A team I have been following for the bast few years finally proved it was up to snuff with the big boys. The Lindenwood University Lions are going to the NAIA national championships in Rome, Ga. and couldn’t be more pumped about it! This is the first time they have made it past the semifinals and only the second time they’ve ever been in the playoffs.
http://www.lindenwoodlions.com/
This Heart of America Conference team is unique for many reasons, but mostly because they come from a University that believes in its students enough to hold no debt. Just think if the University of Georgia employed the same theory! They wouldn’t have to charge students extra fees or worry about HOPE paying tuition. Why is this important to a football team way out in Missouri, and how is it related to public relations? I’m about to tell you…
For one, there isn’t another story like this one in the NAIA championships. The other two contenders (Carroll got knocked down by LU in the semis) have gone to the final championship for the past six or seven years. Lindenwood is new blood in what was a deep rivalry.
This makes it interesting to watch them compete and succeed, but another cool thing about Lindenwood is the way they integrate media into their sports page and Athletic Association online.
Not many colleges of this size have twitter: http://twitter.com/LU_Lions
or multiple Facebook pages: http://www.facebook.com/#/profile.php?id=1297930321&ref=search&sid=503583863.32239836..1 Add their mascot!
And if you take a second look at their Web site, you’ll see they post YouTube videos weekly of highlights from the game. You can’t imagine how long I’ve tried to get Grady College to post recaps of its events on YouTube! Thus, I am extremely proud this little Uni in Missouri was able to see the value of social media and having a presence online. It sure does make following them from Georgia a lot easier!
Way to go Lions! Rawr!
