Football Program vs Sam Houston

Editor: Ryan Bomberger

Associate Editor: Todd Wetmore

Contributors: Joe Carmany, Paul Carmany, Bill Smith, Mitzi Bible, Liberty University Communications & Public Engagement, and FanWord.com

Contributing Editors: Liberty University Marketing, Kristin Conrad, Jessica Pandorf, and Lisa Iverson

PLAYER & TEAM INFORMATION

VAN W AGNER LIBERTY ATHLETICS SPONSORSHIPS

LIBERTY ATHLETICS

1971 UNIVERSITY BLVD

LAC – 2ND FL.

LYNCHBURG, VA 24515

JUSTIN MATZKER GENERAL MANAGER

KYLE SIKES

DIRECTOR OF SALES

SARAH STEENSON ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

800 THIRD AVE 28th FL. NEW YORK, NY 10022 212 699 8400

RICHARD M SCHAPS

CHAIRMAN & CEO, VAN W AGNER GROUP

JOHN MASSONI

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, VAN W AGNER GROUP

MIKE PALISI EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

MARK DONLEY CHIEF REVENUE OFFICE

DIANA LEPORE VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING & OPERATIONS

LIBERTY STORYLINES

• Liberty (4-0, 2-0 CUSA) will host fellow CUSA newcomer Sam Houston (0-4, 0-1 CUSA) this evening at Williams Stadium for the Flames’ first of four consecutive midweek contests.

• Liberty is 2-0 in its inaugural season of CUSA play and has won 10 straight games against CUSA opponents (at time of meeting) overall. No team has won its first three CUSA contests as a league member since Southern Miss started 4-0 in 1996.

• The Flames have opened the season 4-0 with four double-digit victories for the first time in program history.

• Liberty QB Kaidon Salter was named CUSA Offensive Player of the Week following each of his last two contests. He accounted for four TDs (two passing, two rushing) in Liberty’s 38-6 win at FIU on Sept. 23, matching his season average of 4.0 TDs/game this season.

• RBs Quinton Cooley and Billy Lucas each topped the 100-yard rushing mark at FIU and have helped the Flames rank No. 2 nationally for rushing this season at 271.2 yards/game.

• Turnovers have keyed Liberty’s defensive success in 2023. The Flames currently lead the nation in both interceptions (10) and turnovers gained (12), recording multiple takeaways in all four games to date.

“4 DOWNS” WITH SAM HOUSTON

1 – Thursday night will mark Liberty’s first-ever gridiron meeting with Sam Houston. The Bearkats are one of three opponents the Flames will face for the first time in 2023, along with CUSA foes Louisiana Tech (Nov. 4) and UTEP (Nov. 25). The game will match up CUSA’s only remaining unbeaten team (4-0 Liberty) with its only remaining winless squad (0-4 Sam Houston).

2 – Liberty is 2-0 to open conference play for the first time since 2016 (Big South Conference). Seven of the eight times the Flames started 2-0 or better in Big South play, they went on to win at least a share of the conference title. The last six CUSA champions all started conference play 2-0 or better.

3 – Liberty is 12-1 in October the last three seasons (2020-22), headlined by victories over Syracuse (38-21 on Oct. 17, 2020) and BYU (41-14 on Oct. 22, 2022). Sam Houston will be just the third team from Texas ever to play at Williams Stadium, joining Texas State (1990) and North Texas (2018).

4 – The Flames have scored 30+ points in each of their four games. The last time Liberty eclipsed the 30-point mark in 4+ straight games was Oct. 10-Nov. 14, 2020 (five straight). Kaidon Salter is averaging 4.0 total TDs/game this year. Malik Willis averaged 3.1 TDs/game in 2021 when he posted a Liberty-record 40 total TDs.

MILESTONE WATCH

11: LB Tyren Dupree has racked up a team-high 37 tackles through four games this season. He only needs 11 more to eclipse his previous career high of 47 stops, set in 2022.

14: After totaling 21 points during Liberty’s last two games, K Nick Brown is now within four points of 100 for his career.

18/170: QB Kaidon Salter needs 18 rushing yards and 170 passing yards to set career single-season highs in those two categories. Salter’s current season-high totals (285 rushing yards, 1,088 passing yards) were both set in 2022.

QUINTON COOLEY, RB

CLEAR BAG POLICY

In an effort to enhance fan safety and expedite entrance to Williams Stadium, Liberty University has implemented a security screening process that includes a clear bag policy. This initiative limits the size and types of bags that can be brought into the stadium by fans. Only clear tote bags that do not exceed 12”

x 6” x 12,” 1-gallon plastic freezer bags, and small handheld clutch purses (no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”) will be allowed into Williams Stadium. Liberty Athletics encourages guests to arrive at least 60 minutes prior to kickoff to avoid lines and enjoy the pregame, in-stadium activities.

ACCEPTABLE BAGS

TRUSTING THE PROCESS: BRANDON BISHOP

I couldn’t wait to put on that Joker mask, man. Let me explain.

Whenever we get a turnover on defense, the person who causes the turnover gets to wear the Joker mask.

And now, naturally, everybody on the defensive side of the ball wants to be the Joker.

It’s one of the many things I love about this football program and university.

There are high standards of excellence, but at the same point, there’s a unified and family-first culture that makes Lynchburg, Va., one of the most unique places in college football.

Liberty isn’t the first university I’ve attended. They aren’t even the second. But as I prepare for my dreams of continuing my playing career in the NFL, I can honestly say there’s no place I’d rather be.

Putting on that Joker mask after getting an interception in just my second game at Liberty reaffirmed my decision.

I can’t tell you how great it feels to make an impact on a new team so early.

OPPORTUNITY TO PROVE MYSELF

I’ve always been an LSU fan because that’s where my dad played. He was a tight end for the Tigers and went on to have a career in the NFL, so he’s been a huge influence and role model my whole life.

Growing up in Tuscaloosa, I don’t have to tell you how big college football is down there. With Coach Saban, the national championships, all the NFL players that have come out of Alabama — Alabama football is its own brand, really.

With such a prominent football presence, you might expect that there was some added pressure for me to stay home and play football at Alabama. I’d say there’s certainly some truth to that.

But I also didn’t have a long list of schools that were looking at me, as I was a little underrated coming out of high school.

In my senior year, I met with Coach Saban, and he gave me the opportunity to walk on at Alabama. At the time, it felt like the best decision for me. I greatly looked forward to being a part of one of the best football programs in the entire country.

I was locked in and ready to prove myself under Coach Saban and my hometown team.

SEEKING A FRESH START

I have nothing but great things to say about my time at Alabama.

It was a great opportunity and experience, but I grew impatient.

Standing on the sidelines and not being able to play the game I fell in love with when I was four years old just killed me inside.

I had a conversation with the coaches, and they understood my desire for a fresh start.

Coach Napier at Louisiana Lafayette gave me an opportunity, and it turned out to be a fantastic move for me. I credit a significant portion of my success to my position coach, Coach Toney.

He taught me how to be a student of the game, how to study film, and the little things that make a big difference on the field. His guidance has played a crucial role in my development as a player, both then and now.

I grew so much during the three years I was at Louisiana.

I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world, and truthfully, I thought it was where I was going to finish my college career.

But change is inevitable in this world.

Just as I sought an opportunity from Alabama to Louisiana, Coach Napier accepted an offer to become the coach at Florida after the 2021 season.

With Coach Napier and Coach Toney leaving, I entered the transfer portal again, but I knew I had to get this right.

The 2023 season was going to be my final year as a student-athlete, and with my aspirations to go to the NFL, I had to find the perfect place where I could excel both on and off the field.

NEXT STOP, LIBERTY

When I visited Liberty and met with Coach Chadwell and the other coaches, I instantly felt a sense of genuine care and a family environment.

Liberty is a Christian school, and its strong faithbased values resonated with me. I could tell that they truly cared about me as a person, and that was something that really stood out to me. After praying about it, I knew this was where I wanted to be.

At Liberty, I play multiple positions on the defense, which I absolutely love. I’m a free safety, strong safety, and nickel, so I have a lot of responsibilities on the field.

I also consider myself a leader on the team. With all the experience I’ve gained over the years, I try to be a mentor and a big brother to my teammates. I encourage them to ask me questions and seek guidance whenever they need it.

As much as I believe in my talents and everything I have to offer on the field, I know I have the ability to offer even more off the field through my leadership and the positive attitude I bring every day.

A WINNING MINDSET

I know I said it before, but there really isn’t a place I’d rather be as I wrap up my collegiate career. With this being Coach Chadwell’s first season at Liberty, and 56 new players on the roster, including myself, it feels like we’re all going through this journey together.

I can’t tell you how much fun it’s been to set a benchmark for the program for years to come.

We’re one of the best teams in the country in causing turnovers so far this season, and trust me when I tell you we’re going to continue to do that.

We went viral on social media earlier this year with our first turnover and donning the Joker mask, and we plan on wearing that mask a whole lot more the rest of the way.

Upon season’s end, I’m going to graduate in the spring with my MBA and prepare for a career in the NFL.

Following in my old man’s footsteps. I can’t say for certain what the future holds, but through all the ups and downs and transfers I made in my collegiate career, the biggest lesson I learned is to keep the faith.

There will always be challenges and moments of self-doubt, but it’s important to stay level-headed and persevere. Putting in the work and staying committed will lead to success in the end.

That mindset hasn’t failed me yet, and I know it’s going to take me where I need to go in life.

OPPONENT ROSTER

2023 SAM HOUSTON BEARKATS

LIBERTY ROSTER

2023 LIBERTY FLAMES

SAM HOUSTON STATISTICS

GAME DAY STATISTICS

2023 LIBERTY (4-0)

2023 SAM HOUSTON (0-4, 0-1 CUSA)

*CONFERENCE USA GAME

SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY AT A GLANCE

Location: Huntsville, Texas

Enrollment: ............................... 21,477

Founded: 1879

Nickname: Bearkats

Colors: ........................................ Orange & White

Conference: Conference USA

Interim President: Dr. Alisa White

Athletics Director: Bobby Williams

Did You Know?

• Named for Texas’ greatest hero, Sam Houston’s oakstudded main campus sits on 316 acres in the center of Huntsville, Texas.

• Notable Sam Houston alumni include NFL and Super Bowl XLV referee Walt Anderson, Chicago Cubs pitcher Hayden Wesneski, newscaster Dan Rather, and Navy Cross recipient and co-author of New York Times

bestseller Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 Marcus Luttrell.

• Sam Houston has 17 sports programs, seven men’s and 10 women’s. The Bearkats are a member of Conference USA.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

K.C. Keeler Head Coach Ninth Year

2 Ife Adeyi WR, Jr. Mansfield, Texas

1 Trevor Williams LB, Gr. College Station, Texas

5 Keegan Shoemaker QB, Sr. Prosper, Texas

0 Akeem Smith DL, Gr. Richmond, Va.

0 Zach Hrbacek RB, R-So. Troy, Texas

14 Kavian Gaither LB, Jr. Waco, Texas

NOTABLE ALUMNI

Liberty University prepares students in every vocation to impact the culture for Christ. Liberty graduates are sought out by employers because of their work ethic, knowledge, practical skills, and integrity. Liberty alumni have found jobs with well-known organizations such as:

SHANNON BREAM Host of “Fox News Sunday”

JOHN LUKE & MARY KATE ROBERTSON “Duck Dynasty” Personalities

DR. SAMKON GADO Ear, Nose, & Throat Surgeon; Former NFL Running Back

JEAN MANES Former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of El Salvador

WALT AIKENS Former NFL Safety

MEREDITH ANDREWS Christian Music Artist

RASHAD JENNINGS “Dancing with the Stars” Winner; Former NFL Running Back

ANTONIO GANDY-GOLDEN Former NFL Wide Receiver

BOB GOOD U.S. Congressman

CHIP SMITH NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, ATP, & PGA Athletic Trainer

JAMES MCKNIGHT Former NFL Player

MALIK WILLIS NFL Quarterback

AVERY WARLEY-TALBERT WNBA Center

SAMANTHA PONDER ESPN Sunday NFL Countdown Host

TOBYMAC Christian Music Artist

7,000+

ACRE CAMPU S 700+ PROGRAMS OF S TUDY

STUDENTS FROM ALL 50 STATES AND MORE THAN 75 COUNTRIES

ACCREDITED BY SACSCOC

PROVIDING RIGOROUS ACADEMICS WITH A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW

EQUIPPING STUDENTS

Since 1971, Liberty University has become one of the world’s largest Christian universities and has produced 250,000 alumni impacting their fields around the globe. Today, Liberty remains committed to investing in the lives of students, helping them realize their full potential, and bringing glory to God.

