Posthumously
Lisa Hutchens, a 1979 graduate of Greenfield, Tennessee High School, was the All-Time Leading Scorer for the Yellow Jackets with 2,000 points. After graduation Lisa came to Union University, where she experienced a stellar career as a Lady Bulldog. She earned NAIA All-American, All-District 24 and Volunteer State Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player honors, while graduating third in her class with a degree in health and physical education. Lisa was Union University’s first NAIA Academic All-American and still holds four school records.
After graduation at Union University, Ms. Hutchens attended the University of Memphis, formerly Memphis State University, where she earned her Master of Education Degree in 1985. She began her coaching career at Millington Central High School and later moved to South Side High School, Jackson, to lead the Lady Hawks. While at South Side she was recognized as the District 14 “Coach of the Year” for the 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons and was the Jackson Sun “Coach of the Year” for the 1988-89 seasons. She led the Lady Hawks to the only undefeated season in Madison County history.
Coach Hutchens returned to her alma mater as assistant coach of the Lady Bulldogs and served for six seasons before taking leave of absence in 1997-98 to pursue a doctorate. In her six years as an assistant coach, Hutchens was very instrumental in the success of the Lady Bulldogs. The Lady Bulldogs won the TCAC four times, made the District 24 finals four times, capturing one district title during that period. The Lady Bulldogs made the NAIA National Basketball Tournament field six times during her tenure, finishing eighth on two outings, second, sixteenth, fourth, and second. Along with Coach David Blackstock, she coached the Lady Bulldogs to the 1998 NAIA National Championship. The Lady Bulldogs won over 30 games in each of five seasons, illustrating her importance to the Lady Bulldogs success. Her jersey, #14, is one of three jerseys retired by the Union University Lady Bulldogs basketball program.
