Irishman Likes Eccentric Americans By Keri Burns Ireland is a country of rolling hills and four-leaf clovers. It is a country full of tradition and heritage. Dublin, the capital city, is also the h o m e of senior Damien Bates. Damien w a s born in Tipperary, Ireland and was raised just outside of Dublin where he has lived most of his life. H e began running w h e n he was six years old. His years of dedication paid off w h e n he earned a scholarship that brought him to America. " M y da (father) has been a big influence in every area of m y life , especially in m y running," Damien said. " I k n o w I wouldn't be here without the support of both m y parents." While in high school, Damien earned the title of "European Cross Country Champion" and received a scholarship to A n d r e w College, a Methodist school in Georgia. After his freshman year, the track program at Andrew College w a s terminated and his coach encouraged him to apply to Liberty. Damien has been an outstanding athlete during his years at LU, making all-conference in 1990. In 1991 he remained one of the top five m e n on the crosscountry team. Damien has m a d e several adjustments since coming to America. Although the regular rainfalls in Lynchburg remind him of Ireland, his biggest adjustment was getting use to the heat. "In Ireland it's only 70 degrees in the s u m m e r with no humidity," he said. "Here the humidity is deadly." Damien also said that American food cannot compare with that of his mother country. "There are three MacDonald's restaurants in Lynchburg, but there are only three in the entire country of Ireland," he said. "There are three million people in Ireland, but I guess they just haven't caught on to fast food." According to Damien, prices are m u c h higher in Ireland. Gasoline prices alone average $4 per gallon. Photo By Vangie Damien said m a n y things in America are m u c h less expensive. H e added that things are more available Ireland, but the job opportunities are m u c h better here in North America. Before returning to his homeland, he to him in America than in Ireland. For example, Damien has a larger variety to choose plans to obtain an M B A . Damien said that his favorite m e m o r y will be the from w h e n purchasing running shoes. "In Ireland, w e don't have such advanced equipment," he said. people he has met along the way. "I have really enjoyed meeting the people here, espeDamien has enjoyed his three years at Liberty, cially Carolyn Van der Veen and Coach Matthes," he especially the extra curricular activities. H e and said. "Even if I never come back to America, I won't be fellow seniors Brent Squires and Brett Honeycutt able to forget all of the eccentric Americans I have met breathed n e w life into an old club, "The Rabbits." here at Liberty." "I really enjoyed the fun times w e have had together over the last three years," he said. After graduating from L U with a bachelor's degree in business/marketing, Damien would like to live in
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