Liberty holds regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)* to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. In addition to regional accreditation, many programs at Liberty have earned further accreditation through industry-specific organizations. These accrediting bodies maintain rigorous standards and only recognize educational programs that represent the highest levels of excellence in their specializations.

In addition to outstanding residential programs, Liberty is a leader in online education.

COMMITMENT TO CHRISTIAN VALUES

Liberty’s unique character derives from its roots in the fundamentals of the Christian faith, as well as an abiding respect for this nation’s founding principles of limited government, individual liberty, and free enterprise. Our faculty members integrate biblical truth into every discipline while fostering a learning environment in which students are encouraged to excel.

Liberty remains on the cutting edge of higher education, providing rigorous academics without compromising its commitment to Christian values.

*Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Ga. 30033-4097 or call (404) 679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Liberty University. Normal inquiries about the institution, such as admission requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc., should be addressed directly to Liberty University.

PROVIDING RIGOROUS ACADEMICS WITH A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW

BUILT ON A SOLID FOUNDATION

Since its inception, Liberty University’s mission has been to provide a world-class educational experience with a solid Christian foundation, equipping men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills essential for success in every aspect of their lives.

Students at Liberty are prepared for more than a career — they are prepared for life. As an accredited, evangelical liberal arts institution with 15 colleges and schools and more than 700 programs of study from the certificate to the doctoral level, Liberty offers educational opportunities for students at every stage of life to develop into leaders of vision and integrity.

Liberty’s commitment to academic excellence is proven by its inclusion as a Doctoral University by the Carnegie Foundation. It is among only seven percent of schools in the country to receive this prestigious designation.

The faculty at Liberty challenge students to think critically and creatively, and to become capable men and women of character who will make a positive impact in their communities and in the world. Service to others isn’t just a concept taught in Liberty classrooms; it’s a conviction our students and alumni live out every day.

DEMOSS HALL

Housing computer labs, classrooms, lecture halls, and a rooftop terrace, the 4-story DeMoss Hall serves as one of the primary academic buildings on campus. Connected to DeMoss, the Montview Student Union features additional dining options, space for student clubs, student service centers, and a bowling alley, in addition to lounge seating and open common areas.

JERRY FALWELL LIBRARY

The 4-story Jerry Falwell Library is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, providing resources in both traditional and digital formats. Students can study in a variety of reading rooms, group study rooms, multiple balconies and terraces, and a spacious café.

RESIDENTIAL COMMONS

With the completion of the third Residential Commons in August 2017, these buildings house nearly 3,000 students. Each building features two-person rooms, private bathrooms, on-site laundry, and a coed common area, providing students with comfortable seating and televisions.

CENTER FOR NATURAL SCIENCES

Located across the lawn from the Jerry Falwell Library, the Center for Natural Sciences houses classrooms, an auditorium, and more than 30 laboratories designed for hands-on learning, including an advanced anatomy lab and a cell culture lab. The 4-story building also contains $2 million in equipment, such as a gene sequencer and GC mass spectrometer.

CENTER FOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES

Housing classrooms, a research center, and labs, the 4-story Center for Medical and Health Sciences is home to the College of Osteopathic Medicine and select programs of the School of Health Sciences.

CENTER FOR MUSIC AND THE WORSHIP ARTS

The Center for Music and the Worship Arts is split between two linked 4-story buildings and houses a concert hall capable of seating 1,600 guests. It is located along Liberty’s main academic corridor, across the courtyard from DeMoss Hall and adjacent to the Jerry Falwell Library.

FREEDOM TOWER

Completed in Fall 2017, Freedom Tower is the centerpiece of Liberty’s campus redesign. It stands on the north end of campus and houses the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity as well as spaces for special events. The tower also holds the Rawlings Scriptorium, which exhibits a collection of sacred texts, interactive screens, and a life-size replica of the Gutenberg press.

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

A 78,000-square-foot, 3-story building for the school was completed in 2019. The building includes a 500-seat auditorium, information technology labs, data centers, and the Center for Entrepreneurship. It also has a simulated stock trading room featuring glass walls, New York Stock Exchange display boards, and a real-time ticker.

UP & COMING

REBER-THOMAS DINING CENTER

The longtime dining hall has been rebuilt between Commons III and the lake beside the Jerry Falwell Library. The brand-new ReberThomas Dining Center holds around 2,700 students compared to the 2,100 capacity of the former dining hall.

JERRY FALWELL CENTER

Located directly behind and attached to the Hancock Welcome Center, this new center will honor founder Jerry Falwell Sr. as it shares the story of his life and his impact on the world. Guests will see Falwell’s legacy living on today, as the university remains committed to his original mission – Training Champions for Christ.

DONDI E. COSTIN, PH.D.

Dr. Dondi Costin began serving as Liberty University’s sixth president on July 1, 2023. He returned to Liberty, his alma mater, after five years as president of Charleston Southern University. He is a retired Major General with more than 32 years of commissioned service in a military career that culminated as a senior leader in the Pentagon, where he served as the eighteenth Air Force Chief of Chaplains.

Dr. Costin is a native of Wilmington, N.C., and was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy in 1986. He then served successively as an industrial engineer evaluating air-to-ground precision guided munitions, chief of scientific analysis on a major command headquarters staff, and assistant professor of aerospace studies at Texas Christian University. After ten years as a line officer, he became an Air Force chaplain in 1996.

An ordained Southern Baptist minister, he was endorsed by the Liberty Baptist Fellowship during his 22 years as a chaplain. His chaplain assignments included service as Air Force Basic Military Training chaplain, senior flightline chaplain for both special operations and conventional forces in England, readiness instructor/evaluator preparing Chaplain Corps personnel for worldwide deployment, Air Staff branch chief, wing chaplain in Germany, senior chaplain for the air component mission in Southwest Asia, senior chaplain for Pacific Air Forces, and Air Force Chief of Chaplains.

As Chief of Chaplains, he established guidance and provided advice on all matters pertaining to the religious and moral welfare of Air Force personnel and their families. He led an Air Force Chaplain Corps of 2,000 chaplains and Religious Affairs Airmen and was the senior pastor for more than 664,000 personnel. As chairman of the Armed Forces Chaplains Board, he advised the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff on religious, ethical, and quality-of-life concerns for the entire U.S. military.

He assumed the presidency of Charleston Southern University (CSU) immediately following his military career. The university flourished as an unapologetically Christian university under Costin’s leadership, which featured a visionary strategic plan, the university’s award-winning response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, and recognition as the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 Business of the Year.

Dr. Costin helped launch the university’s first two doctoral programs, the state’s only four-year aviation program, an engineering department consisting of three engineering concentrations, the Dewey Center for Chaplaincy, and the Strack Center for Global Leadership and Ministry. Costin also oversaw construction of the first residence hall in 30 years, a state-of-the-art engineering and science building, a world class addition to the health science building, a new student center, renovation of the CSU campus store, expansion of the campus coffee shop, and the finest private university intramural complex in South Carolina.

Under his leadership, the Limitless Campaign set CSU records for annual giving, one-year campaign giving, and Giving Day totals, while establishing the Hans A. Nielsen College of Business as CSU’s first named college. In addition, new student enrollment increased 20 percent during his tenure, and CSU Athletics enjoyed its best year in university history, finishing third in the Big South Conference Sasser Cup competition while attaining a 3.23 studentathlete cumulative GPA. He also served as president of the Big South Conference during his tenure at Charleston Southern.

Dr. Costin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in operations research from the United States Air Force Academy and graduate degrees from Liberty University (M.A. in counseling), Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (M.A. in religion), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Air Command and Staff College (Master of Military Operational Art and Science), Air War College (Master of Strategic Studies), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min in evangelism and church growth; Ph.D. in leadership).

Dr. Costin has also received the U.S. Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Americans Award and the Military Chaplains Association Distinguished Service Award as Air Force Chaplain of the Year, led his chapel team to recognition as the Air Force Outstanding Large Chapel Organization of the Year, was twice named one of Charleston’s 50 Most Influential People, has been recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and was commissioned as a Colson Fellow in 2023.

His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Gallant Unit Citation, Kosovo Campaign Medal, three Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Korean Defense Service Medal, and NATO Medal.

He has been married to Vickey for 34 years. Vickey earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from The University of Southern Mississippi and a Master of Education degree from Texas Christian University. Her career as a public elementary school music teacher spanned more than 23 years and included teaching assignments in six states.

IAN MCCAW

Ian McCaw has a vision for Liberty Athletics, and he has worked quickly to make that vision a reality since being named the department’s 11th director of athletics on Nov. 28, 2016. His vision for Liberty’s intercollegiate athletics program is to train Champions by providing a high quality student-athlete experience and achieving victory with integrity.

McCaw has lived out this mission, guiding Liberty Athletics to unparalleled success on the field, in the classroom, and in the local community in his short time on Liberty Mountain.

Heading into the 2023-24 athletics season, Liberty’s teams have captured 56 total conference titles since McCaw’s arrival on Liberty Mountain.

Under McCaw’s leadership, Liberty Athletics is the fastest growing athletics department in the country. Nearly all 20 of its NCAA Division I programs have reached new heights at the national level in the last few years.

Just this last year, Liberty captured five titles during its fifth and final year of ASUN Conference membership in 2022-23, including men’s golf, men’s indoor track & field, men’s outdoor track & field, women’s indoor track & field, and women’s outdoor track & field.

The Flames also won a BIG EAST title (field hockey) and a CCSA championship (women’s swimming & diving).

Liberty also won at least a share of the ASUN regularseason championship in five sports in 2022-23 (volleyball, women’s soccer, men’s basketball, men’s tennis, and women’s lacrosse).

The Flames ranked No. 98 in the final 2022-23 Learfield Directors’ Cup standings. Liberty has finished inside the top 100 ranking of the top collegiate athletics departments in the country each of the last three years and five times in athletics department history.

Liberty’s other top 100 national rankings include No. 70 (2020-21), No. 74 (2021-22), No. 82 (2001-02), and No. 96 (2011-12).

Under McCaw’s leadership, Liberty’s transition to the FBS ranks has been one of the most successful in NCAA history.

Liberty is one of three teams (also Appalachian State and Marshall) to become bowl eligible in each of its first four seasons after transitioning from the FCS to FBS. The Flames are 3-1 in bowl games, winning the 2019 Cure Bowl, 2020 Cure Bowl, and 2021 LendingTree Bowl titles.

Additionally, Liberty ranks third in the country in combined total wins in the last five years by its football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball teams amongst FBS programs.

The Flames have claimed 278 combined wins over the last five years, which ranks third behind Baylor (303) and Iowa (280). The Flames rank ahead of Oregon (275), UConn (267), Texas (266), Michigan (262), Alabama (261), and Houston (261).

Liberty’s success on the field during McCaw’s time on Liberty Mountain has allowed the visionary athletics director to reshape conference affiliation for the Flames.

Less than three months into his time at the head of the athletics department, McCaw helped launch Liberty into the top level of intercollegiate competition. On Feb. 16, 2017, Liberty received notification that the NCAA had approved its request to enter into a two-year Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) reclassification process.

McCaw then helped pave the way for the future of Liberty Athletics on May 17, 2018, when it was announced that 17 of the 20 NCAA Division I programs will end a 27-year run in the Big South Conference to join the ASUN Conference for the 2018-19 athletics season.

Liberty Athletics swept all three All-Sport trophies each year the conference presented the award during the Flames’ five-year run as a conference member: 2018-19, 2021-22, and 2022-23.

The league did not award any All-Sport trophies during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 athletics seasons due to the cancellation and disruption of the seasons caused by COVID-19.

Liberty claimed 90.4 percent of possible points in the Bill Bibb Trophy All-Sport trophies race (537-of-594) in 202223, finishing ahead of second-place Lipscomb (71.56 percent/453-of-633 points).

In the era of massive conference realignment, McCaw has the Flames positioned to compete in Conference USA this 2023-24 athletics season.

Conference USA is now the all-sports conference for Liberty Athletics, including the Flames’ football team that has competed as an FBS independent program since moving up to the FBS level in 2018.

Liberty’s recent success has spawned unprecedented growth in the Flames Club and record-setting football and basketball season ticket sales.

During the 2019-20 athletic season, Flames Club donations surpassed the $1 million mark for the first time in athletics department history, aided by 1,265 members.

The Flames Club more than doubled its membership total during the 2020-21 athletics season and brought in $2 million to its annual fund.

During the 2021-22 season, Flames nation once again more than doubled its support of Liberty Athletics, finishing with 4.1 million in annual fund contributions with a then department record 4,538 members.

The Flames Club reached new heights with over 5,000 dedicated members during the 2022-23 academic year, resulting in over $3 million in annual fund contributions.

Liberty’s success has not just been limited to the field of competition, as Flames student-athletes are also winning in the classroom.

