JACKSON, Tenn. – Union University Director of Athletics Mark Campbell has announced that Andy Rushing will be the interim head coach for the men’s and women’s golf programs.
According to a press release from Steven Aldridge – Union’s Associate Director of Athletics – Rushing coached the men’s golf program from 2006-2015, winning four conference championships. He started the women’s program in 2012 and coached the ladies through 2015. He will continue to teach in the Union Department of Physical Education, Wellness and Sports.
Campbell said, “Our first call was to Andy Rushing the day I found out we had an opening. Relationship is so important as a coach and Andy’s players love him. He has been successful in every arena, from football, to being our winningest baseball coach in school history, to winning championships with the golf team in his first stint from 2005–2015. I love Andy, he is a friend and I trust him to get the most out of both teams. He has been committed to this university for 36 years and our student-athletes will excel under his leadership. I am thankful to God that Andy is our leader in this very important position.”
Rushing is also the winningest baseball coach in the history of Union with over 500 wins in 17 years as head coach.
Rushing said, “I am happy to be back working with Union student-athletes. We have two very talented groups and I am excited to see what they can accomplish this season.”
Rushing most recently spent three seasons as the assistant baseball coach at Union helping the team to its only GSC Tournament Appearance in 2017. He returned to the field where he once served as head coach for 17 years, compiling 580 wins at Union. He has been a baseball head coach at the college level for 21 seasons, winning 664 total games.
Rushing was the head coach for the men’s golf head coach at Union University from 2006-2015 (nine years). Rushing also served three years as head coach for the women’s golf program that began varsity competition in the fall of 2012.
In his nine years as coach for the men’s team, Rushing’s men’s golf teams have captured five TranSouth Conference titles (2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012), including a trip to the 2010, 2011 and 2012 NAIA National Tournaments.
Rushing earned four TranSouth Conference Men’s Golf Coach of the Year awards (2006, 2008, 2010, 2011).
Prior to his golf coaching career, Rushing spent 17 seasons as head coach of the Union 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 Union, Rushing’s win total has dropped below 30 just three times (29 in 1993, 2005; 27 in 1989). Rushing, a 1976 graduate of Union University, won the TranSouth Conference regular season and tournament titles in 2002, and he also led his Bulldogs to a TranSouth regular season title in 2000. From 1999 through 2005, Rushing led the Union 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 Union 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.
Rushing has coached four college programs including football (Lambuth University), baseball, men’s golf and women’s golf (Union University). He re-started the Lambuth football program after it had been shut down since 1947. He also started the Union women’s golf program from scratch. Rushing has won conference championships in three sports (football, baseball, men’s golf). He is a member of the Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame, inducted in the spring of 2012.
As a player at Union, 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 Union, Rushing played all nine positions, but found his talents best suited the catching spot. Rushing served as Union’s team captain for two seasons before graduating Union and then heading to Memphis State University, where he received a master’s degree in 1980. Rushing is a 1972 graduate of Jackson North Side High School where he played baseball and football.
In addition to his coaching duties, Rushing has also been teaching in the Physical Education, Wellness and Sport Department at Union 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.
Women’s golf opens season
JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University women’s golf team opened their season in the Full Moon Invitational, which was played on Sep. 11th and 12th at the Timberline Golf Club in Calera, Ala. The two-round tournament was hosted by the University of Montevallo and featured seven teams and 38 golfers.
The Lady Bulldogs finished T5. Olivia Carroll T15 (78, 76). Camille Burnette T23 (79, 78). Brooklyn Verdugo T25 (74, 84). Aubrie Cagle T29 (80, 80), and Abigail Fernandez placed 34th (78, 86).
Union shot a two-round total of 793. Montevallo 1 won the tournament, while West Florida finished second, Christian Brothers third, Shorter fourth, Spring Hill T5, and Montevallo 2 seventh.
Up next for the Lady Bulldogs is the Lee University Invitational Sep. 18th-Sep. 19th in Cleveland, Tennessee.
Men’s golf opens season
JACKSON, Tenn.—The Union University men’s golf team won the Full Moon Invitational, which was played on Sep. 11th and 12th at the Timberline Golf Club in Calera, Ala. The two-round tournament was hosted by the University of Montevallo and featured eight teams and 43 golfers.
In addition to the Bulldogs winning the competition, Union’s Gray Campbell finished as medalist with a score of 134 (65, 69) after both rounds. Trace Robinson and Daniel Maybee T4, both going (71, 70). Timothy Pinkston T7 (71,71), and JJ Zimmer T17 (69,78).
Union shot a two-round total of 705. Montevallo 1 finished second, Shorter third, Trevecca T4, Christian Brothers T4, Montevallo 2 sixth, Spring Hill seventh, and Miles College eighth.
Up next for the Bulldogs is the Nova Southeastern University Invitational Oct. 1st-Oct 3rd in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
(PHOTO: Andy Rushing)
