A special weekend of events has been planned as Cumberland University prepares for Homecoming 2010 on October 2.

This year's Homecoming festivities will offer an opportunity to connect with former classmates, friends and faculty as well as members of the Lebanon community. Make plans to visit campus for a fun and event-filled, family friendly weekend! There will be something for everyone to enjoy during Homecoming 2010 - children's activities, reunions, tailgating, Bulldog football and two new events, the Dawg Dash 5K Run/Walk and the LIVE on the Lawn Homecoming Concert!

Homecoming morning kicks off with the University's inaugural Dawg Dash 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Oct. 2 with registration beginning at 7 a.m. and the start at 8 a.m. Members of the community, as well as alumni and friends, are encouraged to participate in this run/walk benefiting student scholarships. Tickets are only $15 for CU students and children ages 8 to 18 and $20 for everyone 19 and over. If you are interested in taking part in this event, please register at www.active.com.

After the Dawg Dash 5K, everyone is invited to tailgate outside of Kirk Field/Lindsey Donnell Stadium prior to the kick-off against the Blue Raiders of Lindsey Wilson College. Beginning at 11 a.m., numerous campus and community organizations will have booths set up so that guests can enjoy games, food and drinks before the Bulldogs take on the Blue Raiders. There will also be a live band and family activities for all to enjoy.

After the game, the weekend will conclude with a concert on Memorial Hall Lawn. Great bands and entertainers will perform for the first-ever LIVE on the Lawn Concert. The event begins at 5 p.m. on Oct. 2 and will feature Capitol Nashville recording artist Walker Hayes as he performs his new hit single, "Pants." Other performances will include singer/songwriter Jessica Campbell and her band, Rye Mouth, who recently had one of her songs featured on ABC's "Ugly Betty." Chris Burke, who was selected from a contest sponsored by American Songwriter Magazine, will also perform at the concert as well as two local bands affiliated with Cumberland students - Flamingo and Sleepy Eyed Fox. Feel free to bring your blankets and lawn chairs as you relax on CU's historic campus. Advance tickets for LIVE on the Lawn are available at Wilson Bank & Trust locations and through the Cumberland University Alumni Office at 615-547-1253 for $10 per person. Tickets at the gate will be $15 per person, so be sure to purchase your tickets early! The concert will be free to Cumberland students with a valid student ID and to children 10 and under. LIVE on the Lawn is presented by Cumberland University, American Songwriter Magazine and WANT Radio.

For information about any of these events or to register or purchase tickets, please contact Meredith Thomas, Alumni Relations Coordinator, via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at 615-547-1253.

For the Lebanon and Wilson County community, Homecoming 2010 represents a great time to come and see what is happening at your university. Whether you are an avid runner, enjoy watching college football or just want to relax and listen to some great music, make plans to be a part of this year's Homecoming festivities. You may be surprised by all of the improvements and enhancements taking place. For example, did you know Cumberland now has a Papa John's pizza restaurant on campus? Come by and check it out.

And the events listed above are just the tip of the iceberg ... Cumberland will also mark Homecoming Weekend with a baseball alumni game, an art exhibit and the groundbreaking ceremony for a new residence hall! Here's a complete SCHEDULE OF EVENTS. Hope to see you there, and GO 'DAWGS!

The Lebanon Sports Commission recently hosted the Continental Amateur Baseball Association (CABA) 2010 World Series Tournament for its 14 & Under league in Wilson County, and travel-related expenditures by visitors on hotels, meals, shopping and entertainment delivered an estimated overall economic impact of $650,000, according to the Wilson County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The games brought approximately 1,200 visitors into Wilson County for a week. Ten hotels in Lebanon and Mt. Juliet served as host hotels for coaches, players and their families. In addition, restaurants and retail stores in the area benefited economically from the tournament.

Ricky Rodriguez, director of the Wilson County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said, "Tourism means more than dollars and cents to local residents. Visitors pay taxes that contribute to the local economy and provide 'tax relief' for local residents. In other words, visitors to our community pay taxes so that local residents don't have to."