Liberty’s GPA has steadily increased each year McCaw has been at the head of the Liberty Athletics Department, reaching the highest year-end total in department history with a 3.28 cumulative GPA at the end of the 2022-23 academic year.

Liberty baseball standout Aaron Anderson was selected the 2022 CoSIDA Academic All-America® Division I Baseball Team Member of the Year by College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The award is the top academic student-athlete in NCAA Division I baseball.

McCaw’s commitment to the full student-athlete experience has seen Liberty Athletics post an 88 percent Graduation Success Rate each of the last four years, matching the highest mark in recorded athletics department history.

VISION STATEMENT

Liberty Athletics trains Champions for Christ by providing a high-quality student-athlete experience and achieving victory with integrity in its intercollegiate athletics program.

GOALS

STUDENT-ATHLETE EXPERIENCE

Student-athletes will be afforded the highest quality academic, athletic, spiritual, and social experience.

CHAMPION PERFORMANCE

Each program will achieve competitive success, and Liberty will be recognized as one of the nation’s fastest rising athletics programs.

CULTURE OF INTEGRITY

The programs will demonstrate Christian commitment and integrity through service initiatives, good sporting conduct, rules compliance, gender equity, and cultural diversity.

FISCAL PERFORMANCE

Revenue streams will be enhanced and operational efficiency increased in order to operate highly competitive athletics programs.

BUILD THE BRAND

The visibility of each athletics program will be used to strengthen the Liberty brand and engage constituents in the university’s life.

DEVELOP AND EQUIP LEADERS

Liberty Athletics develops, equips, and prepares student-athletes, coaches, and staff to become Christ-centered leaders.

JAMEY CHADWELL HEAD COACH

CAREER COACHING HONORS:

2020 Walter Camp Coach of the Year

2020 Associated Press Coach of the Year

2020 The Home Depot College Football Coach of the Year

2020 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year

2020 George Munger College Coach of the Year Award

2020 Sporting News Coach of the Year

2020 CBS Sports/247Sports Coach of the Year

2020 Paul “Bear” Bryant Group of 5 2020 Conference Coach of the Year

2020 The Premier Coach of College Football by Premier Players Inc.

2020 Werner Ladder AFCA FBS Region 2 Coach of the Year

2020 Grant Teaff Coach of the Year Award (FCA)

2020 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award Finalist

2020 Lombardi Honors Coach of the Year Award Finalist

2020 Lombardi Honors Coach of the Year Award Finalist

2015 Eddie Robinson FCS National Coach of the Year Finalist

2013 Eddie Robinson FCS National Coach of the Year Finalist

2013 AFCA Region II FCS Coach of the Year

Three-time Big South Coach of the Year (2013, 2015, and 2016)

SUN BELT COACH OF THE YEAR (2020)

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

2023 – Liberty (Head Coach)

2019-22 – Coastal Carolina (Head Coach)

2018 – Coastal Carolina (Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach)

2017 – Coastal Carolina (Intern Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach)

2013-16 – Charleston Southern (Head Coach)

2012 – Delta State (Head Coach)

2009-11 – North Greenville (Head Coach)

2004-08 – Charleston Southern (Offensive Coordinator/ Recruiting Coordinator)

2000-03 – East Tennessee State (QB/RB/TE Coach)

EDUCATION: B.S., Economics (East Tennessee State, ’00), MBA (Charleston Southern, ’06)

HOMETOWN: Caryville, Tenn.

WIFE: Solmaz

CHILDREN: One son, Jameson, and two daughters, Avery and Soraya

With the Flames on the verge of moving into their firstever FBS conference and the program at its greatest heights, Liberty University hired Jamey Chadwell as the 10th head coach in the program’s history on December 4, 2022.

Unprecedented success has followed Chadwell at each of his stops during his 13-year career as a head coach at various levels of football.

Overall, Chadwell brings a 99-57 head coaching record that spans stops at North Greenville (2009-2011), Delta State (2012), Charleston Southern (2013-16), and Coastal Carolina (2017 (intern); 2019-22).

For five of the last six seasons, Chadwell has guided the rapid growth of the Coastal Carolina football program at the FBS level and in the Sun Belt Conference.

Chadwell coached the Chanticleers to first-place finishes in the Sun Belt Conference in 2020 and 2022 (tied for first in East) and a 31-6 record over the last three seasons. He helped Coastal Carolina secure its first two FBS bowl game appearances at the 2020 and 2021 Cure Bowl, including a win over Northern Illinois, 47-41, in the 2021

Tailgreeter Cure Bowl.

After guiding Coastal Carolina to an 11-0 regular season record in 2020, Chadwell was named the 2020 Walter Camp Coach of the Year, The Home Depot College Football Coach of the Year, Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year, Sporting News Coach of the Year, CBS Sports/247Sports Coach of the Year, Paul “Bear” Bryant Group of 5 2020 Conference Coach of the Year, and Grant Teaff Coach of the Year Award (FCA).

Chadwell’s Chanticleers were ranked in the top 25 Associated Press and USA Today Coaches polls for a total of 22 consecutive weeks from Oct. 18, 2020, through Nov. 7, 2021.

The Chanticleers were also ranked as high as No. 12 in the College Football Playoff rankings in 2020, which set a Sun Belt record.

With their back-to-back double-digit wins total in 2020 (11-1) and 2021 (11-2), Coastal Carolina was one of six teams at the FBS level to post back-to-back double-digit win seasons during the two-year span.

The Chanticleers (22-3) were one of 10 teams to win

20-plus games over the same period: Alabama (26-2), Louisiana (23-2), Cincinnati (22-2), Coastal Carolina (22-3), Notre Dame (21-4), BYU (21-4), Georgia (22-3), Oklahoma (20-4), Oklahoma State (20-5), and Clemson (20-5).

During the 2021 season, Coastal Carolina was one of four FBS teams to rank in the top 25 in both total offense (fifth) and total defense (25th) and one of eight teams to rank in the top 25 in both scoring offense (fifth) and scoring defense (25th).

The Chants had a total of three players pick up AllAmerica recognition in 2021, as senior tight end Isaiah Likely was named a second-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), the Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF), the Pro Football Network (PFN), and the College Football AllSIS, while also picking up 2021 Phil Steele All-American honorable mention honors.

Freshman defensive end Josaiah Stewart was named to the 2021 FWAA Freshman All-American team, The Athletic’s 2021 College Football Freshman All-American team, ESPN 2021 College Football True Freshman AllAmerican team, 2021 247Sports True Freshman AllAmerican team, and the 2021 Pro Football Network (PFN) All-American third team, while also picking up 2021 Phil Steele All-American honorable mention accolades and being named a semifinalist for the 2021 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award. Senior wideout Jaivon Heiligh was named a Phil Steele AllAmerican honorable mention.

On top of that, quarterback Grayson McCall was named the 2021 Blanchard-Rogers Trophy (S.C. Heisman) award winner and was a repeat as the 2021 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, as a total of 16 Chanticleers picked up All-Sun Belt honors. With his second-straight Conference Player of the Year honor, McCall became one of just four student-athletes in the history of the Sun Belt Conference to pick up multiple Player of the Year honors and do it in back-to-back years.

In 2020, Chadwell led the Chanticleers to the program’s first-ever Sun Belt Conference title, an 11-1 overall mark, including an 8-0 Sun Belt Conference record, and the program’s first-ever FBS postseason bowl game.

The Chanticleers posted two wins over ranked FBS opponents, the first two such victories in program history, and four wins over top 50 opponents. They were ranked as high as No. 9 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll and No. 11 in the Amway Coaches Poll, both Sun Belt Conference records.

Chadwell saw five players in Tarron Jackson (Walter Camp Football Foundation (first team), Associated Press (first team), FWAA (first team), American Football Coaches Association (first team), ESPN (first team), Reese’s Senior Bowl (first team), Phil Steele Publication (first team)), Sporting News’ (second team), CBS Sports/247Sports (second team), Senior CLASS (second-team All-American)), C.J. Brewer (Associated Press (third team)), Phil Steele Publication (honorable mention)), Grayson McCall (FWAA Freshman AllAmerican, The Athletic’s 2020 College Football Freshman All-American), Willie Lampkin (FWAA Freshman AllAmerican, ESPN College Football’s True Freshman

All-America Team, The Athletic’s 2020 College Football Freshman All-American, 247Sports True Freshman AllAmerican), and Isaiah Likely (Pro Football Focus (PFF) (second team)) all pick up All-American honors in 2020. With his first-team honors from the AP, AFCA, FWAA, and WCFF, Jackson was recognized as a consensus AllAmerican. He was also named a finalist for the Lombardi Award, the Lott IMPACT Trophy, and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy; was a Bednarik Award and William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist; and earned a spot on the Ted Hendricks Award watch list.

Jackson would go on to be drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round (191st overall pick) of the 2021 NFL Draft, becoming just the seventh Chanticleer in program history to be selected in the NFL Draft.

McCall also picked up individual national honors, as the redshirt freshman was named the 2020 Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Most Inspirational Freshman. He was also a Manning Award Finalist, a Maxwell Award semifinalist, a Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award semifinalist, and a Shaun AlexanderFWAA Freshman of the Year Award semifinalist.

Linebacker Silas Kelly was recognized as a 2020 Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year.

The team earned 16 selections to the 2020 All-Sun Belt team, including 10 first-team selections. They also secured five of the conference’s six individual awards: Player and Freshman of the Year (McCall), Defensive Player of the Year (Jackson), Newcomer of the Year (D’Jordan Strong), and Coach of the Year (Chadwell).

In Chadwell’s first year as the full-time head coach for the Chants in 2019, the Chanticleers went 5-7 overall and highlighted the season with a 12-7 win on the road at Kansas, the program’s first-ever win over a Power 5 opponent on the gridiron.

For the second-straight season, the Chants missed bowl eligibility by just one win and finished 2-6 in the Sun Belt Conference. However, the Chants were competitive all season long, as seven of their 12 games on the season were decided by one score (eight points) or less.

Chadwell remained the offensive play-caller in 2019 as the Coastal Carolina offense recorded over 400 yards of total offense five times, including a season-high 636 yards in the road win at UMass. The Chants were 23-for29 (79.3 percent) on fourth-down attempts which was the second-best percentage both nationally and in the Sun Belt, while the 23 fourth-down conversions were tied for the third-most nationally behind only Army and Navy with 26.

During the 2018 season, Chadwell served as the Chanticleers’ associate head coach under Head Coach Joe Moglia. He was a Broyles Award nominee, an award given annually to college football’s top assistant coach, serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

The Chanticleers’ offense in 2018 led the Sun Belt and ranked in the top 25 nationally in rushing yards per game, red-zone offense, time of possession, first downs, and both third- and fourth-down conversion percentage for much of the season.

Coastal Carolina finished the year ranked in the top 10 nationally in fourth-down conversion percentage (68.8), fewest penalties (52), fewest penalties per game (4.33), and fewest penalty yards (493).

Chadwell served as interim head coach during the 2017 season due to Moglia taking a medical sabbatical.

Before his days in Conway, S.C., Chadwell spent four seasons as the head coach at Charleston Southern, where he finished fourth in the FCS National Coach of the Year voting in 2015 and eighth in 2013.

He was named Big South Coach of the Year three times (2013, 2015, and 2016), led CSU to conference titles in 2015 and 2016, and guided the Buccaneers to the NCAA Division I FCS Championship Playoffs in each of his last two years.

During the 2015 and 2016 seasons, Charleston Southern was ranked in the FCS national top 25 polls for 22 consecutive weeks in addition to having a seven-week run to end the 2013 season. The Bucs finished No. 6/7 nationally in the FCS in 2015, was ranked in the FCS top 10 for nine weeks in 2016, and finished ranked No. 14/15 in the FCS final polls.

In 2016, Chadwell earned Big South Coach of the Year honors for the second-straight year and for the third time in four years, tying him for the most such accolades in conference history.

Charleston Southern ranked No. 14/15 in the FCS final polls as the Bucs beat three ranked opponents along the way. In addition to Chadwell’s recognition as the league’s coach of the year, Charleston Southern had four players named All-America while 12 earned All-Big South honors. Charleston Southern was first in the Big South in yards per rush (6.0) with the Bucs also ranking among the nation’s best in rushing offense (266.5, 6th) and scoring offense (33.0, 20th).

Charleston Southern broke through on the national stage in a big way in 2015, compiling a 10-3 overall record and a 6-0 Big South mark en route to achieving a pair of firsts — an outright conference championship and an automatic FCS Division I Championship bid.

The Bucs finished the regular season as one of just three programs to go undefeated against fellow FCS competition.

Chadwell was named a finalist for the second time for FCS National Coach of the Year, finishing fourth in the national voting, and tabbed the Big South Coach of the Year for the second time after piloting a roster that included 13 all-conference selections. The Bucs finished the year ranked a program-best sixth in the STATS FCS poll and seventh in the FCS Coaches poll after reaching the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs. CSU was 8-4 in 2014, led the country in time of possession, and ranked 16th nationally in rushing offense. The Bucs’ aggressive defense also excelled and paced the Big South in total defense, rushing defense, and pass defense.

