Spring Intramural Sign-ups Begin

If throwing a bright red ball 30 mph at someone's stomach will help take your mind off the stresses of school, or if you just want to get off the couch and head outdoors, Life's spring intramural sports are where you belong.

Sign ups are now starting for dodge ball and flag football for spring quarter. Games kick off week three and will be held during the evenings on weekdays. If you don't have a team in mind, we can create groups for you. That's a great way to meet new people! Sign up today in the Department of Athletics located inside the main gym.

For students new to dodge ball and flag football, rules are available for you to take home when you sign up. If you have any questions, contact Athletics@life.edu. Let's pack the dodge ball court and the flag football field this quarter! Sign up today!

Life Suffers Defeat Against #2 Team at National Tournament

On Wednesday evening Life University staff and students crowded into a classroom in Annex C to watch Life University’s men’s basketball team take on the second ranked team at the NAIA National Championship. The result wasn’t in Life’s favor, who suffered a 9-point loss to Oklahoma Baptist University, 90-81.

The Bison led 30-28 as the teams entered the second half. Oklahoma took off with a 14-2 run, shooting 43.3 percent from the field and out-rebounding Life 46-21. Greg Brown led the Running Eagles in scoring with 19 points, followed by Tay Barber who scored 17 and JaQuan Bray with 16.

“We were very excited to make the national tournament our first year back. It is disappointing that we didn’t play as well as we hoped, but we worked our way back into the game with great 3-point shooting in the second half,” said Life University Director of Athletics John Barrett. “It was a great effort, but we came up short.”

Life University earned a bid to compete among the top 32 teams at the national tournament in Kansas City, MO. after they swept the Association of Independent Institutions’ Regional Tournament on March 8. The national tournament is a single-elimination, seven-day event comprised of qualifiers from affiliated Division 1 conferences in the NAIA.

The NAIA national tournament is recognized as college basketball’s toughest tournament and the longest running national collegiate tournament in any sport. This is Life University’s tenth appearance and has three national championship wins.

For the season, Life’s record is 23-11. Three of the team’s players have consistently ranked nationally in the top five in individual categories. Point guard Tay Barber finished the regular season leading the nation in assists, along with Life’s Greg Brown who leads the nation in steals. Jonathan Johnson is ranked third in the country in blocks, and Ken Moore finished seventh in field goal percentage.

“We are excited about what we’ve done our first year back,” said Barrett. “We have all returning players next year and we look forward to another successful season.”

Life Rugby is SUPER... league

This weekend in Dallas, Life University's rugby team played their first game as a Super League team against the Dallas Harlequins in Texas. Life conquered the Harlequins, 24-3, who were previously undefeated at home for the entirety of last season.

Just one week later Life is taking on the current Super League champions, New York Athletic Club, this Saturday at home at 2 p.m. Admission is free.

Life Basketball Sweeps Regional Tournament - On to Nationals!

On March 8, Life University's men's basketball team won the final game of the AII Regional Tournament in Orangeburg, SC. In game three, the Running Eagles defeated Crichton College, 95-81.

Life's point guard LaAbrez "Tay" Barber won the most valuable player of the tournament award, and Head Coach John Barrett was recognized as the "Coach of the Tournament."

Life swept the single-elimination, three-day tournament after conquering Lambuth University, Mountain State University and Crichton College. By winning the regional tournament, Life has earned a bid into the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City, MO., March 18-24.

Their first game is against #2 Oklahoma Baptist University on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. est. The game will be televised on Life's campus in the College of Chiropractic, room C125.

LIFE Rugby Champs Receive SL Invitation

After winning the 2008 USA Rugby Division I National Championship last May, Life University’s rugby team received an invitation to join the USA Rugby Super League, the highest level of rugby competition in the nation.

Life Rugby will play their first game as a Super League team on March 14 against the Dallas Harlequins in Texas. After just one week in their new division, Life will take on the current Super League champions, New York Athletic Club, on March 21 at home.

The Super League is a 16-team league based in major cities around the country. Being a member of the Super League will increase the level of competition for Life Rugby, who have had a difficult time scheduling teams in the past due to their unrivaled success against the competition.

“Life University is proud to become a competitor in the Super League,” said Life University President Dr. Guy F. Riekeman. “After years of hard work and dedication to the sport, they have earned this opportunity to showcase their talents and compete among the top rugby players in the nation.”

In the Super League, Life will battle against many paid professional rugby players on opposing teams. So far in the 2009 pre-season, Life has already defeated three teams in the Super League, and their only losses in the past two years were against Super League teams.

Life University’s rugby team was one of the original, founding members of the Super League division in 1997, where they competed for four years and won the national title in 2000. This is Life’s first season returning to the Super League since 2001.

“Life Rugby’s entrance into the Super League displays the University’s revitalization and dedication to excellence,” said Life Rugby Coach Scott Lawrence. “We appreciate the support from the University’s administration as we venture into our next challenge.”