How golfing from the upper deck at Nissan Stadium will work in 2024

Soccer and hockey have been played at Nissan Stadium, and in 2024 golf is coming to the venue that serves as the home to the Tennessee Titans.

It's a new type of golf that is sweeping the nation and you don't have to be a professional to play. It's open to the public and called Stadium Golf, and already has been played at Wrigley Field, Busch Stadium, Dodger Stadium, Coors Field and PNC Park.

Upper Deck Golf will be at Nissan Stadium March 8-9. Tee times can be booked now at upperdeckgolfing.com/nissanstadium.

As the name suggests, fans will get the chance to tee off from the upper deck at Nissan Stadium on to custom greens on the field below.

"We are always looking for unique ways to transform Nissan Stadium and offer our fans new experiences to share with friends and family," said Ashlee Stokely, Nissan Stadium vice president of stadium events and experiences. "Upper Deck Golf is the perfect partner to help execute that vision. This dynamic event provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for golfers of all skill levels.”

Each of the nine holes will range from 75 to 150 yards. Adjusted slope distances will be provided at each hole. There also will be driving, chipping and putting competitions, with prizes offered to the winners.

There will even be a clubhouse set up, along with a festival area inside the stadium. The round begins and ends at the clubhouse. VIP treatment will be available for an additional cost.

Upper Deck golf has been featured on ESPN, CBS and NBC.

Standard prices start at $79. There also will be opportunities for volunteers to participate.

Belmont cracks mid-major top 25

After claiming its sixth straight win by knocking off Middle Tennessee State on Saturday, the Belmont men's basketball team cracked the "The Other Top 25" ranking at No. 25.

The Bruins improved to 8-3 with the 75-65 win at Murphy Center.

Former Vanderbilt coach Bryce Drew has Grand Canyon University off to an 8-1 start. The Antelopes moved up six spots in this week's ranking from No. 12 to No. 6.

Former Davidson Academy post player Isaiah Shaw is a freshman at Grand Canyon. He has played in every game averaging 13.2 minutes.

Florida Atlantic is No. 1 in the ranking and Memphis is tied with San Diego State for second.

Vanderbilt transfer Malik Dia, now at Belmont, is MVC's top newcomer

Speaking of Belmont, Malik Dia, a transfer from Vanderbilt, on Monday was named the Missouri Valley Conference newcomer of the week.

Dia, a 6-foot-9 forward from Ensworth, averaged 18.5 points and 4.0 rebounds and shooting 54.0% from the field in wins over Lipscomb and MTSU. In the current winning streak, he is averaging 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game on 58% shooting.

For the third time this season, Belmont women's basketball guard Jailyn Banks was the Missouri Valley Conference freshman of the week.

The former Middle Tennessee Christian School star scored a team-high 16 points in a 70-51 win over Lipscomb. Banks has scored in double figures in seven of her first nine games at Belmont.

Taylor Zarzour, Matt Stinchcomb, Alyssa Lang to call Music City Bowl

Taylor Zarzour will return to Nashville to call the TransPerfect Music City Bowl on Dec. 30 at Nissan Stadium. Auburn will play Maryland in the 1 p.m. CT game, which will be broadcast on ABC.

Zarzour will handle the play-by-play, with Matt Stinchcomb as the analyst and Alyssa Lang the sideline reporter.

Zarzour served as host of the "Morning Show" on WNSR 560-AM/95.9-FM earlier in his career.

Brian Scott hired as Tennessee Tech offensive coordinator

New Tennessee Tech football coach Bobby Wilder hired Brian Scott as the Golden Eagles’ associate head coach and offensive coordinator.

Scott spent the last four seasons at Hampshire including the last two as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. 

Wilder and Scott worked together at Old Dominion when Wilder was the head coach and Scott was his offensive coordinator.

“We have worked together throughout our careers and (Scott) has always put together an explosive offense,” Wilder said. “He will bring an exciting brand of football to Tennessee Tech.” 

Wilder also hired John Allen Jr. as wide receivers coach. Allen was receivers coach at Connecticut in 2022.

Mark Vaughn to take over Cumberland women's basketball team

Bethel assistant women’s basketball coach Mark Vaughn will take over the Cumberland women's program at the end of the 2023-24 season. He will replace Scott Blum, who announced last week that he will step down.

"Mark understands recruiting quality players to stay competitive in the Mid-South Conference and the NAIA," Cumberland athletic director Ron Pavan said. "His goal is to own the backyard of Wilson County and the state of Tennessee, which are the best high school girls basketball programs in the U.S."Vaughn is in his fourth season at Bethel. He previously was an assistant on the men’s team at Shorter University. 

Terrence Holt, Terry Taylor and Chuck Abbott among Austin Peay athletes added to ring of honor

Football star Terrence Holt, basketball star Terry Taylor and baseball star Chuck Abbott were among 14 former athletes added to the Austin Peay Ring of Honor during halftime of the Governors’ men’s basketball game Saturday against Murray State.

Holt, who played at Maplewood, set the FCS record for single-season and career kickoff returns and ranked seventh in all-purpose yards.

Taylor became Austin Peay’s all-time scoring leader with 2,507 points, and Abbott owns the longest hitting streak in school history at 42 games.

The other athletes included Ashley Haynes (basketball), Craig Rudolph (golf), Angela Thompson (softball), Ayesha Maycock (track and field), Sheena Gooding (track and field), Noel Phillips (tennis), Susan Sheather-Kliebert (tennis), T.J. Kleynhans (tennis), Tatiana Ariza (soccer), Natalia Ariza (soccer) and Cheryl Holt (volleyball coach).  

Mauricio Antun steps down as Belmont's men's and women's tennis coach

Mauricio Antun resigned after eight seasons as the Belmont men's and women's tennis coach.

Antun, who was named conference coach of the year four times, is seeking another tennis opportunity outside of collegiate coaching. He led Belmont to NCAA championship appearances in 2021 and 2023.

Antun played at Belmont after transferring from Virginia Tech in 2013. "Both as a coach and a player, Mauricio exemplified what it means to be a Bruin," Belmont athletic director Scott Corley said. "We appreciate his contributions to Belmont athletics and wish him and his family all the best as he embarks on an exciting new endeavor outside of college coaching."

Corley appointed assistant Josh McDermott to serve as interim coach while he searches for a replacement for Antun.  If you have an item for Midstate Chatter contact Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.