The Union University Lady Bulldogs were recognized as Team of the Year in 1999 by the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame after their capturing of the 1998 NAIA Division I crown. The Lady Bulldogs’ championship victory was especially sweet considering their lineup was made up of freshmen and sophomores. In preparing for the start of the 1997-1998 season, the Lady Bulldogs had to overcome the loss of five seniors, including two All-Americans, from the previous year. In addition, they had to contend with the loss of Alisha Lehmkuhl, a leading player on the 1997-1998 squad, to a season-ending knee injury in only the second game. Yet hard work and dedication throughout this season by this young squad brought desired results. The Lady Bulldogs, despite some losses, never dropped below the number-three spot in conference rankings and captured their second consecutive regular season TranSouth Conference title and seventh consecutive trip to the NAIA national championships. Lopsided victories over Lipscomb University, Berry College, and Freed-Hardeman University gave Union the TranSouth Tournament title and established the Lady Bulldogs as the number-one seed in the 1998 NAIA Women’s Basketball Championships. Despite concern as to whether the young Union team could handle the pressure, they rose to the occasion, defeating Pikeville College, Montana State Northern, Oklahoma Baptist, and the University of Findlay. In the championship game opposite four-time defending national champion Southern Nazarene, the Lady Bulldogs pulled out a 73-70 victory. For his team’s 1997-1998 championship performance, Union Coach David Blackstock was recognized as NAIA Coach of the Year. Player Rose Agnoung was named TranSouth Conference Most Valuable Player, freshman April Pearson earned the Hustle Award, and Celeste Gholston and Meg Griffin took home All-Tournament honors. The Union University Lady Bulldogs showed true championship form despite being a young team and in spite of several setbacks. Their 1998 NAIA Division I national title was a source of great pride for the state of Tennessee.
