Nokes honors mother, passion for sports with gift to Lipscomb Athletics

Kim Chaudoin  |  09/30/2024

Sue Nokes grew up in a family where the love of sports was as constant as the sound of a basketball bouncing on the court.

A former high school athlete and a lifelong fan, she has carried that passion throughout her career and personal life. Nokes is known for her leadership and success transforming Fortune 100 companies, including T-Mobile, Walmart.com and Asurion, to achieve breakthrough results.

A member of the Lipscomb University Board of Trustees, Nokes is a longtime supporter of Lipscomb’s College of Business, for which she serves on the dean’s advisory board and as a mentor to students.

Now, she is combining her passion for sports and her deep connection to the university by donating four new video scoreboards to Allen Arena in honor of her mother, Vivian, an all-district guard in the 1930s.

"My love for sports started with my parents," Nokes shared. "Both of them played basketball at Cannon County High School in Tennessee, and my mom was an all-district guard back in the 1930s. Sports were a huge part of our family, and I spent my childhood watching games with them.”

"I’ve done something for my father and my nephew in the past, and I wanted to do something special for my mother,” she continued. “This was the perfect way to bring all of my passions together—supporting Lipscomb, the students and the sports that have been such a big part of my life.”

“Sue Nokes exemplifies the spirit of generosity and leadership that we value so deeply at Lipscomb,” said Lipscomb President Candice McQueen. “Her support, not only through this generous gift but also through her ongoing involvement in our community, reflects her commitment to enhancing the experience for our students, athletes and fans. We are truly grateful for her support and dedication to Lipscomb."

Nokes’ gift will enhance the game-day experience for fans and student athletes alike, ensuring that Allen Arena remains a dynamic environment for Lipscomb's sports programs.

"Sue’s gift will have an immediate impact on our fans and athletes. These new video boards will enhance the game-day experience and create lasting memories for everyone who comes to Allen Arena," said Lipscomb Athletic Director Philip Hutcheson. "We are thankful for Sue’s generosity and the legacy she’s honoring through this gift."

For Nokes, this particular gift for Allen Arena was not just about upgrading facilities but also about ensuring that Lipscomb remains competitive on a national stage.

"Athletics is the front porch of any university," Nokes said. "These video boards are more than just technology upgrades. They’re about showing that we’re serious about creating a top-tier environment for our students and fans."

Despite her professional achievements, Nokes said she never forgot her desire to attend Lipscomb, a dream she was not able to pursue due to financial constraints as a young woman. That connection, however, remained strong, especially through her family ties—her sister, Tammy Nokes, and cousin, Patsy (McGee) Schroer, are Lipscomb alumni.

Nokes’ involvement with Lipscomb began when a friend invited her to speak to students in the College of Business. She soon became a regular guest speaker and was eventually asked to join the dean’s advisory board. She said her commitment to the university grew even further when she was invited to serve on the Board of Trustees.

She said she has enjoyed mentoring students and encouraging them in the business studies. Last year, she funded a leadership program, which the College of Business named the Sue Nokes Leadership Development Program in her honor. It funds the college’s experiential Aspire program. The goal of Aspire is to develop and support students who, through their character and coached skills, will make exceptional contributions to virtuous leadership in business.