The tournament began on July 16, ending with championship bracket play from July 21 through 24. Games were played at Veteran's Field, Babe Ruth Field, Cumberland University, Friendship Christian School, Wilson Middle School and Wilson Central High School. Bergen Beach, of Brooklyn, NY, was this year's winning team.

A Home Run Derby and other activities at Veterans Field, followed by a fireworks display made for a night of entertainment on July 19. Activities, including a barbecue and a luau/swim night, gave players and their families from various locations a chance to interact with one another and were held at the Jimmy Floyd Family Center.

CABA has teams from 35 states and international teams from 22 countries that participate in league tournaments around the nation as well as the World Series and National Championship events. For additional information on CABA, please visit www.cababaseball.com.

Hundreds of spectators, some on shore and many on the water, swarmed to Old Hickory Lake at Mt. Juliet's Lone Branch Recreation Area over the weekend of July 10-11 to cheer on competitors in the 13th Annual Board Bonanza wakeboarding competition.

Sponsored by Aqua Sport Marine, Mastercraft, Jetpilot, Lee Tudor and the Ledford Family, the annual competition has been held at Lone Branch for the past 11 years. Focused on style and big air, Board Bonanza attracts wakeboarders from across the United States, including some from as far away as California.

Lebanon resident Tol Swindell was among the local competitors who took part in this year's event. Swindell has won several regional wakeboarding contests and, last year, he participated in the national championships in Oklahoma City and earned an invitation to the world championships in Orlando.

Although he's often competed against some of the most accomplished athletes in the adrenaline-heavy sport, Swindell said he faced "extremely" steep competition at Board Bonanza 2010.

"I was the only amateur participating this year, so I stepped up to the Outlaw Division," he said, noting the Outlaw Division is typically filled with professional wakeboarders. " ... I've got about 10 or 12 years on some of the guys who compete at that level. They're some really big-time riders."

But, as the sun set on this year's contest, Swindell found himself in third place after landing the majority of his tricks.

"I was pretty pumped about that. I rode really well. I told my wife it was the most excited I'd ever been about winning third place," he laughed.

And while he has taken home numerous trophies and awards for his skill on the water as a competitive wakeboarder, Swindell - father to two young sons - said his focus has begun to shift to teaching the next generation of "boarders."

"Both of my sons can ride, and I've taught a ton of other kids," he said. "They've started finishing on the podium in all of their competitions. They'll probably end up beating me pretty soon ... and that's an accomplishment that I really like, that I'm really proud of."

Participants in Board Bonanza are judged on three primary elements: the difficulty of tricks performed, how much "big air" they can catch and style. The crowd in attendance at the weekend competition were regularly wowed by competitors' tricks, as were the judges. Throughout the two-day event, cheers and celebratory music could be heard across Lone Branch.

According to Swindell, Board Bonanza is one of the longest-running wakeboarding competitions in Tennessee. And, he noted, the wakeboarders will return to Lone Branch with plenty of razzle-dazzle in mid-August for an event known as Wakefest.

Final Standings: Board Bonanza 2010 (Outlaw and Advanced Divisions)

Outlaw Division

• First Place - Matt Simms, Alabama
• Second Place - A.J. Racinelli, California
• Third Place - Tol Swindell, Lebanon, TN

Advanced Division

• First Place - Adam Stevens, Lebanon, TN
• Second Place - Zach Linton, Kentucky
• Third Place - Brad Riddick, Knoxville, TN

Pictured, above: Lebanon's Tol Swindell starts a run during Board Bonanza 2010 at Old Hickory Lake as spectators look on. Photo by Jason Neagle of Boarderline Media (follow link for complete photo gallery from Board Bonanza 2010).

As Tennesseans celebrate National Bike to Work Week, a new ranking shows they now have more bike friendly paths and roadways to travel. The League of American Cyclists recently announced their third annual Bicycle Friendly State (BFS) rankings. Tennessee jumped an astounding 19 spots in one year, climbing to 24th place this year from a ranking of 43rd in the 2009 report.