Chadwell’s first year at Charleston Southern resulted in him being named the 2013 Big South Coach of the Year and the AFCA Region II Coach of the Year while finishing eighth in the voting for the Eddie Robinson FCS National Coach of the Year award.

Charleston Southern set a school record for wins during a 10-3 season, climbed as high as No. 12 in the FCS Coaches Poll, spent the final seven weeks of the season in the coaches poll, and finished the year ranked for the first time in school history at No. 22/24. Charleston Southern led the nation in average time of possession and was among national leaders in turnover margin and rushing offense.

During the 2012 season, Chadwell served as the head coach at Delta State, following three seasons as the head coach at North Greenville (2009-11).

After posting a 2-8 record in his first season as a head coach at North Greenville in 2009, Chadwell turned the program around in year two, going 9-3. He then led North Greenville to the NCAA DII quarterfinals with an 11-3 record in year three and the program’s first-ever national ranking, finishing the 2011 season 12th in the American Football Coaches Association DII Poll.

In 2011, North Greenville defeated every team in the South Atlantic Conference in the first year of the fouryear scheduling alliance of which North Greenville is a part.

From 2004-08, Chadwell was on staff at Charleston Southern before he was named the North Greenville head coach in 2009. He served as recruiting coordinator and offensive coordinator, helping the Buccaneers with their first-ever Big South Conference title in 2005.

Chadwell began his collegiate coaching career at his alma mater, East Tennessee State, in 2000. From 200003, the former Anderson County (Tenn.) High School star worked with the quarterbacks, tight ends, and running backs while assisting with recruiting and offensive game planning.

Chadwell was a four-year letterman at ETSU (1996-99) and was a two-year team captain for the Buccaneers. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics and business education in May 2000 from ETSU and completed his MBA from Charleston Southern in May 2006.

Chadwell is married to the former Solmaz Zarrineh, and the couple has one son, Jameson, and two daughters, Avery and Soraya.

WILLY KORN | CO-OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/QUARTERBACKS COACH

CLEMSON, ’10

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

2023 – LIBERTY (CO-OC/QB)

2019-22 – COASTAL CAROLINA (CO-OC/QB)

2017-18 – COASTAL CAROLINA (WR/KO)

2013-16 – CHARLESTON SOUTHERN (WR/ REC. COORDINATOR)

EDUCATION: BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN COMMUNICATIONS (CLEMSON, ’10)

WIFE: CHARLOTTE

CHILDREN: MAGGIE AND LUKE

HOMETOWN: LYMAN, S.C.

NEWLAND ISAAC | CO-OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/RUNNING BACKS COACH

CHARLESTON SOUTHERN, ’09 | NORTH GREENVILLE, ’11

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

2023 – LIBERTY (CO-OC/RB)

2019-22 – COASTAL CAROLINA (CO-OC/RB)

2018 – COASTAL CAROLINA (RB)

2017 – ALBANY STATE (ASST. HC/OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR)

2013-16 – CHARLESTON SOUTHERN (RB/TE)

2012 – DELTA STATE (RB)

2009-11 – NORTH GREENVILLE (RB/WR)

EDUCATION: BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION (CHARLESTON SOUTHERN, ’09); MBA (NORTH GREENVILLE, ’11)

HOMETOWN: HOPKINS, S.C.

TONY WASHINGTON | PASSING GAME COORDINATOR/WIDE RECEIVERS COACH

APPALACHIAN STATE,’13

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

2023 – LIBERTY (WR)

2022 – WEST VIRGINIA (WR)

2020-21 – COASTAL CAROLINA (WR)

2019 – LOUISVILLE (GA)

EDUCATION:

BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN TECHNOLOGY AND CONSTRUCTION

MANAGEMENT (APPALACHIAN STATE, ’13)

WIFE: TIFFANY

CHILDREN: TJ AND LANGSTON

HOMETOWN: HIGH POINT, N.C.

BILL DURKIN | OFFENSIVE LINE COACH

UMASS, ’94

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

2023 – LIBERTY (OL)

2020-22 – COASTAL CAROLINA (OL)

2018-19 – COASTAL CAROLINA (TE/OT)

2014-17 – COASTAL CAROLINA (RB)

2010-13 – BOWLING GREEN (OL)

2009 – HOFSTRA (ASST. HC/OL)

2008 – HOFSTRA (OL)

2004-07 – RICHMOND (OL)

2000-03 – RICHMOND (RB)

1997-99 – RICHMOND (TE/OT)

1995-96 – UMASS (STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING)

EDUCATION: BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN MARKETING (UMASS, ’94)

WIFE: VICTORIA

CHILDREN: RYAN AND RACHEL

HOMETOWN: FAIRFIELD, CONN.

CODY LADUTKO | TIGHT ENDS COACH

AVERETT, ’11 | COASTAL CAROLINA, ’20

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

2023 – LIBERTY (TE)

2022 – COASTAL CAROLINA (TE)

2020-21 – COASTAL CAROLINA (OFFENSIVE ANALYST)

2019-20 – COASTAL CAROLINA (OFFENSIVE GA)

2018-19 – COASTAL CAROLINA (OFFENSIVE QUALITY CONTROL)

2014-17 – DAVIDSON (WR)

EDUCATION: BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN COACHING (AVERETT, ’11), MASTER’S DEGREE IN INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY (COASTAL CAROLINA, ’20)

WIFE: LINDSAY

CHILDREN: CORA AND DEACON

HOMETOWN: HARRISBURG, N.C.

SKYLOR MAGEE | DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR/DEFENSIVE LINE COACH

SOUTHERN MISS, ’05

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

2023 – LIBERTY (CO-DC, DL)

2019-22 – COASTAL CAROLINA (DL)

2017-18 – GEORGIA STATE (DL)

2013-16 – CHARLESTON SOUTHERN (DL)

2012 – DELTA STATE (DL)

2010-12 – PETAL (MISS.) HS (DL)

2009 – NORTH GREENVILLE (CO-DC, DL)

2006-08 – NICHOLS STATE (DL)

2005 – SOUTH CAROLINA (GA)

EDUCATION: BACHELOR’S DEGREE HUMAN PERFORMANCE AND PHYSIOLOGY (SOUTHERN MISS, ’ 05)

WIFE: LESLIE

CHILDREN: KAYLA, GABBY, AND DAX

HOMETOWN: POPLARVILLE, M.S.

JOSH LINAM | LINEBACKERS COACH

UCF, ’12 | FLORIDA, ’18

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

2023 – LIBERTY (LB)

2023 – AUBURN (DEFENSIVE ANALYST)

2022 – CATAWBA COLLEGE (DC/SAFETY)

2021 – GEORGIA TECH (SENIOR DEFENSIVE ANALYST)

2019-20 – JACKSONVILLE STATE (LB)

2017-18 – TEMPLE (DEFENSIVE ANALYST/ RECRUITING)

2016 – FLORIDA (DEFENSIVE GRADUATE)

2015 – UCF (GRADUATE ASSISTANT)

2014 – HUNTINGTON COLLEGE (LB)

EDUCATION: BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN SPORTS AND FITNESS (UCF, ’ 12); MASTER’S DEGREE IN SPORT MANAGEMENT (FLORIDA, ’ 18)

WIFE: TORI

CHILDREN: NAVY AND OAKLEY

HOMETOWN: TAVARES, FLA.

DINO WAITES | CORNERBACKS COACH

CARSON-NEWMAN, ’09 | CARSON-NEWMAN, ’11

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

2023 – LIBERTY (CB)

2022 – VMI (S)

2021 – ALBANY STATE (CO-DC/S)

2012-20 – CARSON-NEWMAN (DB, WR, ST. COORDINATOR)

EDUCATION: BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN MIDDLE GRADE EDUCATION (CARSON-NEWMAN, ’ 09); MASTER’S DEGREE IN CURRICULUM STUDIES (CARSON-NEWMAN, ’11)

WIFE: MADDIE

CHILDREN: JAMES, TITUS AND ROSE

HOMETOWN: ALMA, GA.

AARON FIERBAUGH | SAFETIES COACH

AUBURN, ’ 15

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

2023 – LIBERTY (SAFETIES)

2021-22 – COASTAL CAROLINA (DEF. ANALYST, INSIDE LB)

2016-20 – SOUTH CAROLINA (DEFENSIVE QUALITY CONTROL)

2013-15 – AUBURN (STUDENT ASSISTANT)

EDUCATION: BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN MARKETING (AUBURN, ’15)

WIFE: HANNAH

HOMETOWN: FAYETTEVILLE, GA.

LINEBACKERS COACH

COACHING EXPERIENCE:

2023 – LIBERTY (ST COORD./OLB)

2021-22 – MISSOURI (SPECIAL TEAMS ANALYST)

2020 – SOUTH CAROLINA (ST COORD./DB)

2018-19 – SOUTH CAROLINA (SPECIAL TEAM ASSISTANT/NICKEL AND SAM LB)

2016-17 – SOUTH CAROLINA (DEFENSIVE ANALYST)

2015 – AUBURN (DEFENSIVE ANALYST)

2014 – FLORIDA (DEFENSIVE QC)

2013 – FLORIDA (OFFENSIVE QC)

2011-12 – KENTUCKY (GA)

2011 – NORTHWESTERN (VOLUNTEER OFFENSIVE QC)

2009-10 – NORTHERN COLORADO (LB)

2007-08 – NORTH CAROLINA (STUDENT ASSISTANT)

EDUCATION: BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY (NORTHERN COLORADO, ’ 09)

WIFE: BRITTANY

HOMETOWN: DENVER, COLO.

KYLE KRANTZ | SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR/OUTSIDE

NORTHERN COLORADO, ’09

2019 CURE BOWL

16 23

2019 FBC MORTGAGE CURE BOWL

LIBERTY 7 9 7 0 23

GEORGIA SOUTHERN 0 7 6 3 16

SCORING SUMMARY:

FIRST QUARTER

3:31 LU Huntley 57 yard pass from Calvert (Probert)

SECOND QUARTER

14:53 GS Kennedy III 10 yard run (Bass)

13:22 LU Mack 3 yard run (Probert kick failed)

1:02 LU Probert 46 yard field goal

THIRD QUARTER

12:01 LU Gandy-Golden 14 yard pass from Calvert (Probert)

6:20 GS Bass 28 yard field goal

2:49 GS Bass 30 yard field goal

FOURTH QUARTER

1:44 GS Bass 35 yard field goal

In a season that saw the offense grab most of the attention with its gaudy numbers, it was the Liberty defense that showed up in its biggest game. A stout defensive effort led Liberty to a 23-16 win over Georgia Southern, Dec. 21, in the 2019 FBC MortgageCure Bowl.

The win capped off the most memorable year in program history. Liberty completed its FBS reclassification process in August, received its first-ever bowl game invitation on Dec. 8 and walked away from Exploria Stadium with a bowl game trophy in hand.

With the victory, the Flames became the third FBS transitioning team in NCAA history to win a bowl game during their first season at the FBS level.

Flames defensive end Jessie Lemonier was named the 2019 Cure Bowl MVP, finishing the game with eight tackles, including two sacks.

SECOND

34 37

13:22

10 yard run (Barbir kick)

43 yard pass from McCall

Liberty’s Elijah James blocked a gameending field goal attempt in overtime, securing No. 23/23 Liberty’s 37-34 win over No. 9/11 Coastal Carolina in the 2020 FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl.

The Flames finished their second season of full FBS bowl eligibility with a 10-1 record, winning the FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl for the second year in a row. Liberty is just the second team (also Appalachian State) to win bowl games in each of its first two seasons of bowl eligibility following a transition from the FCS. Liberty snapped Coastal Carolina’s (11-1) 12-game winning streak, which was tied for the longest FBS winning streak in the nation, and earned its firstever win over an FBS Top 25 program.

Liberty quarterback Malik Willis was named Cure Bowl MVP after totaling 357 yards of offense and rushing for a Cure Bowl-record four touchdowns.

