Rushing, a 1976 graduate of Â鶹ÊÓƵ University, enters
his ninth season as head coach of the Bulldogs. Coming off one of his best
seasons ever at Â鶹ÊÓƵ with a 33-21-1 record, Rushing hopes the success will
continue into the 1997 season. The Bulldogs plan to once again participate
in the Mid-South Regional Tournament and aspire to qualify for the NAIA World
Series.
Rushing began his coaching career at South Side High School in Jackson. There he won a pair of district championships and compiled a 59-34 record. Rushing then turned his attention to the collegiate level by serving as head coach for four years at Lambuth College. 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.
As a player at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, Rushing was named the Most Valuable Player in 1976 while batting .378 and earned his third Outstanding Defensive Player award. During his playing career at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, Rushing played all nine positions, but found his talents best suited the catching spot. Rushing served as Â鶹ÊÓƵ's team captain for two seasons before heading to Memphis State University where he received a master's degree in 1980.
Rushing has compiled a 12-year coaching record of 339 wins and 262 losses (56%). His eight-year Â鶹ÊÓƵ record is 255-164 (60%). Rushing has been named TCAC Coach of the Year (1995), has led the Bulldogs to two conference tournaments, one conference co-championship, five district tournaments, and one regional tournament. He has served as Chairman of the TCAC (now TranSouth) Baseball Committe for five years.
He is married to the former Susan Clark and has three children, Amy, Jennifer, and Kelly.
Robert Gordon
Robert Gordon is joining the Â鶹ÊÓƵ coaching staff this season after spending the past two years as a player for Bulldogs. Gordon is expected to graduate in May with a bachelor of science in physical education and health. Gordon played his first two baseball seasons at Northeast Community College in Mississippi before bringing his talents to the field at Â鶹ÊÓƵ.
Gordon graduated from W. P. Daniel High School in New Albany, Mississippi, where he was a letterman in both football and baseball. While at W.P. Daniel Gordon was chosen Best Defensive Player and Most Valuable Player in baseball, as well as, being slected Best Defensive Back and All-District in football. Upon graduation from W.P. Daniel, Gordon accepted an athletic scholarship to Northeast Mississippi Community College where he played baseball for the Tigers for two seasons. At Northeast Gordon was a two-time All-State performer and named to the All-Region team. During his second season with the Tigers, he was chosen Most Valuable Player and carried the highest batting average on the roster.
For the past two season, Gordon has demonstrated his baseball talents here at Â鶹ÊÓƵ where he helped guide the Bulldogs to a runner-up conference championship title and a conference tournament championship. His senior season Gordon was selected All- TCAC, TCAC Scholar Athlete, All-Mid-South Region, and NAIA All-American.
When talking about the team this year Gordon states, "I have high expectations for this year's team. They have unlimited talent and ability and with some leadership, I think this team will be great. I will be disappointed if we are not big time contenders in this new conference."
Returning to Â鶹ÊÓƵ University as a graduate assistant, Todd Williamson will call upon his four-year playing experience at the junior college and NAIA level. Williamson played his first two collegiate seasons at Aquinas Junior College where he gained valuable baseball experience. Williamson then chose to continue his baseball career at Â鶹ÊÓƵ where he played for two more seasons. Williamson states, "Choosing Â鶹ÊÓƵ University was one of the wisest choices I have ever made because the University is really concerned about their athletes as well as their academics." Williamson completed his bachelor of science in physical education during the fall of 1996. Beginning in January, Williamson will begin to pursue a masters degree in education.
Prepping at Greenbriar High School, Williamson was an All-District performer as a junior and named Most Valuable Player of the District as a senior while playing under the guidance of his older brother. During his senior season at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, Williamson was selected a TCAC Scholar Athlete.
As for his views on the 1997 Bulldogs, Williamson states, "This team has the ability to be a great team in the new TranSouth Conference. The only thing they have to do is apply their talents to the utmost of their abilities and they should have no problem going a long way."
Last updated on January 16, 1997.