"I'm pleased to see this marked improvement in Tennessee's bicycle friendly ranking, but there is much work left to do," said Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner (TDOT) Gerald Nicely. "Clearly one area where improvement is needed is educating the public about safe bicycling and driving practices."

The ranking lists Tennessee as fifth in the nation for 2010 legislation, 11th for programs, 17th for infrastructure, 19th for evaluation, 27th for enforcement and 41st for education.

The Bicycle Friendly States rankings were first conducted in 2008 and are conducted annually, with all questions and methodology remaining consistent to track states' progress. The BFS rankings are based on a 95-item questionnaire that evaluates a state's commitment to bicycling and covers six key areas: legislation, policies and programs, infrastructure, education and encouragement, evaluation and planning, and enforcement. The League offers feedback and technical assistance to states in an effort to improve their ranking as well as overall conditions for bicycling.

"The improvement in Tennessee's ranking is due in large part to the better collaboration among TDOT, regional and municipal planners, legislators, advocates, and sharing of information across the state," Tom Evans, founder and Secretary/Treasurer of Bike Walk Tennessee, said. "We'll use the 2010 rankings and feedback as a guide to prioritize efforts for future improvements."

To view the 2010 BFS Rankings list, complete with BFS awards and a breakdown of how the states fared in each evaluation category, please visit www.bikeleague.org. For more information on the Bicycle Friendly States program and the state rankings, e-mail Meghan Cahill at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Pictured: A bicyclist and jogger cross a bike/pedestrian bridge in Chattanooga (image courtesy of TDOT)

The Tennessee Titans have announced the complete itinerary for Titans Caravan XIII, a regional series of school visits and free, public autograph signings beginning Monday, April 12. The annual caravan will include a pair of stops in Wilson County - a Thursday, April 15 visit to Logan's Roadhouse in Mt. Juliet and a Monday, April 19 stop at Kroger in Lebanon.

Players scheduled to attend to two Wilson County visits have yet to be announced. The Mt. Juliet visit will take place at 7 p.m., and the Lebanon visit will be held at 11 a.m. (Click here to view the complete Titans Caravan XIII itinerary).

In partnership with Titans Radio affiliates across the Mid-South, a total of 42 Caravan stops in Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama have been scheduled over a span of nearly two weeks, concluding just hours before the start of the 2010 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 22.

"It's hard to believe this is our 13th Titans Caravan," said Titans Senior Executive Vice President Steve Underwood in a press release issued by the Titans. "We've committed to it every year because there's no better way to experience the special bond that exists between this team and its fans. The Caravan allows us an opportunity to thank our supporters face to face over a large geographical area and also to touch a new generation of fans in the schools we visit."

Each day, different players headline Titans Caravan, joined by Titans mascot T-Rac, the "Voice of the Titans" Mike Keith, Titans Radio Gameday Host Larry Stone and other Titans staff members. The vast majority of Caravan visits are presented by one of nearly 70 affiliates of the Titans Radio Network, the exclusive radio home of the Titans.

Titans Caravan XIII will end with the organization's annual visit with soldiers and family members of the 101st Airborne Division and the 160th SOAR(A) of the U.S. Army at Fort Campbell, Ky. Multiple players, T-Rac and staff members will be part of five stops at the base on Thursday, April 22. Also, it will be the only stop on the Caravan to feature the Titans Cheerleaders. Later that evening, Titans decision-makers will gather at the club's home facility in Nashville for the first round of the NFL Draft.

Over the last 12 years, Titans Caravan has made over 600 stops and allowed the team to interact directly with an estimated audience well in excess of 100,000 fans. Since its beginning in 1998 as a small effort to spread goodwill through the region, the Caravan has evolved to include six full-time staffers that travel with Titans players, broadcasters and T-Rac throughout the Mid-South on a specially decorated motor coach from Premiere Transportation.