20 56

2021 LENDINGTREE BOWL

SCORING

LIBERTY 13 20 16 7 56

EASTERN MICHIGAN 3 7 0 10 20

SCORING SUMMARY:

FIRST QUARTER

7:48 ...... EMU ....... Ryland 27 yard field goal

3:08 LU Stubbs 54 yard pass from Willis (Beck)

2:27 LU Thomas 27 yd. interception ret. (kick failed)

SECOND QUARTER

13:01 EMU Evans 2 yard run (Ryland kick)

12:07 LU Green 34 yard run (kick failed)

6:22 LU Huntley 20 yard pass from Willis (Beck)

0:16 LU Willis 2 yard run (Beck)

THIRD QUARTER

11:02 LU Willis 35 yard run (Team rush failed)

7:08 LU Beck 43 yard field goal

2:44 LU Douglas 3 yard pass from Willis (Beck)

FOURTH QUARTER

10:48 .... LU .......... Shaa 64 yard pass from Bennett (Beck)

5:26 ...... EMU ....... Ryland 43 yard field goal

4:29 EMU Hubbard 34 yd. interception ret. (Ryland)

Liberty quarterback Malik Willis accounted for five of the Flames’ seven touchdowns on the day, leading Liberty to a convincing 56-20 win over Eastern Michigan in the 2021 LendingTree Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium.

Willis was named the LendingTree Bowl MVP after finishing the game with 289 total offensive yards (58 rushing, 231 passing). Flames running back T.J. Green, was named the LendingTree Bowl Offensive MVP and safety Skyler Thomaswas named the LendingTree Bowl Defensive MVP.

Liberty, in its third year of full FBS eligibility, earned its third straight bowl victory. The Flames join Appalachian State (2015-20) as the only teams to win bowl games in each of their first three years after transitioning to FBS from FCS.

2 JAYLON JIMMERSON Sr. | S

1 JOHNATHAN BENNETT Sr. | QB

0 BILLY LUCAS So. | RB

0 JEROME JOLLY JR. So. | LB

1 LARRY JONES III SFr. | DE

4 JAY HARDY Jr. | DT

3 JAMES JOINTER JR. R-Fr. | RB

2 VICTOR VENN R-Fr. | RB

4 CJ DANIELS Jr. | WR

6 BRANDON BISHOP Sr. | DB

10 NATE HAMPTON So. | QB

11 DARIUS COPELAND Fr. | WR

9 KENDY CHARLES Sr. | DT

5 NOAH FRITH Sr. | WR

9 ELIJAH SMOOT Sr. | WR

8 JOSHUA WIGGINS R-Fr. | CB

7 KAIDON SALTER So. | QB

5 ELIJAH HOPKINS R-Fr. | CB

7 TYSHEIK GALLOWAY Jr. |DT

6 JERROL ROGERS JR. Jr. | WR

11 CJ BAZILE JR. Sr. | DE

8 TREY LOWE Sr. | QB

3 KOBE SINGLETON Jr. | CB

12 ZAK BURNETT Jo. | QB

12 MAURICE FREEMAN III Sr. | LB

PLAYER HEADSHOTS

13 AMARI WILLIAMS Jr. | DT

14 ELIJAH AUGUSTE Jr. | DB

15 BENTLEY HANSHAW Sr. | TE

16 REESE MOONEY Fr. | QB

18 CHIKE NWANKWO R-Sr. | LB

19 REESE SMITH Jr. | WR

15 BRYLAN GREEN So. | S

16 QUINTON REESE Sr. | S

17 BO BURKLOW Fr. | TE

17 BRYSON JENNINGS R-Fr. | DE

18 VICTOR JONES JR. Fr. | WR

19 MIYON CONAWAY R-Fr. | DE

21 TREON SIBLEY Sr. | WR

20 QUINTON COOLEY Jr. | RB

23 MALIK CAPER Sr. | RB

23 TJ BUSH Fr. | DE

24 VAUGHN BLUE Fr. | RB

24 PRESTON HODGE Jr. | DB

22 COLEMAN BAKER R-Fr. | WR

2O DEXTER RICKS JR. R-Fr. | CB

21 MARQUIS BELL So. | CB

22 JAYDEN SWEENEY R-Fr. | S

14 KYLEN AUSTIN Sr. | WR

13 D’WAYNE CRAWFORD Sr. | WR

25 JOSEPH CARTER So. | LB

PLAYER HEADSHOTS

43 SAM PERRY Jr. | K

42 NICK BROWN So. | K

39 RUSSIAN WILLIAMS Jr. | RB

38 TRE LAWING R-Fr. | S

33 KYLE HANKS R-Fr. | RB

30 JORDAN NORWOOD R-Fr. | LB

28 JAMAL MILES Fr. | CB

33 LAWRENCE BROWN R-Fr. | CB

34 OLAN ROBINSON Fr. | LB

35 TYREN DUPREE Sr. | LB

29 A’KHORI JONES So. | S

36 TROMONTEZ BOOKER So. | S

37 OWEN MCCONE R-Fr. | LB

38 JAYLIN BELFORD R-Fr. | RB

40 ANDERSON ST. CLAIR Fr. | TE

31 CHRISTIAN BODNAR Fr. | S

44 IKE OKOYE So. | DE

44 AUSTIN TURNER So. | LS

28 JUSTIN GIPSON So. | RB

32 JABIN FORD So. | S

26 AMARIAN WILLIAMS So. | CB

27 BRYAN WHITEHEAD II So. | DE

37 MAX MORGAN So. | P

39 DYLAN MULLINS R-Fr. | S

45 JACKSON SHIRER Jr. | DE

73 X’ZAUVEA GADLIN R-Sr. | OL

63 XAVIOR GRAY Jr. | OL

64 PHILLIP DOSS So. | OL

65 HUNTER PORTERFIELD So. | OL

70 AUSTIN ANDERSON So. | OL

61 AARON FENIMORE Fr. | OL

48 BARRETT NEWMAN Fr. | LB

49 GREY CARROLL R-So. | DE

54 CAL GRUBBS Fr. | OL

54 CAEDEN CALLAHAN R-Fr. | LB

51 HARRISON HAYES So. | OL

50 CHASE MITCHELL Jr. | OL

52 JONATHAN GRAHAM Sr. | OL

53 JORDAN WHITE Jr. | OL

55 BRENDAN SCHLITTLER Sr. | OL

55 DONOVAN DOZIER Fr. | DE

46 NICK DAYS Sr. | LB

47 RYAN MANIS Fr. | LS

48 CALEB RYAN R-Fr. | TE

74 JACOB LECATES R-Fr. | OL

75 JACK TUCKER R-So. | OL

77 TAJH BOYD Fr. | OL

78 BRIAN HANNIBAL Jr. | OL

76 JAQUAN REID So. | OL

80 COLE PETERLIN Sr. | WR

90 ELIYT NAIRNE Fr. | DT

89 JERRY MERVIL Jr. | WR

86 EDDIE OGLE Sr. | WR

87 CALEB BOTCHWAY R-Fr. | WR

88 BILLY DUROCHER Jr. | WR

92 CHRIS BOTI So. | DT

99 BRYCE DIXON So. | DT

93 RICK WEAVER Sr. | DT

91 MARIUS LANDSFELD Fr. | DT

94 NATHAN PIROLLI Fr. | DT

85 BRAYDEN BECK Jr. | TE

84 JACOB JENKINS Jr. | TE

81 MARKEL FORTENBERRY R-Fr. | WR

83 AUSTIN HENDERSON Jr. | TE

82 AARON BEDGOOD Sr. | WR

WILLIAMS STADIUM

WILLIAMS STADIUM

ON LIBERTY UNIVERSITY’S CAMPUS, NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE, AND ADJACENT TO THE HANCOCK WELCOME CENTER

FACILITIES

The Liberty Football Center, complete with coaches’ offices, locker room, equipment room, recruiting area, team lounge, weight room, and training room, is located at the north end of the stadium. Carter Tower, complete with 18 luxury suites, is located above the west bleachers. Visiting teams are provided with a full player and coaches’ locker room inside the Liberty Indoor Practice Facility.

HAKEN/CORLEY AND ASSOCIATES OF RALEIGH, N.C.

CONSTRUCTION

STEEL & CONCRETE

CONTRACTOR

MCDEVITT & STREET OF RALEIGH, N.C.

BRANCH & ASSOCIATES OF RICHMOND, VA. (2010) AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES INC. (CMA) OF LYNCHBURG, VA. (2018)

WILLIAMS STADIUM SINGLE-GAME ATTENDANCE RECORDS

LIBERTY FOOTBALL CENTER

The Liberty Football Center (LFC) is a 65,455-square-foot facility located in the north end zone at Williams Stadium that was renovated and reopened in Spring 2020. Shortly after the completion of the 2018 football season, Liberty began the renovation project to expand its football operations center that originally opened in 2006 and was known as the Football Operations Center (FOC). The recently completed renovation project added 18,000 square feet to the three-story facility.

The top floor of the newly renovated facility houses 17 offices, 10 position meeting rooms, and offensive and defensive meeting rooms, plus a 147-seat, theater-style team meeting room.

The middle floor of the building, located on ground level, includes a new locker room with 122 lockers and an attached equipment room to better service Liberty’s football players.

This floor also houses a 13,000-square-foot player’s lounge, including a nutrition center, and can accommodate up to 130 people. The area also will be used as a recruiting area during home football games.

A glass enclosed cardio workout room replaced the existing front entrance to the operations center, and the workout area overlooks the lower level.

Rounding out the new amenities of this floor is a press room for weekly press conference and postgame interviews, plus a new training room. The sports medicine area also includes 11 treatment beds, an on-site x-ray room, and hydrotherapy pools.

Closing out the facility is a state-of-theart weight room in the lower level of the operations center. The 16,000-square-foot workout space is furnished with the latest training equipment, allowing Liberty’s players to prepare themselves to excel at the highest level of college football.

As part of the football program’s FBS reclassification process, Liberty opened its newest football facility during the summer of 2017 — the Liberty University Indoor Practice Facility.

The $29 million project provides a full-size indoor football practice field, plus end zones, with a 70-foot ceiling clearance. The facility is located northeast of the Football Operations Center and adjacent to Liberty’s AstroTurf practice field.

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LIBERTY

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LIBERTY ATHLETICS CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS (SINCE 2010)

WILLIAMS STADIUM

Home of Flames Football | Capacity: 25,000+ | Opened in 1989

Renovated and expanded in 2010 and 2018, new additions in 2022

LIBERTY FOOTBALL CENTER

Base of operations for Flames Football | 65,455 square feet | Opened in 2006 Renovated in 2019-20

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY INDOOR PRACTICE FACILITY

Featuring a full-size AstroTurf practice field with end zones | 70-foot ceiling clearance Opened in 2017, hosted NFL Network and ESPN for NFL Pro Day in 2022

FOOTBALL PRACTICE FIELD

Outdoor AstroTurf field | Opened in 2007

LIBERTY ATHLETICS CENTER (LAC)

Houses Academic areas, an Olympic sport weight room, and a centralized athletic training room Holds an equipment room and a Liberty sports nutrition refueling station | Opened in Fall 2017

EAST CAMPUS FACILITY

Base of operations for Liberty Cheerleading | Opened in 2007

“AS A NASCAR CUP SERIES WINNER,

I’M USED TO PASSING THE COMPETITION ON THE RACETRACK.

And thanks to Liberty University Online Programs, I’m preparing to be competitive off the racetrack too!”

Attending Liberty University Online Programs has given William Byron the freedom to earn a degree while pursuing his NASCAR career. Liberty offers more than 700 programs of study on campus and online, from the certificate to the doctoral level.

Scan the QR code or visit Liberty.edu/24 to learn more about Liberty University and William Byron.

Follow William Byron this fall as he battles for the title in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs!

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VINES CENTER

Featuring practice courts for Flames Basketball

Opened in 1990 | Renovated and expanded in 2014, 2015, and 2020

LIBERTY ARENA

Home of Flames Basketball and Volleyball | Capacity: 4,000 | Opened in Fall 2020

BASKETBALL PRACTICE FACILITY

Base of operations for Flames Basketball

Includes 3,000-square-foot basketball performance center | Opened in 2013

LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE... Live Generously

At Liberty University, our mission of Training Champions for Christ is a calling deeply rooted in our Christian faith, and our steadfast supporters are the ones who keep this mission alive. Their unwavering commitment and generosity empower this university to raise up Champions for Christ to impact the world — and you can be part of this effort.

Studies have shown that living generously is the best way to live. Even simple acts of generosity have profound spiritual, emotional, physical, and psychological effects on those we bless and ourselves. By joining us on this incredible journey, you will experience this blessing firsthand. Your gifts will enable students to access lifechanging education that fosters their spiritual growth and develops them into the leaders of tomorrow who will carry the Gospel throughout the world.

Here at Liberty, Christ-centered men and women are gaining the values, knowledge, and skills essential for impacting the world for Christ. We invite you to join us in this important mission.

LUURTSEMA CENTER/OSBORNE STADIUM MATTHES-HOPKINS TRACK COMPLEX

Base of operations for Flames Soccer and Track & Field | 1,000 chairback seats Track completely rebuilt in 2012

LIBERTY NATATORIUM

Olympic-sized, nine-lane, 50-meter pool | Separate 17-foot-deep diving well with two springboards and three-column tower | 1,300 seating capacity with wraparound, three-side bowl seating | 75,00 square feet | Opened in 2017

LIBERTY MULTIPURPOSE CENTER

Indoor practice facility for Flames Baseball, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, and Women’s Lacrosse | Opened Winter 2023

SUPPORTING YOUR SUCCESS AT EVERY STAGE From Kindergarten to Ph.D.

