Media Contact: Kevin Farris, 615-279-5862
Lipscomb University has hired Jenger Burchett Parrish, a former Vanderbilt University All-SEC standout, as its new head coach of the women''s soccer team.
"This is a young program and you need enthusiasm and excitement to lead a young program," said Parrish. "That's exactly what I can bring to Lipscomb."
Her broad range of experience and winning track record in soccer made the decision to hire Parrish an easy one for Lipscomb Director of Athletics Dr. Steve Potts.
"I'm thrilled that Jenger has accepted the challenge of building our Women's Soccer program to a competitive level in the NCAA Division I and, soon, in the Atlantic Sun Conference," said Potts. "Jenger's knowledge of, and passion for, the game of soccer is outstanding. Her honors and accomplishments during her career at Franklin High and Vanderbilt University speak for themselves. Most importantly, Jenger shares our commitment to the Christian mission of Lipscomb University and she will be a true role model for our student-athletes."
Parrish played at Vanderbilt from 1993-96 and was named first-team All-SEC three times. She is second on the all-time points list in Vanderbilt history with 98. Parrish, a native of Franklin, TN, was named to the All-SEC Tournament team in 1993 and 1994 and made Academic All-SEC in 1996. Parrish was a three-time All-American at Franklin High School, playing on four consecutive state title teams.
Parrish currently coaches middle school soccer and softball at Battle Ground Academy in Franklin, TN, and is coach of the Tennessee Football Club's Premier and Classic girls' teams which each won state championships in 2000 and 2001.
Having both played and coached soccer, it is not surprising to find that soccer runs in her genes. Her father, Jimmy Burchett, is the long-time highly successful girls' soccer coach at Franklin High School. Her twin sister, Jennifer, also an All-SEC performer at Vanderbilt, is married to Matt Granstrand, the assistant soccer coach at the University of Oklahoma. Her husband, Keith, is the boys' soccer coach at Franklin High School.
"Soccer is something that I enjoy," said Parrish. "There are so many people around me in my family that I can turn to for advice. That made it an easy decision for me to get into coaching."
Parrish takes over the reins of the Lady Bisons program from Jon Goad, who has been coaching both the Lady Bisons and Bisons teams the last three years. Goad will remain at Lipscomb as the men's head coach.
"I'm excited about coming to Lipscomb University because of its reputation and because of the goals it has - both as a school and as a soccer program," Parrish said.
Lipscomb will begin the final year of a four-year provisional membership in the NCAA Division I this fall. The school will be joining the Atlantic Sun Conference in the fall of 2003.