The Cumberland University Athletic Department will be sponsoring community service oriented events at six remaining home basketball games, including a canned food drive and programs for Habitat for Humanity, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Sherry’s Run.

University Medical Center's Nathan Johnson was honored with the Sandy Sandlin High School Athletic Trainer of the Year Award by the Tennessee Athletic Trainers Society at their Annual Awards Banquet held over the weekend of Jan. 16-17.

Johnson serves as a Certified Athletic Trainer for University Medical Center (UMC) in Lebanon. He is entering his ninth year in this role and has served Friendship Christian School during his tenure. According to Vince Cherry, UMC Chief Executive Officer, "We are proud that Nathan has been recognized for his efforts in our community and congratulate him on this well-deserved award."

"Nathan has enhanced and grown the sports medicine program to meet the needs of the student-athletes, coaches and administration of Friendship as well as enhance the sports medicine program at the hospital and in our community. His dedication to the profession is commendable," Cherry added.

Johnson is committed to community involvement, especially when it comes to athletics. He has been instrumental in organizing UMC's annual Sports Screenings Day, which provides comprehensive health screenings to Middle Tennessee student-athletes. He also spearheads the hospital's annual Coaches Clinic, which offers health education programs focused on athletic injuries to area coaches.

Johnson said, "I appreciate the recognition of this award; but, the true award I experience every day is the opportunity to make a difference in these young student-athletes' lives - on and off the field. Monitoring an injured student-athlete and seeing them through the healing process and back into participation in their sport is a rewarding process, especially when the athlete gets back into the game. The 'thank you' I receive for helping them get back to what it is that they love to do - which is participating in athletics - is very rewarding. I treat these kids just like I would want someone to treat my two boys."

According to Frank Mathis, PT, MOMT, Assistant Director of Physical Therapy at UMC, "I have known Nathan for nine years and have been his supervisor the last two. I have known Nathan on a professional as well as a personal level. We have worked closely on the treatment of several athletes over the years. I could not think of anyone more deserving of this award. Nathan has the respect of his colleagues, coaches and the athletes that he serves as well as their parents. He has been dedicated to his profession and the community that he serves. He has always represented the field of athletic training to the highest degree."

Johnson holds a bachelors degree in physical education with an emphasis in sports medicine from Cumberland University. He continues to be involved at Cumberland and serves as an Approved Curriculum Instructor for their Athletic Training Education Program - a position he has held for over two years. He and his wife, Danna, have two sons and make their home in DeKalb County.

On Feb. 13, Cumberland University will host rival Trevecca Nazarene University in a conference basketball game, and everyone is invited to help "Pack the Gym for Sherry's Run." Cumberland University has graciously offered to donate half the gate admission to Sherry's Run from these exciting games.

You can support this event by purchasing tickets, sharing this information with your friends and neighbors and filling the seats to help the CU Bulldogs SLAM DUNK cancer. Tickets are available from inside teller windows at the main office of Wilson Bank & Trust, located at 623 West Main Street in Lebanon, or from the Athletic Director's office at Cumberland University. Ticket prices are $5, $4 for seniors and children under 10 are free. Checks are to be made payable to Cumberland University. The women's game tips off at 2 p.m., and the men's game follows at 4 p.m.

The Sherry's Run organization will honor the 2009 Sherry's Run Team Captains and introduce the 2010 Team Chairs at half-time during the women's game and announce the 2009 Sherry's Run Volunteer of the Year during half-time of the men's game.

Participants are encouraged to "flood the gym with Sherry's Run shirts." Organizers ask that attendees show support by wearing Sherry's Run "Team" or any Sherry's Run t-shirt.

For more information, please contact Sherry's Run Board Members Tonyia Watson at 615-218-8810 or Tamara Lampsa at 615-975-1081.

The mission of Sherry's Run is to benefit those affected by cancer, with an emphasis on colon cancer. Sherry's Run is a 501 (c) (3) organization. It was started in memory of Sharon "Sherry" Patterson Whitaker, who died at the age of 44 from colon cancer. Donations are tax deductible and can be made online. Funds received serve to help those locally who suffer with cancer.