Whether it is a Bible-based curriculum for K-12, flexible online degree programs, or a stunning campus with fi rst-rate facilities, Liberty meets your needs.

700+ degree programs from the certificate to doctoral level An a ordable and accredited K-12 online academy Discounts available* for:

• Service members and their spouses

• First responders

• Students whose parent(s) served honorably in the military

• LUOA graduates

• Parents of residential students

Choose your path with confidence. At every education level, Liberty o ers a Christ-centered curriculum, guidance from qualified teachers, and an environment that recognizes a student’s unique needs.

LIBERTY INDOOR TRACK COMPLEX

Home of Liberty Track & Field | Six-lane, hydraulically banked, 200-meter track Capacity: 1,500 | Opened in 2017

WORTHINGTON FIELD AT LIBERTY BASEBALL STADIUM

Home of Flames Baseball | Capacity: 2,500 chairback seats | Opened in 2013

KAMPHUIS FIELD AT LIBERTY SOFTBALL STADIUM

Home of Lady Flames Softball | Capacity: 1,000 chairback seats | Opened in 2014

Alumni Community

Reconnect with your alma mater, explore new opportunities, and thrive together within the Liberty Alumni Community.

This vibrant community — your link to Liberty — brings together alumni from all walks of life, giving you access to networking events that foster professional relationships, local Alumni Chapters, and a dedicated job board for career growth.

This is more than just an alumni group — it's a tight-knit family where Liberty stories come alive. As you reminisce about your days with Liberty, you'll also discover a community that's built on shared memories and goals. Plus, as a member of the Alumni Community, you will receive exclusive access to PerkSpot, which offers local and national discounts; find new offers in the Alumni Store; and learn about The Champion Club, our new membership program that provides unique benefits for you and helps fund scholarships for current and future Liberty students.

LIBERTY TENNIS COMPLEX

Home of Flames Tennis | Includes 12 outdoor courts and 6 indoor courts Capacity: 250 (outdoor), 100 (indoor)

EAST CAMPUS FIELD HOUSE

Home of Lady Flames Field Hockey and Lacrosse | Capacity: 750 per field Opened in 2012; renovated and expanded in 2018-19

CLARKSON CLUBHOUSE

Base of operations for Flames Golf | 4,600-square-feet | Opened in 2014

FLAMES SPIRIT AND TRADITION

THE NICKNAME

The Liberty University athletics teams have been nicknamed the Flames since 1974, when the student body chose the Flames over several other options. The decision was based upon the school’s motto, “Knowledge Aflame.”

Liberty began in 1971 as Lynchburg Baptist College with green and gold as the school’s colors. In 1976, the name was adjusted to Liberty Baptist College, and the colors were changed to red, white, and blue. The school once again changed its name in 1985 to Liberty University. However, throughout the shifts, “Flames” remained the nickname for Liberty’s athletics teams.

In 1980, the eagle was designated as the Flames’ new mascot because of the patriotic symbolism and connection with the school name. It was designed with the Flames’ nickname in mind. Thus, a flaming torch clutched in the eagle’s left talon was included in the original mascot renderings.

2022-23 YEAR IN REVIEW

Liberty captured five titles during its fifth and final year of ASUN Conference membership in 2022-23, including men’s golf, men’s indoor track & field, men’s outdoor track & field, women’s indoor track & field, and women’s outdoor track & field. The Flames also won a BIG EAST title (field hockey) and a CCSA championship (women’s swimming & diving).

Liberty won at least a share of the ASUN regular-season championship in five sports (volleyball, women’s soccer, men’s basketball, men’s tennis, and women’s lacrosse).

FOOTBALL

The Flames’ 8-5 season was headlined by a 41-14 win over BYU and the team’s first-ever SEC victory (21-19 at Arkansas) in back-toback contests. Liberty appeared in a bowl game for the fourth consecutive season, dropping a tight 21-19 contest to Toledo in the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl.

VOLLEYBALL

Liberty went 23-9, recording its most wins in a season since 2014 and earning its first ASUN regular-season title. The Lady Flames advanced to the ASUN final and made their second NIVC appearance in program history.

MEN’S SOCCER

The Flames matched a program record with six ties, one of which was a 1-1 draw at No. 20 Maryland. Marko Mitrevski made the ASUN allconference squad for the third season in a row.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

The ASUN regular-season champion Lady Flames finished 14-3-4, ending their season on a program-record 13-match unbeaten streak. ASUN Goalkeeper of the Year Ainsley Leja (10 shutouts) led Liberty to the ASUN final, where it fell to FGCU in penalty kicks.

FIELD HOCKEY

The 12-8 Lady Flames defeated No. 1 seed Old Dominion on the Monarchs’ home field to make it back-to-back BIG EAST Field Hockey Championship titles. Liberty, which saw both Bethany Dykema and Azul Iritxity Irigoyen earn All-America honors, also claimed a share of the BIG EAST regular-season championship.

CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK & FIELD

Liberty wrapped up its time in the ASUN by sweeping the conference titles in men’s and women’s indoor track & field and men’s and women’s outdoor track & field. The Flames’ conference championship streaks reached 26 in a row for men’s indoor track & field and 16 straight for men’s outdoor track & field, both of which rank as the longest active streaks in the nation. Four Flames earned All-America distinction, headlined by Kevin Nedrick. The senior placed fifth in the men’s discus to become Liberty’s first thrower ever to collect multiple All-America honors at the Division I level. Calli Doan earned the Lady Flames’ first steeplechase All-America certificate while becoming Liberty’s first ASUN Female Student-Athlete of the Year.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

The 27-9 Flames shared the ASUN regularseason title before falling at Kennesaw State in the ASUN title game. Liberty then made its inaugural NIT appearance, topping Villanova in the first round. Darius McGhee became the program’s second AP honorable mention AllAmerican after finishing as the program’s alltime leading scorer with 2,685 career points.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Liberty’s 24-9 record featured its first-ever Pac-12 triumph (at Washington) and its first win over conference rival FGCU. The Lady Flames lost to FGCU in the ASUN final before making their second consecutive WNIT appearance.

WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING

Liberty claimed its fifth straight CCSA championship, matching FGCU (2009-13) for the most consecutive CCSA titles in meet history.

MEN’S TENNIS

ASUN regular-season champion Liberty went 17-10, closing out its season with a win over Vanderbilt to capture the inaugural Universal Tennis NIT Championship title. Josh Wilson wrapped up his career with a programrecord 92 singles victories and a share of the program record for doubles triumphs (82).

WOMEN’S TENNIS

The Lady Flames’ 17-9 season included their first-ever victory over a Big Ten opponent (Michigan State). It marked Liberty’s third straight year with 17 or more victories.

WOMEN’S LACROSSE

Liberty went 12-7, including a perfect 7-0 in conference play on the way to the program’s first-ever ASUN regular-season title. The Lady Flames topped No. 21 Jacksonville for their first win over the Dolphins and their first triumph over a nationally ranked opponent, before later dropping an overtime decision to Jacksonville in the ASUN final. Lizzy Ferguson became the team’s first All-American.

MEN’S GOLF

The Flames posted a program 54-hole scoring record (53-under par 811) to win the ASUN title and make its 11th NCAA Regional appearance in the last 12 seasons. Liberty finished the year ranked No. 38 in the final Golfstat national rankings. Following the season, Isaac Simmons qualified for the U.S. Open.

BASEBALL

Facing one of the nation’s most challenging schedules, Liberty finished 27-31. The Flames advanced to the semifinals during their final ASUN Championship appearance.

SOFTBALL

The Lady Flames finished 40-22, posting their sixth consecutive full season with 40+ wins and earning their first at-large berth to the NCAA Championship. They eliminated No. 2 national seed UCLA and advanced to the final

of the NCAA Los Angeles Regional, making their third NCAA regional final appearance in program history. The Lady Flames finished the year ranked No. 25 in the last D1Softball.com National Poll.

Fans who enjoy listening to all the Flames Football action on game day will experience a new voice and new coverage options when LFSN Radio hits the airwaves for the 2023 football season.

Longtime Liberty Athletics administrator and supporter Jason Porter will join the broadcast team as an analyst. Additionally, LFSN Radio will be adding an “In The Booth” video stream, providing a unique and entertaining way to follow Liberty’s radio broadcast of Flames Football through the Liberty Flames Sports Network YouTube and Facebook pages.

Fans can listen to Liberty Football’s game day radio coverage on the statewide Journey FM radio network (Flagship station – 88.3 FM Lynchburg). Additionally, all LFSN Radio broadcasts will stream live nationally on the new Liberty Flames mobile app.

The LFSN Radio broadcast team will also get Flames Nation prepared for football with the Liberty Football Show with Jamey Chadwell. The 60-minute weekly coach’s radio show will air live from the Mellow Mushroom in Lynchburg on Thursday evenings from 7 to 8 p.m.

LFSN RADIO AFFILIATES

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY MARCHING BAND

The Liberty University Spirit of the Mountain Marching Band is an exciting part of Flames Nation and tradition. Comprised of 250 members with various majors and interests, the band is one of the largest single organizations on campus. Participation in the Marching Band enables members to continue their involvement in a quality musical program while socializing and traveling with a large cross-section of students.

The Nationally recognized Spirit of the Mountain is widely known for its colorful, drum-corps style halftime presentations and has appeared in numerous events, including the 2019 Cure Bowl, the 2021 Lending Tree Bowl, the 2022 Boca Raton Bowl, Bands of America Championships in Georgia and Virginia, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In late October, the “Spirit of the Mountain” will host nearly 40 schools as they compete for Virginia State Champion in the Virginia Marching Band Cooperative Marching Band Championships.

The Spirit of the Mountain’s 2023 halftime show is entitled “To the Moon and Back” and includes the following selections: The Final Countdown, Golden Hour, Rocket Man, Dancing in the Moonlight, Fly Me to the Moon, Talking to the Moon, Space Jam, So Will I, and Jupiter.

The band is under the direction of Liberty alum Dr. Larry Seipp, who was appointed Director of

Athletic Bands in 2022. Dr. Seipp has been a leader in music education and a band director for over 25 years. The percussion is led by Assistant Director Dr. Tommy Goddard, Josh Phillips, Josh Inabinett, Ryan Gladhill, and Micah Elder. The color guard is directed by Bryanna Boyd and McKayla Hill and assisted by Hannah Suttles. Additional staff includes Tim Fus, Kara Witt, Noah Tuckwiller, and Jordan Elliott.

The mission of Liberty University and the Liberty University Marching Band is to develop Christ-centered men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills essential to impact the world. As an ensemble of the School of Music, the Marching Band strives to support athletic events while fostering music and the arts in ways that unite the university and community through the execution of energetic performances as ambassadors of Liberty with a distinct, Christ-centered approach.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining the Liberty University Marching Band, please visit our website at liberty.edu/band for more information. Membership auditions are online and open to all incoming students — you don’t have to be a music major to join. So contact us now to become a part of this fine band. Email band@liberty.edu for more information.

SARAH (WILKERSON) ERPS

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 1997-2000

Sarah (Wilkerson) Erps’ induction into the Liberty Athletics Hall of Fame completes the enshrinement of the trio of players who established the standard of excellence for the women’s basketball program. Erps, along with her twin sister, Sharon (Wilkerson) Emory (a 2019 inductee), and Elena (Kisseleva) Bengds (an inaugural class member in 2009), helped turn a fledgling women’s basketball program that was 5-22 prior to their arrival into a team that won four straight Big South titles during their career and made the first four of the program’s 17 trips to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.

Erps is one of four players in program history to earn allconference honors all four years of their playing career and one of three Lady Flames to make four all-tournament team appearances. She still holds the program’s record for career assists (526) and three-point shooting percentage (39.7) more than two decades following her playing days.

Known for her ability to find an open teammate and dish off the assist, Erps still found her way to the basket to finish her career with 1,331 points scored, ranking in the top 10 in program history. The native of Princeton, W.Va., also ranks inside the top 10 in career free throws (345), steals (271), minutes played (3,379), and three-point field goals (104).

JONITA (RANDOLPH) JOSEPH

WOMEN’S TENNIS 2004-07

Jonita (Randolph) Joseph’s arrival on campus and her stellar play on the court for four years helped turn an upstart team into a conference-contending program year in and year out. Joseph joined the program in 2004, three years following its inaugural season when it had just eight total wins during its young history. Her immediate success earned her 2004 Big South Freshman of the Year honors and helped the Lady Flames finish the season with a 12-8 record. Primarily playing her career as Liberty’s No. 1 singles player and half of the program’s No. 1 doubles tandem, Joseph finished her career with 61 singles wins, including a pair of 20-win seasons.

