Draper Diamond will be shining addition to Lipscomb campus

By Mark McGee

The Lipscomb University softball team will have a new home field in the fall.

Friday morning a ceremonial groundbreaking was held to announce the beginning of construction of Draper Diamond. The field gets its name from the Draper Jewelry family, which has provided longtime support to Lipscomb University.

"This is the second time in two months that we have held a ground breaking of a significant new facility," said Lipscomb President Steve Flatt. "Draper Diamond is a perfect fit."

Lassie Draper, widow of Bob Draper, made the donation for the first phase of the new facility. Both Drapers graduated from Lipscomb. Draper Jewelry Company is located on Granny White Pike across from the Lipscomb campus.

The field was moved to make room for construction of the Ezell Center for Biblical Studies which was announced earlier this year.

Andy Lane, assistant athletics director and former softball coach at Lipscomb, proposed the idea of funding the field to Mrs. Draper.

"I want to thank Andy Lane for his vision in making this possible," said Dr. Steve Potts, Lipscomb athletics director. "He came to me and asked about talking to Mrs. Draper. When Andy said we would call it Draper Diamond that made it what it should be."

The Lipscomb softball team has played most of its games this season at Crockett Park in Brentwood. Despite not having a home field, the Lady Bisons are one of six teams qualified for the Atlantic Sun Conference Softball Championships next week in Boca Raton, Fla.

"Our goal is to show the world that we can have a quality NCAA Division I program at a school with a very distinct and very real Christian mission," Potts said. "A facility like this will help to make that possible."

A number of dignitaries were on hand including members of the Lipscomb Board of Trust. Butch Stinson, who reports to the board on athletics, told the crowd that the new field would help the softball program grow to an even higher level.

Craig Hartline, who married Mary Pat Draper after the two met while students at Lipscomb, spoke for the family.

"I like the name Draper Diamond," Hartline said. "It is lyrical. The Drapers have sold hundreds and even thousands of  diamond rings to students at Lipscomb through the years. I miss Bob Draper. I miss his wisdom. I miss his knowledge. What a fine way to honor this family."

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