With just over six weeks until the start of the 2010 season, the excitement is building for NASCAR's return to Nashville Superspeedway. For the first time in the 10-year history of the track, Nashville will host the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series on the same weekend, April 2-3, 2010.

Fans can now reserve great seats by calling 866-RACE-TIX or online by clicking here.

The April 2-3, 2010 weekend is stacked with on-track excitement, including NASCAR Camping World Truck practice, qualifying and a battle under the lights on Friday night, followed by NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying and the race on Saturday afternoon.

The NASCAR Nationwide Series will return June 4-5, 2010 under the lights for the "Federated Auto Parts 300." The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will also make a second stop in Wilson County, Tenn. on Aug. 7, 2010 for a one-day show featuring practice, qualifying and the night race. Race tickets start at $35 for NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races and $45 for NASCAR Nationwide Series races.

Season tickets, including all three race weekends are also available at $179 for adults and just $84 for kids 12 and under. Season ticket packages include a premium reserved parking spot for each race day, the opportunity to drive on the track on "Season Ticket Holder Day" (scheduled for March 13, 2010) and a popular ALL ACCESS pass, among other amenities.

ALL ACCESS, the one-of-a-kind pass that allows fans up-close access to the NASCAR driver and crew chief pre-race meeting, pre-race access to Victory Lane, pit road and the Fan Walk in between the garage and pit road is available for all Saturday races at Nashville. ALL ACCESS is included with a season ticket or can be added to any Saturday single race ticket for $30.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 866-RACE-TIX or click here

(ARA) - There is nothing easy about trying to plan a family vacation. Besides the challenge of figuring out where to go, there is the ever-present concern of finding age-appropriate activities for the entire family.

A classic activity that has stood the test of time around the country - and sometimes can be forgotten during the vacation planning process - is miniature golf. While for some it may not be the sole reason for choosing a destination, it is an activity that never fails to please once travelers arrive at their vacation spot.  

Many of the country's top miniature golf courses were originally built in tourist destination areas such as Myrtle Beach, S.C., which is considered the unofficial  "Miniature Golf Capitol of the World."

There are as many as 50 courses on Myrtle Beach's Grand Strand, which is located on the southeast coastline of sunny South Carolina, and with more than 14 million tourists visiting each year, the facilities are always busy.

"Mini golf is great no matter your age, athletic ability or golf skills," says Bob Detwiler of the popular Hawaiian Village course in Myrtle Beach, "It's a perfect way to spend an afternoon or evening, and may even spark some friendly competition during your family vacation."  

A versatile and diverting activity for any age, miniature golf is perfect for multi-generational travel groups, family gatherings, and even couples. Its affordability adds value to the vacation and is great entertainment for everyone.

Nearly all of the Myrtle Beach area's mini golf courses are meticulously landscaped and adorned with tropical plants and flowers throughout warm-weather months. But it's each course's unique theme that sets them apart from mini golf courses found anywhere else. From man-eating dinosaurs and 40-foot tall lava-spewing volcanoes, to high seas adventures aboard pirate ships, the area's mini golf courses offer a variety of options in ultra-thematic environments.

Some vacationers have even come to enjoy mini golf so much that they've taken up the activity as a competitive sport.  Each year Myrtle Beach's Hawaiian Village plays host to the Masters National ProMiniGolf Championship in October when a slew of top mini golfers compete for the green jacket of ProMiniGolf.

"People are very intrigued by mini golf; there is a clear connection between the sport and happy memories associated with it," notes Detwiler. "More than 80 people participate in the Masters every year not only because it is competitive, but also because it's simply enjoyable and amusing for all who play."

For more information on the mini golf possibilities or to request a visitor's guide in Myrtle Beach, go to www.visitmyrtlebeach.com or call (888) Myrtle-1.

Courtesy of ARAcontent