, and love will always be remembered.