Joseph was the first player in program history to earn allconference honors in singles three times in her career (2004, 2006, and 2007) and was also the program’s first three-time allconference honoree in doubles (2004, 2006, and 2007). She was named to the Big South Women’s Tennis All-Decade team (200009) in both singles and doubles while earning All-Academic honors three times (2005, 2006, and 2007) and graduating from Liberty magna cum laude.

The native of Townville, S.C., capped off her career with a banner year as a senior. She posted a 19-3 record in singles play, becoming the program’s first-ever Big South Player of the Year in 2007.

JEFF MEYER MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH 1981-97

Jeff Meyer, in his storied 16-year head coaching career, guided Liberty Men’s Basketball from the NAIA level to becoming Liberty Athletics’ premier team during its early years at the NCAA Division I level. Meyer posted a 259-206 coaching record and is the alltime winningest coach in program history.

Meyer guided the Flames to three 20-win seasons, including a 23-9 mark during his second year when his team advanced to the Elite 8 and finished fifth at the 1983 NAIA National Tournament. During his final season at Liberty, the Flames also finished with a 23-9 record and were co-Big South regular season champions.

A three-time Coach of the Year, Meyer led Liberty to its first-ever Big South Basketball Championship in 1994. The Flames then made their first appearance in the Big Dance, where they pushed No. 1 seed North Carolina for a full 40 minutes in front of a nationally televised CBS audience.

Meyer recruited and coached some of the best talent to ever represent Liberty, including two conference Players of the Year, two All-Americans, 23 allconference players, and eight players who played professionally. Following his Liberty career, Meyer served as an assistant coach at Winthrop, Butler, Missouri, Indiana, and Michigan.

During his 40-plus years of coaching, Meyer helped lead teams at six different programs to 16 NCAA Tournaments, including four appearances in the Sweet 16, three in the Elite 8, two in the Final Four, and one national championship game. Meyer totaled a combined 794 college basketball wins.

TODD PETTYJOHN

MEN’S TRACK & FIELD 1991-94

Todd Pettyjohn was Liberty’s second NCAA Division I track & field All-American, and he was part of a team that helped establish the Flames as one of the premier track & field programs in the country. As a junior, Pettyjohn set what was then the NCAA meet record with a 17-0.75 decathlon pole vault clearance. That propelled him to a ninthplace finish in the decathlon, and he earned 1993 NCAA Division I Outdoor All-America honors.

Pettyjohn was a three-time IC4A champion (1993 outdoor decathlon and pole vault; 1994 indoor pole vault) and was the inaugural outdoor men’s pole vault champion for the Big South Conference in 1994. His individual event win pushed Liberty to its first Big South outdoor track & field team title, launching a run that has resulted in nearly 30 men’s outdoor track & field conference titles since.

A hometown hero and native of Lynchburg, Va., Pettyjohn is a two-time member of the Flames’ 100-point club. He led the team with 118.0 points in 1993 and finished second with 172.0 points as a senior in 1994. Pettyjohn, who held the Liberty record in the outdoor men’s pole vault (17-6.5) for 20 years, went on to serve as an assistant coach at Liberty from 2001-04 and spent three seasons as head coach at Charleston Southern (1999-2001), where he was named the 2001 Big South Indoor Track Coach of the Year.

BRYE RAVETTINE

WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING 2011-14

Brye Ravettine’s level of excellence in and out of the pool set a standard for Liberty Women’s Swimming & Diving program that will be chased for years to come. After transferring to Liberty from Penn State, Ravettine captured a series of firsts in program history during her four years on the Mountain. She was Liberty’s first Most Outstanding Female Swimmer of the CCSA Championship (2012), first Most Outstanding Newcomer of the CCSA Championship (2011), and first CCSA Swimmer of the Year (2012). Ravettine was a driving force behind Liberty’s rapid success and led the Lady Flames to their first CCSA title in 2014.

The native of Mahwah, N.J., also helped put Liberty on the national map when she became the Lady Flames’ first All-American (honorable mention), placing 13th in the 50 freestyle at the 2012 NCAA Championships. She was also a two-time CollegeSwimming.com Mid-Major All-American (2011 — honorable mention; 2012 — first team).

Ravettine was the first Liberty swimmer to compete in the U.S. Olympic team trials (2012) and the first to score at a USA Swimming National Championship (2011 Winter Nationals). She also was a World Trails qualifier in 2013. Ravettine was a two-time CSCAA Scholar All-American (2012, 2013) and a four-time CCSA AllAcademic honoree (2011-14), graduating from Liberty magna cum laude. She was an eighttime CCSA podium finisher as an individual, including two CCSA individual event titles, and was named to the CCSA All-Decade team (2011-20).

RUPERT WRIGHT FOOTBALL 1977-80

Rupert Wright’s work in the trenches helped the offensive lineman garner national attention as an All-American while pushing his team to unprecedented success on the gridiron. Along with running back Kim Raynor, Wright was named to the 1978 Churchmen’s All-America first team, becoming Liberty’s first first-team All-American.

The four-year starter was voted Liberty’s top offensive lineman each year of his standout career. He was also named the Flames’ Offensive MVP as a sophomore in 1978. Wright helped lead the Flames to their first nine-win season in 1979 (9-1-1).

During the first half-century of the Flames Football program, Liberty has won nine or more games only five times. As a senior, Wright led the Flames in their first matchups against NCAA FCS opponents, including a Homecoming victory over Morehead State in 1980.

The native of Scottsboro, Ala., blocked for the first two players in program history to play professionally: Liberty Athletics Hall of Fame tight end Steve Kearns (Class of 2016) and quarterback Glenn Inverso (Class of 2022). After graduating from Liberty, Wright coached football in Alabama and Texas for 33 years (1981-84 – Scottsboro High School/Scottsboro, Ala.; 1985-99 – Flour Bluff High School/Corpus Christi, Texas; 2000-14 – Richard King School/Corpus Christi, Texas). He was inducted into the Jackson County Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.

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Eagle Level

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FLAMES IN THE PROS

Name/Position (Years at LU) | Team (League) Years

Aikens, Walt – CB (2011-13)

Miami Dolphins (NFL) - 2014-17

Anderson, Ben – QB (1994-97)

New York Giants (NFL) - 1998

Portland Forest Dragons (AFL) - 1999

Ajayi, Solomon – LB (2018-19)

Cleveland Browns (NFL) - 2020

Toronto Argonauts (CFL) - 2022

Banks, Fred – WR (1982-84)

Cleveland Browns (NFL) - 1985-86

Miami Dolphins (NFL) - 1987-93

Chicago Bears (NFL) - 1993

Barrie, Sebastian – DL (1990-91)

Green Bay Packers (NFL) - 1992

Arizona Cardinals (NFL) - 1993-95

San Diego Chargers (NFL) - 1995

Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) - 1996

Arizona Rattlers (AFL) - 1999-03

San Jose Sabercats (AFL) - 2004-05

Basso, Phil – QB (1981-84)

Indianapolis Colts (NFL) - 1985

Benton, Elijah – S (2016-19)

Cleveland Browns (NFL) - 2020-21

Tennessee Titans (NFL) - 2022

BC Lions (CFL) – 2022

Bolden, Dominic – WR (2005-08)

B.C. Lions (CFL) - 2010

Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL) - 2011

Brown, Jeff – DB (1979-82)

Washington Federals (USFL) - 1983-84

Brown, Mike – QB (2008-11)

Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL) - 2012-14

Carolina Panthers (NFL) - 2015

Burgess, Jonathan/OL - (2013-15)

North Coast Heat (NGL Australia) - 2016

Burns, Travis – DB (1998-01)

Norfolk Nighthawks (AFL2) - 2003

Grand Rapids Rampage (AFL) - 2004

Quad City Steamwheelers (AFL) - 2005

Butler, Anthony – LB (2020)

Indianapolis Colts (NFL) - 2021

Memphis Showboats (USFL) - 2022

Carswell, Dwayne – TE (1991-93)

Denver Broncos (NFL) - 1994-06

Clark, Steve – DB (1982-85)

Buffalo Bills (NFL) - 1987

Davis, Dominique – DL (2011-14)

Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) - 2015

K.C. Chiefs (NFL) - 2016

Degrate, Rodney – DL (1994-97)

Portland Forest Dragons (AFL) - 1999

Toronto Argonauts (CFL) - 1999

Douglas, Demario – WR (2019-22)

New England Patriots (NFL) - 2023

Edwards, Darnell – WR (2003-06)

Columbus Lions (WIFL) - 2007-08

Edwards, Kelvin – WR (1982-85)

New Orleans Saints (NFL) - 1986

Dallas Cowboys (NFL) - 1987-88

Ferguson, Markus – OL (2002-03-04-05)

Albany Conquest (AFL2) - 2007-08

Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (AFL2) - 2009

Fogg, Kevin – DB (2009-10-11-12-13)

Miami Dolphins (NFL) - 2014

Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) - 2014-15

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL) - 2016-18

Toronto Argonauts (CFL) – 2019

Montreal Alouettes (CFL) - 2020-21

Forslund, Mike – QB (1979-82)

Washington Federals (USFL) - 1983

Gado, Sam – RB (2001-04)

Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) - 2005

Green Bay Packers (NFL) - 2005-06

Houston Texans (NFL) - 2006-07

Miami Dolphins (NFL) - 2007

St. Louis Rams (NFL) - 2008-09

Gandy-Golden, Antonio – WR (2016-19)

Washington Football Team (NFL) - 2020-21

Goede, Chris – OL (1991-94)

San Antonio Texans (CFL) - 1995

Goodman, Eugene – RB (2001-04)

Columbus Lions (WIFL) - 2007

Green, Eric – TE (1985-89)

Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) - 1990-94

Miami Dolphins (NFL) - 1995

Baltimore Ravens (NFL) - 1996-98

New York Jets (NFL) - 1999-00

Haddix, Wayne – DB (1983-86)

New York Giants (NFL) - 1987-88

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL) - 1990-91

Cincinnati Bengals (NFL) - 1991-92

Cleveland Browns (NFL) - 1993

Hagen, Jacob – DB (2011-14)

St. Louis Rams (NFL) - 2015

Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) - 2016-17

Haith, William – DB (1999-02)

Norfolk Nighthawks (AFL2) - 2003

Manchester Wolves (AFL2) - 2005-06

Dallas Desperados (AFL) - 2006

New Orleans VooDoo (AFL) - 2007

Grand Rapids Rampage (AFL) - 2008-09

Rashaad Harding – LB (2021)

Montreal Alouettess (CFL) - 2022

Harris, Erick - WR/DB (2001-04)

Amarillo Dusters (AFL2) - 2005

Alabama Steeldogs (AFL2) - 2006

Rhein Fire (NFL Europe) - 2006

Amsterdam Admirals (NFL Europe) - 2007

Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) - 2006-07

Grand Rapids Rampage (AFL) - 2009

Kansas City Command (AFL) - 2011

Hayes, B.J. – WR (2008-09-10-11)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL) - 2012

Hickson, Frankie – RB (2016-19)

Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL) - 2022

Huntley, Johnny – TE (2018-21)

Chicago Bears (NFL) - 2022

Hursky, Nick – LB (2005-08)

Milan Rhinos (IFL) - 2010

Inverso, Glenn – QB (1977-80)

New York Jets (NFL) - 1981

Chicago Bears (NFL) - 1982

New York Jets (NFL) - 1984

Jackson, Storey – LB (2021)

Dallas Cowboys (NFL) - 2022

Jacobs, Trey – DL (2006-09)

Washington Redskins (NFL) - 2010

James, Elijah – DL (2019-21)

Chicago Bears (NFL) - 2022

Jennings, Butch – RB (1994)

New York Giants (NFL) - 1995

Jennings, Rashad – RB (2006-08)

Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL) - 2009-12

Oakland Raiders (NFL) - 2013

New York Giants (NFL) - 2014-16

Johnson, Durrell – DL (2020-22)

Dallas Cowboys (NFL) - 2023

Jones, Dominique – TE (2008-09)

Indianapolis Colts (NFL) - 2012-13

Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) - 2013

Denver Broncos (NFL) - 2014-15

Miami Dolphins (NFL) - 2016

Jones, Rennie – WR (1982-85) Philadelphia

Eagles (NFL) - 1985

Kagey, Bill – PK (1982-85)

Dallas Cowboys (NFL) - 1986

Kearns, Steve – TE (1976-79)

British Columbia Lions (CFL) - 1980-82

Kinard, Leroy – RB (1988-90)

New York Jets (NFL) - 1991-92

Lambros, Matt – WR (2005-08)

