Battle of the Boulevard

The Battle of the Boulevard is a college basketball rivalry between Belmont University Bruins and Lipscomb University Bisons, located approximately three miles apart in Nashville, Tennessee. The series began on December 11, 1953, with Belmont winning 72–53. One of the most memorable games occurred on February 17, 1990, at Memorial Gymnasium, where Lipscomb, coached by Don Meyer, defeated Belmont 124–105 before a sellout crowd of 15,399. This NAIA-record game featured standout performances from players like Joe Behling (45 points for Belmont) and Philip Hutcheson (30 points for Lipscomb). Proceeds from the $10 tickets benefited both schools' athletic departments and Vanderbilt’s Burns Center.

The rivalry continued into NCAA Division I, with Belmont joining in 1996 and Lipscomb following in 2000. On January 27, 2004, Belmont won their first conference matchup 66–64 in overtime. In the 2006 Atlantic Sun tournament finals, Belmont again triumphed 74–69 in overtime after a dramatic late-game rally. Despite Belmont leaving the Atlantic Sun Conference before the 2012–13 season, the schools agreed to continue their annual meetings.

Key figures involved in the rivalry include current athletics directors Philip Hutcheson (Lipscomb) and Scott Corley (Belmont), both of whom played in the 1990 game. Broadcasters like Jonathan Seamon and Gregory Ruff have also contributed to the series' legacy, with Seamon inducted into the Lipscomb and NAIA Hall of Fame. The rivalry remains significant due to its geographic proximity and rich history.