Lincoln Memorial University vs. Carson-Newman College Basketball Rivalry Continues Saturday Night

The C-N Eagle statues "paid a visit" to LMU in 1959.

HARROGATE, TN - On Saturday evening, in Lincoln Memorial University's Tex Turner Arena, the LMU vs. Carson-Newman College basketball rivalry will add another chapter to it's long and storied history.

As far back as most folks alive today can remember, Lincoln Memorial University and Carson-Newman have been battling for conference championships, district titles or just plain bragging rights in men's and women's basketball. 

On the women's side, LMU owned the series in the 1920s and 30's up to when C-N dropped women's basketball in th emid 1930s.  After the sport was brought back in the 1970s Carson-Newman dominated the women's series until the Roger Vannoy coaching era began in the early 80's.  Since that time LMU and C-N have each had their up and down years. Since 2001 the series is tied at 8-8.  However, regardless of record, the rivalry is still anticipated each year by basketball fans throughout east Tennessee.

The men's series dates back in available records as far as the 1923 season.  It is believed by both institution's athletic department officials the series most likely predates the 20's but no documented confirmation has been found of the two teams meeting before that time.  The two schools have met on the basketball court at least twice a year since the 1929-30 season.  The all-time record according to LMU's sources have the Eagles currently leading the series 94-89, but LMU holds a 50-40 record in Harrogate and a 13-5 lead in the Tex Turner Arena.

Neither school competed in a conference until the formation of the Smoky Mountain Athletic Conference in 1929.  Since then, Lincoln Memorial University and Carson-Newman College have battled as arch-rivals in the Smoky Mountain Athletic Conference, the Volunteer State Athletic Conference, the Tennessee Valley Athletic Conference and currently the South Atlantic Conference. 

There are many speculations as to why the two schools became such rivals however, rest assured everyone has a story from past meetings and most fans light up when talking about the rivalry.  Stories like great plays, great games, or even instances where students from one school abscond with a mascot or statue from the other to hold hostage until the end of the game and cause the other team bad luck.

On Saturday night, Lincoln Memorial University will have the honor of hosting the first of two meetings during the 2009-10 regular season with Carson-Newman College.  The Lady Railsplitters (2-3) will tip-off at 6:00 p.m. against the undefeated Lady Eagles (7-0), while the once beaten Railsplitters (5-1) will take the floor at 8:00 p.m. against the 4-3 Carson-Newman men in the 184th recorded meeting between the two schools.

Honored guests at Saturday night's annual meeting between the two NCAA Division II institutions include LMU basketball, baseball and other alumni from the 1940's, 1950's and 1960's.  Saturday night's festivities are being sponsored by DeRoyal Industries.

Which fall sport are you looking forward to the most?