The Lee Flames Athletic Program has seen many changes in the past few months, including changes in staff positions and a brand new logo.
The biggest change to staff has been the introduction of Athletic Director John Maupin. Maupin, who has been at Lee for 15 years, was the head coach of the Lee Flames Golf team. He led the men’s team to a NCAA DII Championship in 2022 and has had two National Championship appearances with the women’s golf team.
Maupin took the role of Athletic Director after former Athletic Director Larry Carpenter made the decision to step down at the end of the spring of 2023.
Carpenter (left) and Maupin Hold the 2022 NCAA DII Golf National Championship Trophy. (Photo courtesy of Lee Athletic Communications)
“A big reason I took this job is because I love Lee and its mission as a university,” Maupin said. “I’ve been really blessed with the relationships I have with all of the coaches here so the opportunity to be in a position to [help] them and our student athletes was a big motivation for taking this job.”
Another change has been newly appointed Athletic Communications Director, Phillip Tang. Tang has been at Lee for a year and previously worked at the Office of Athletic Communications at Delta State.
Despite his short time here, Tang is passionate about the work he does.
“I think athletic communications is one of those jobs that is a lot of prep work to get ready for games, but that is what makes it fun for me,” said Tang, “You know, you're working and you’re in the front row or in the press box, you get to see everything that happens and cover all the great athletes.”
The previous director, Carman Lastoria, is now working as an associate athletic director along with Women's Basketball coach Marty Rowe.
Image courtesy @goleeflames (Instagram).
As for former Athletic Director Larry Carpenter, he is excited to step into a new role as the Special Advisor to the Athletic Director.
“My goal right now is to do anything I can to help this department and help John Maupin do a great job,” said Carpenter. “He’s off to a great start.”
Carpenter has been at Lee since 1976 and served as the Athletic Director for 28 years before stepping down from his position last year. He played basketball at Lee College until 1976, when he moved into the position of the Flame’s assistant basketball coach. Carpenter was the first ever NCCAA All-American at Lee and is a part of the Lee Hall of Fame and the Chattanooga Sports Hall of fame.
A big change for all the Flames is been the change of logo. The logo, which was formerly just a flame above the Lee Flames name, now includes a viking, which is a nod to Valor the Viking, the secondary mascot of the Lee Flames and the former main mascot. This was announced on August 2 through the Lee Flames Instagram page.
To Carpenter, the new logo is more than just a change.
“I was a Viking back when I attended Lee and played, so it’s kind of special to me but I think everybody is going to love it as well,” said Carpenter.
Select items with the new logo are available at the Lee University bookstore.