Toronto Argonauts (CFL) - 2009

Lemonier, Jessie – DL (2018-19)

Los Angeles Chargers (NFL) - 2020-21

Arizona Cardinals (NFL) - 2022

Lowe, Duron – CB (2021)

Los Angeles Rams (NFL) - 2022

Lunsford, John – K (2012-15)

San Francisco 49ers (NFL) - 2016

Mathis, Mark – DB (1983-86)

St. Louis Cardinals (NFL) - 1987-88

Edmonton Eskimos (CFL) - 1989-91

British Columbia Lions (CFL) - 1992

McConnell, Wes – DB (1989-92)

Shreveport Pirates (CFL) - 1993-94

McFadden, Andrew - WR/RS (1995)

St. Louis Rams (NFL) - 1997

Indianapolis Colts (NFL) - 1998

Portland Forest Dragons (AFL) - 1999-00

McKnight, James – WR (1991-93)

Seattle Seahawks (NFL) - 1994-98

Dallas Cowboys (NFL) - 1999-00

Miami Dolphins (NFL) - 2001-03

Nelson, Pat – WR (1988-91)

Orlando Predators (AFL) - 1992

New York Jets (NFL) - 1992-93

Nimako, George – RB (1991-92)

Toronto Argonauts (CFL) - 1993-94, 97-00

Nivens, Roosevelt – OL (1991-94)

Baltimore Stallions (CFL) - 1995

Dallas Cowboys (NFL) - 1996

Paige, Mickey – LB (1985-88)

Washington Commandos (AFL) - 1989-90

Parson, Biff – QB (1989-01)

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL) - 2002

Peterson, Darrin – WR (2012-15)

Chicago Bears (NFL) - 2016

Redd, Vince – LB (2007)

New England Patriots (NFL) - 2008-09

Rush, Torrey – DB (1996-99)

Barcelona Dragons (NFL Europe) - 2001

Rusins, Ralfs – DL (2016-21)

Baltimore Ravens (NFL) - 2022

Sartin, Trey – OL (1994-97)

Indianapolis Colts (NFL) - 1998-99

Schultz, Tristan – OL (2017-21)

Miami Dolphins (NFL) - 2022

Sene, Stephen – OL (2005-07)

St. Louis Rams (NFL) - 2008

New England Patriots (NFL) - 2008

Alabama Vipers (AFL1) - 2010

Shaa, Kevin – WR (2018-21)

Chicago Bears (NFL) - 2022

BC Lions (CFL) - 2022

Shelton, Richard – DB (1984-88)

Denver Broncos (NFL) - 1989

Seattle Seahawks (NFL) - 1989-90

Montreal Machine (WLAF) - 1991-92

Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) - 1990-93

Smith, Brock – QB (2005-08)

Milan Rhinos (IFL) - 2010

Smith, Donald – DB (1986-89)

Minnesota Vikings (NFL) - 1990-91

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL) - 1992-94

Memphis Maddogs (CFL) - 1995

Toronto Argonauts (CFL) - 1996-00

Steward, Hunter – OL (2011-12-13)

BC Lions (CFL) - 2014-21

Ottawa Redblacks (CFL) - 2022

Stone, Cedric – S (2020-21)

Washington Commanders (NFL) - 2022

Summers, Chris – WR (2008-11)

Chicago Bears (NFL) - 2012

Minnesota Vikings (NFL) - 2012-13

Buffalo Bills (NFL) - 2014

Thomas, Skyler – S (2021)

Los Angeles Chargers (NFL) - 2022

Washington, Desmond – DB (1997-98)

Florida Firecats (AFL) - 2001-05

Cincinnati Jungle Kats (AFL2) - 2007

Wendlend, Soeren – OL (2007-10)

Green Bay Blizzard (IFL) - 2011

Williams, Lauren – WR (2003-05)

Oakland Raiders (NFL) - 2007

Rhein Fire (NFL Europe) - 2007

Los Angeles Avengers (AFL) - 2008

Willis, Malik – QB (2019-21)

Tennessee Titans (NFL) - 2022

Wilson, Bejour – CB (2018-19)

Arizona Cardinals (NFL) - 2020

Woodrum, Josh – QB (2012-15)

N.Y. Giants (NFL) - 2016

Indianapolis Colts (NFL) - 2016

Baltimore Ravens (NFL) - 2017-18

Washington Redskins (NFL) - 2019

MALIK WILLIS

Former Liberty Flames standout quarterback Malik Willis became the ninth player in program history to be selected in the NFL Draft when the Tennessee Titans picked him in the third round in 2022.

Willis was the 86th overall pick. He is the first Flame selected in the draft since wide receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden was taken in the fourth round in 2020 (142nd overall pick). Willis became the second-highest NFL Draft pick in program history. The Flames’ top NFL Draft pick was Eric Green, who was selected in the first round (21st pick) by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1990.

Willis had an award-winning season in 2021. The quarterback was a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award and the Maxwell Award and a top 10 candidate for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

Willis was Liberty’s top offensive threat in 2021, accounting for 65.9 percent of the Flames’ total offensive yards in 2021 (Team Yards: 5,671/Willis: 3,736 – Rush 878, Pass 2,857). Willis’ total offensive yards rank No. 2 in single-season program history.

In his final season at liberty, Willis completed 207-of-339 passing attempts for 2,857 yards and 27 touchdowns. The redshirt junior was also Liberty’s leading rusher, having carried the ball 197 times for 878 yards and 13 touchdowns.

In recognition of his stellar play on the field and outstanding character off the gridiron, Liberty’s Malik Willis was named the 2021 Bobby Bowden Trophy winner. The Bobby Bowden Trophy recognizes the college football playoff player who epitomizes a student-athlete of faith. The award winner must conduct himself as an exemplary model in the classroom, on the field, on campus, and in the community.

The native of Atlanta, Ga., was also on numerous national award watch lists: CFPA National Performer of the Year Award, Manning Award, Reese’s Senior Bowl, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, and the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl 2021-22 Preseason Big Board.

REPORT SHOWS LIBERTY UNIVERSITY CONTINUES TO MAKE STRONG, POSITIVE IMPACT ON LOCAL AND STATE ECONOMIES

Liberty University’s constant growth in local and statewide economic influence is reflected in a recent report by Mangum Economics LLC that outlines the university’s contribution to the Lynchburg MSA’s (Metropolitan Statistical Area) and Commonwealth of Virginia’s workforce, tax revenue, and other economic activities.

The report is conducted every two years; this year’s report shares statistics from the 2021-22 academic year. Mangum Economics specializes in “producing objective economic, quantitative, and qualitative analysis in support of strategic decision making.”

Liberty’s unduplicated annual headcount of students (residential and online) was 130,594, making it the largest institution of higher education in Virginia and one of the largest in the country. The university and its auxiliary enterprises were Lynchburg’s largest employer, providing jobs for 8,413 individuals in the MSA, 9,166 in Virginia, and 12,663 worldwide.

Liberty helps to provide stability for the Lynchburg MSA total nonfarm employment. Between February 2018 and February 2023, total nonfarm employment increased by 2 percent in the Lynchburg MSA. Liberty’s employment numbers helped to provide stability to the MSA, especially during the volatile period in which restrictions were imposed on economic activity in response to the COVID-19 virus.

Spending in the Lynchburg MSA by the university, its associated enterprises, students, and visitors totaled $534.2 million, in turn accounting for generating $966.9 million in overall economic activity in the Lynchburg MSA. That means that every $1 of Liberty’s net local spending generated $1.81 within the broader regional economy.

The university itself, along with its associated enterprises, employees, students, and visitors, contributed approximately $23.3 million in tax revenue to the Lynchburg MSA in 2021-22.

Liberty also continues to make major economic and fiscal contributions beyond its immediate area. On the state level, in 2021-22, Liberty, along with its associated enterprises, students, and visitors were responsible for contributing $613.2 million in direct spending. Mangum’s analysis indicates that the spending was responsible for generating almost $1.1 billion in economic activity, meaning that every $1 of LU’s state spending generated $1.84 in overall economic activity within the state.

Additionally, the spending was responsible for supporting a total of 11,380 jobs in the state, creating $500.5 million in labor income and generating $162.5

million in federal, state, and local tax revenue.

Beyond the university’s economic and fiscal impact, its major contributions to the workforce were also highlighted in the report. Mangum Economics estimated the economic value of the enhanced labor productivity, or increased human capital, brought into the Virginia workforce by Liberty’s graduates at $74.3 million for the 2021-22 school year.

Falling in line with Liberty’s longstanding dedication to serving the community, students at LU provided the Greater Lynchburg community with 466,303 hours of volunteer service, which translates to more than $5.1 million worth of volunteer service hours to the Lynchburg MSA.

The university has also continued its regional investments in economic revitalization. After a major investment in renovations and additions at River Ridge Mall since its acquisition in 2017, the mall now counts among its newer anchor tenants nationally recognized names such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, Home Goods, and Ulta Beauty.

Liberty plays a major part in attracting tourists to the Lynchburg MSA. In fiscal year 2022, out-of-town visitors attending campus events and meeting with LU employees and students generated approximately 133,339 hotel room nights in the MSA. In turn, the rooms were associated with approximately $14.9 million in hotel revenue within the area.

“In sum, Liberty University is a rapidly growing institution that has a significant economic and fiscal impact on the Lynchburg MSA and the state of Virginia as a whole and plays a very active and positive leadership role within its community and the state,” the report concluded.

According to Liberty University President Dondi E. Costin, “This study confirms that Liberty University continues to be a major economic driver across our region. Even beyond the university’s billion-dollar economic impact, our employees and students make a more dramatic social impact on the community by loving their neighbors as themselves, in keeping with Jesus’ command. Every year we add thousands of Champions for Christ to the workforce, ensuring the Lynchburg MSA has the talent our community needs to realize its full potential.”

By Liberty University Office of Communications & Public Engagement

If you’ve been a part of the CUSA family for years, we’re proud to have you here.

If you’re new to us, welcome. No matter when you got here, know this:

You’re part of more than a college athletics conference.

Every school, every town, every alumni and fan is an essential part of who CUSA is today, and equally important in taking us to the next level. With unstoppable energy, there are no limits on us.

So hop on, because we’re heading up.

FIU - JACKSONVILLE STATE - LIBERTY - LA TECH - MIDDLE TENNESSEE - NEW MEXICO STATE - SAM HOUSTON - UTEP - WKU MIAMI, FL - JACKSONVILLE, AL - LYNCHBURG, VA - RUSTON, LA - MURFREESBORO, TN - LAS CRUCES, NM - HUNTSVILLE, TX - EL PASO, TX - BOWLING GREEN, KY

FLAMES ATHLETICS FEATURE

ATHLETICS COMMUNITY SERVICE

Liberty student-athletes continued to give their time and efforts in demonstrating love and care by serving the local community. Using the NCAA Athletics platform, Liberty’s student-athletes make a difference in the lives of individuals of all ages in both the public and private sectors.

“Love. Care. Serve.” is the promise Liberty studentathletes have for each other and the Lynchburg community with the goals of demonstrating love, caring for those in need, and serving with a grateful heart.

Liberty student-athletes have already begun serving the community in the first month of the 2023-24 school year. Student-athletes raised a total of $8,741 for the Dollar Makes A Difference campaign. The Liberty football team led the way for the first time, raising $2,458. All athletics programs reached their goal this year for the first time as well. With the generous donations, Liberty Athletics was able to “adopt” over 30 local teachers and purchase highly requested school supplies and classroom necessities for those teachers.

Since the establishment of Dollar Makes A Difference in 2010, Liberty’s NCAA Division I student-athletes have raised over $82,000 for Lynchburg City and surrounding area schools. The funds have been used to purchase glue sticks, markers, crayons, scissors, paper, and other highly requested school supplies to help meet the needs of both students and teachers.

Learn Like Liberty is Liberty Student-Athlete Development’s weekly literacy program. Each week

throughout September, student-athletes have been going to Yellow Branch Elementary School to read to second and third-grade students. The focus of this initiative is to promote a love of reading. The readers will move to R.S. Payne Elementary School starting in October.

On Sept. 15 and 16, student-athletes from field hockey, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, softball, and baseball cheered on Special Olympians during the North American Softball Championship at Peaks View Park.

Finally, on Sept. 18, Liberty Student-Athlete Development hosted City of Lynchburg Mayor Stephanie Reed to kick off the SHERO program, with over 125 female Flames in attendance. Liberty StudentAthlete Development encourages Liberty female student-athletes to discover their inner SHERO by hosting monthly workshops, a dynamic speaker series, and mentorship opportunities for them to engage in discussion about real issues currently facing female student-athletes. SHERO exists to provide authentic opportunities for leadership, education, and community for female student-athletes as they discover their passions, purpose, and power.

OPPONENT SCOREBOARD

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