Abbey Freese (Taylor), Longwood Women's Basketball ’08, Applies Hoops Lessons to Family and Profession
Release Date: 07/25/2024
Adrian Armstrong, Basketball ’84, Leverages Longwood Lessons to 35-year Law Career
Lancers Past
Armstrong came to Longwood as a recruited basketball player, but he struggled to balance books and ball. After one year, he was on academic probation. With the help of close friends such as teammate Ron Orr and a renewed sense of direction, Adrian applied himself. At Longwood, he was named to the Dean’s list and completed his BS in Psychology. In 1990, he earned his Juris Doctorate from Pace University (NY). Known for 10 years as the Honorable Adrian Armstrong, he now presides as a federal Judge for the Elizabeth (NJ) Immigration Court.
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Former Longwood Coach Bill Reinson Revisits 18-year college basketball journey
Lancers Past
Bill Reinson’s dream was to be a Division I Basketball Head coach. After 10 years as an assistant men’s coach at UNC-Greensboro and Longwood, he was named interim and then permanent Head coach for the Longwood women in 2010. He and the Lady Lancers shocked the Big South by advancing to the finals of the tournament in 2013, Longwood’s first year as a member. Reinson was named 2013 Virginia Women's Basketball Coach of the Year by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. He resigned as head coach in 2018 and moved back to his native Arizona. He now lives in Southside Virginia and...
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Doug Toombs ’83, Steve Crute ’93 & Fellow Bluestone High Alumni Analyze Pipeline to Longwood
Lancers Past
How did Bluestone High, a rural school of around 500 students in Mecklenburg County Va, send so many All-Americans and NBA and MLB veterans to Longwood College (Va.) (now Longwood University)? Doug Toombs, All-American Baseball player, and Steve Crute, College Division All-State Golfer, share their experiences and insight. From Jerome Kersey to Frankie Watson, Doug and Steve discuss the Bluestone to Longwood pipeline. Quotes from Carmille Barnette ’91, All-American Basketball; Michael Tucker, Longwood All-American Baseball, 12-year MLB veteran; Glenn Bugg...
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Longwood Friends/Teammates Salute Jerome Kersey on 10th Anniversary of Passing
Lancers Past
Enjoy a compilation of stories recognizing the 10th anniversary (February 18, 2015) of the death of former Longwood basketball legend and NBA standout Jerome Kersey. Featured interviews include author Kerry Eggers, fellow Bluestone High grads Doug Toombs and Steve Crute, former Longwood assistant basketball coach Mo Schoepfer, Longwood MBB teammates Mitch Walker, Orlando Turner, David Strothers, Kevin Ricks, Ron Orr, Mike Testa, John Rusevlyan, and Randy Johnson, friend Bryan Kersey, and former Longwood soccer coach and instructor Rich Posipanko.
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Troy Austin’s Foundation as Athletic Director Led to Longwood Championships
Lancers Past
For every Big South Conference trophy that Longwood wins, Troy Austin deserves at least a pat on the back. In his 12 years as athletic director and the first in the Division I era, Austin helped bring Longwood into the Big South and hired coaches that brought conference championships to Farmville. Troy Austin left Longwood and returned to his alma mater at Duke in October of 2018 as the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Internal Affairs. He now oversees all athletics fundraising for the Blue Devils as the Deputy Athletic Director for Development.
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Tripp Metzger, Longwood Baseball ’03, Educates Outside of Classroom as High School Activities Director
Lancers Past
As a left-handed pitcher for Head Coach Buddy Bolding, Tripp Metzger enjoyed working behind the scenes and fueling the success of his teammates such as MLB draftees Jeremy Knicely and LaRon Wilson. Tripp followed his father and a long line of Longwood Baseball Alumni to teach and coach in high school. The 2003 Longwood graduate describes how his high school and college coaches helped mold his own philosophy as a servant leader. Metzger is in his 11th year as the activities director at Mechanicsville High School.
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Lancers Past Podcast Celebrates 100th episode with ex-Longwood College Soccer Coach Rich Posipanko
Lancers Past
This special 100th episode highlights four years of Catching up with Longwood College and Longwood University student-athletes, coaches and administrators Lancers from the past. Rich Posipanko, featured on the second podcast in May 2020, joins host Rohn Brown as they re-live favorite episodes and unearth new stories about Cal Luther, Jerome Kersey, and more. Rohn pays tribute to his mentor and friend, former Longwood Sports Information Director, who passed away on September 26, 2024.
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Zac Watson Longwood Basketball ‘22/’24 Broadens Hoops Skills at Pro Level
Lancers Past
Zac Watson started his second professional season with BK Ventspils in the Latvian Basketball League in September 2024. Known as a 6-7 post player at Longwood, Zac reflects on the 2022 Big South Conference Championship season and his new role and development in professional basketball. As a pre-podcast bonus, Brian Rushing energizes the episode with a signature starting line-up and player introduction.
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Billy Catron and Ron Jones, Both Longwood College Baseball ’83, Re-engage After 40 Years
Lancers Past
Billy Catron and Ron Jones took similar baseball paths, but their experiences were different. The pair won a state championship at Liberty High (Bedford Co., Va.) and played on a JUCO power at Ferrum. They reunited at Longwood and shocked the baseball world by beating Valdosta State in the regionals and advancing to the 1982 NCAA DII College World Series. Billy and Ron team up for an insightful and heartfelt Lancers Past episode.
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Isaiah Wilkins, Longwood Basketball ’23, Relies on Faith and Family in Hoops Journey
Lancers Past
Isaiah Wilkins started college basketball as a 17-year freshman at Virginia Tech. After three new coaches at Tech and Wake Forest, “Chico” found his final home at Longwood. The Winston-Salem native led the Lancers to two 20-win seasons including the 2022 Big South Conference championship. After a brief stint in Luxembourg last season, Wilkins looks for his next professional basketball opportunity.
info_outlineAbbey Freese, now known as Abbey Taylor, made Longwood women’s basketball history. She was part of the first recruiting class as the university started the reclassification process to NCAA Division I. And she was on the last Lancer team coached by Hall of Famer Shirley Duncan. As a sports marketing professional, a wife, and mother of two boys, Abbey Duncan's lessons every day. She received her Masters in Sports Administration from St. Thomas University in Florida and is now the senior account executive and marketing director for Metro Group Miami.