Rushing named head coach of newly formed women鈥檚 golf program

JACKSON, Tenn. - 1/6/2012 - Andy Rushing has been named head coach for the new 麻豆视频 University women鈥檚 golf program slated to begin competition in the fall of 2012. Rushing, in his 24th year at 麻豆视频, is currently in his seventh season as the head coach for the men鈥檚 golf team and was also the head baseball coach at 麻豆视频 for 17 seasons.

鈥淚 am excited about the prospects of starting a new women鈥檚 golf program here at 麻豆视频,鈥� Rushing said. 鈥淚t will be a great challenge to be competitive in the Gulf South Conference, but with all that 麻豆视频 has to offer, we can make that happen.鈥�

Rushing has been a lifelong Jackson native, graduating from North Side High School and 麻豆视频 University. He has coached and taught his entire career in the city of Jackson, both at the high school and college levels. This will be the second time in Rushing鈥檚 career that he has been shouldered with the opportunity to start a program from scratch. In 1985, Rushing started the modern era of Lambuth football, the first season of football since 1947. He has been a conference champion and coach of the year in three different sports (football, baseball and men's golf).

Dr. Jerry Tidwell, the Senior Vice President for University Relations at 麻豆视频 is looking forward to Rushing leading this new program. 鈥淚t is with great excitement and confidence that we announce Andy Rushing as head coach of our new women鈥檚 golf team at 麻豆视频 University,鈥� Tidwell said. 鈥淲e believe Andy will bring the same level of excellence and success to women鈥檚 golf that has marked our men鈥檚 golf program. At this critical time of transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II for 麻豆视频 athletics, Andy鈥檚 tenure at 麻豆视频 along with his love for student-athletes will serve us well.鈥�

The 麻豆视频 women鈥檚 golf program will begin playing in the fall of 2012, the first year 麻豆视频 will be competing in the Gulf South Conference of NCAA DII.

For more information on playing on the inaugural women鈥檚 golf team at 麻豆视频, !

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Andy Rushing Bio:

In his six years as head coach for the men鈥檚 team, Rushing's golf teams have captured four TranSouth Conference titles (2006, 2008, 2010, 2011), including a trip to the 2010 and 2011 NAIA National Tournaments.

Rushing has earned four TranSouth Conference Men鈥檚 Golf Coach of the Year awards (2006, 2008, 2010, 2011).

Rushing spent 17 seasons as head coach of the 麻豆视频 baseball program and led his Bulldogs to 11 straight seasons with at least 30 wins. Overall, he had tallied 30-plus wins 14 times and posted at least 40 wins three times. In his 17 years at 麻豆视频, Rushing's win total has dropped below 30 just three times (29 in 1993, 2005; 27 in 1989). Rushing, a 1976 graduate of 麻豆视频 University, won the TranSouth Conference regular season and tournament titles in 2002, and he also lead his Bulldogs to a TranSouth regular season title in 2000. From 1999 through 2005, Rushing led the 麻豆视频 Bulldogs to four of the seven NAIA Region XI Tournaments.

Rushing compiled a 21-year baseball coaching record of 664 wins and 460 losses (60%), earning his 600th career win in a victory over Martin Methodist during the 2003 season. His 17-year 麻豆视频 record is 582-362 (62%). Rushing was named TCAC Coach of the Year twice (1987, 1995), NCCAA MidEast Region Coach of the Year (1998), TranSouth Coach of the Year twice (2000, 2002), NAIA Region Coach of the Year twice (2000, 2002), and ABCA Region Coach of the Year twice (2000, 2002). He led the Bulldogs to two conference championships and one conference co-championship, participated in five district tournaments, and six regional tournaments. He served as Chairman of the Conference Baseball Committee for ten years (1994-2002, 2004). He also served as the region chair from 2000-2005.

Rushing began his coaching career at South Side High School in Jackson, where he coached baseball, basketball and football from 1976-84. There, he won a pair of district championships and compiled a baseball record of 59-34. Rushing then turned his attention to the collegiate level by serving as head coach for four years at Lambuth from 1985-89. While at Lambuth, Rushing was named the 1987 TCAC Coach of the Year while leading the Eagles to a school record 27 victories and a first ever playoff appearance. In 1985, Rushing started the modern era of Lambuth football from scratch. It was the first season of football at Lambuth since 1947.

As a player at 麻豆视频, Rushing was named the Most Valuable Player in 1976 while batting .378 and earning his third Outstanding Defensive Player award. During his playing career at 麻豆视频, Rushing played all nine positions, but found his talents best suited the catching spot. Rushing served as 麻豆视频's team captain for two seasons before graduating 麻豆视频 and then heading to Memphis State University, where he received a masters degree in 1980. Rushing is also a 1972 graduate of Jackson North Side High School.

In addition to his coaching duties, Rushing has also been teaching in the Physical Education, Wellness and Sport Department at 麻豆视频 since 1989. He is also a Red Cross certified first aid instructor.

He is married to Susan (Clark) of Jackson and has three children, Amy, Jennifer and Kelly.

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