Coach Jim White to headline 2015 Don Meyer Evening of Excellence
Lipscomb Athletics |
Lipscomb University Director of Athletics Philip Hutcheson announced that Coach Jim White will headline the 2015 Don Meyer Evening of Excellence on Saturday, April 25, at Lipscomb’s Allen Arena. White is the subject of the Disney movie McFarland USA starring Kevin Costner that is currently showing nationwide in theaters. The movie has already grossed more than $22 million in its first two weekends.
White coached McFarland High School in McFarland, California to nine cross country state championships in 14 years. McFarland (population 13,500) is one of the poorest cities in the state. Most of White’s runners were the children of immigrant field workers.
“Coach White is the epitome of a servant leader,” said Hutcheson. “His programs were built on faith, family and the pursuit of excellence in all things. The ripple effects from his life and coaching career will be felt for generations to come.”
The Don Meyer Evening of Excellence is named after the legendary former Lipscomb basketball coach who passed away in May of 2014 after a courageous battle with cancer. Meyer finished with a career record of 923-324 in 38 seasons. He coached at Hamline University for three years, Lipscomb for 24 years and Northern State for 11 years. Meyer is in ten national Halls of Fame. In 2009 he received the Jimmy V ESPY Award for Perseverance.
Previous speakers include Coach Meyer, former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, Duke head basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens, Phil, Si and Kay Robertson from Duck Dynasty and “Mr. Cub” Ernie Banks.
Coach White and his wife Cheryl, both 73, both plan on being in Nashville on April 25. They met in 1959 at Magic Valley Christian College, a small Church of Christ affiliated school in Idaho. Both of Cheryl’s parents attended David Lipscomb College. Coach White graduated from George Pepperdine College (the forerunner of Pepperdine University) in 1964.
The main event will feature a dinner and presentation by Coach White. It will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Lipscomb’s Allen Arena. Table sponsorships begin at $1,000 and include ten seats for the dinner. For more information contact Brent High at 615-566-6023 or brent.high [at] lipscomb.edutarget="_blank".