Not many Campbellsville University football recruits can say they were there the first and last time the Fighting Tigers beat rival Georgetown College, but CU's second commitment for 2010 can. Taylor County High School quarterback Lance Turpin phoned in his decision to the CU coaches Tuesday, becoming the first son of a Fighting Tiger to commit to wear the maroon and gray uniform.

"I kept my options open through the season, but (CU) stayed in touch. I love the coaching staff. Playing where my dad played, and where he was a four-year starter, that capped it off," Lance said.

Lance was 2 when his father Rod Turpin scored touchdown after touchdown to down Georgetown and win the program's first Mid-South Conference Championship on Nov. 14, 1992.

"He was always one of the first ones to run down on the field. I think it was my destiny to go over there and play," Rodney said. "I can't wait to see Lance in maroon. Coach Perry Thomas did a fantastic job recruiting him. That assembly of coaches out there is one of the finest coaching staffs in all of Kentucky today."

Lance, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound quarterback, concluded his career this fall as a two-year captain and three-year starter with 5,000 yards passing and 67 total touchdowns. Like his father did at CU, Lance set school records at Taylor County, passing for 2,100 yards and scoring 37 touchdowns his junior year en route to the Cardinals winning their first district championship.

Rodney, a Tiger running back for CU under head coach Ron Finley, once held numerous records including most yards in a game (235), most rushing touchdowns in a game (three) and most rushing yards in a career (2,338).

For the last four years, Lance has played for his head coach father, but he said there's been no pressure.

"I never really felt pressure growing up, but I've been around football all my life," Lance said. "Growing up now and going where my dad went, I'm proud of the name I come from and what my dad's done at the school. I hope to carry that on. He was a part of the first Mid-South Conference Championship and it's my goal to help bring the next one. I want both of us to have a ring."

Likewise, Rodney said he never applied pressure for Lance to attend Campbellsville.

"I think he's going to be a compliment to Campbellsville, but I haven't pushed him in any way. In my heart I wanted to see him go there and be the first second-generation Tiger football player, but it was always his decision," Rodney said. "CU really made him fell wanted and when you combine that with him growing up around the program, these coaches put the icing on the cake."

Part of the icing applied by CU head coach Perry Thomas, assistant Jim Hardy and recruiting coordinator Tim Rogers was the success of the 2009 season. CU was 0-10 in 2007 before the current staff took over. Two seasons later, the Fighting Tigers finished 7-4 and one win away from a MSC East Division title.

"From a couple of years ago, Coach Thomas has really turned things around at Campbellsville. He talks about building a winning tradition and his goals he has for a team are the same ones I want to work for and play for," said Lance, who also holds a 4.0 GPA.

Lance Turpin joins Campbellsville High School running back and defensive lineman Donovan Pittman in the CU 2010 recruiting class.

"Lance is an outstanding player, student and young man of character. He will be a great addition to our program," CU head coach Perry Thomas said. "It's always special when we can get local young men in our program. This case is made more special by Lance becoming the first second-generation Tiger football player. His dad Rodney was an all-world player for Campbellsville that went on to play professional football."