Lipscomb men’s basketball guard Jack Ingold lived into the hope all walk-ons have on Tuesday by earning a full scholarship, and his reaction to it will make you a bit misty.
Ingold, a senior from West Virginia, wrote for the school’s athletics website about wanting to play for the Bisons after a fifth-grade trip to see the campus. He’d eventually attend the school and latch on with the men’s basketball program, though not as a player at first.
After working his way up from being a team manager to a walk-on, Ingold finally saw his basketball dream come true this week.
Ingold read a note of encouragement that Lipscomb coach Lennie Acuff wrote about him during a team meeting, one that ended with the revelation of the former landing a full scholarship.
Ingold could barely get through the reading after reaching the big news before he broke down in tears and was immediately swarmed by his teammates in a heartfelt celebration.
Ever since fifth grade, senior Jack Ingold wanted to be a Lipscomb Basketball player. Through hard work and dedication, he joined the team as a Walk-On.
As of last night, he is now on a full scholarship #IntoTheStorm | #HornsUp pic.twitter.com/sCdLeUdmSv
— Lipscomb Men's Basketball (@LipscombMBB) December 19, 2024
Like, c’mon, how can you not be moved by this?
It’s always powerful to watch a walk-on be given a full scholarship, but the raw emotion in Ingold’s reaction to it will warm your heart for the rest of winter. Just the look on his face alone as he processes the reveal is a wallop.
What a cool gesture from the team to a guy who sure seems like he’s earned it and then some.
