Irishman LikesEccentric Americans

By Keri Burns

Ireland is a country of rolling hills and four-leaf clovers. It is a country full oftradition and heritage. Dublin,the capital city, isalso the home of senior Damien Bates.

Damien was born in Tipperary,Ireland and was raisedjustoutsideof Dublinwhere hehaslived most ofhis life. He began running when he was sixyears old. Hisyearsof dedicationpaid off when he earned a scholarship thatbrought him toAmerica

"My da (father) has been a big influence in every area ofmy life,especially in my running," Damien said "Iknow I wouldn'tbeherewithoutthe support ofboth my parents."

While in high school,Damien earned the title of "European Cross Country Champion" and received ascholarshipto Andrew College, a Methodist school inGeorgia.

Afterhisfreshman year, thetrackprogram at Andrew College was terminated and hiscoach encouraged him toapply toLiberty.

Damien has been an outstanding athlete during his yearsat LU, making all-conferencein 1990. In 1991 he remained one of the top five men on the crosscountry team.

Damien hasmade severaladjustments since coming to America. Although the regular rainfalls in Lynchburg remind him of Ireland, his biggestadjustment was getting use tothe heat.

"InIrelandit's only70 degreesin the summer with nohumidity,"hesaid."Herethe humidity is deadly."

Damien alsosaidthat American food cannot comparewiththatof his mothercountry."Thereare three MacDonald's restaurantsin Lynchburg,butthereare only three in the entire country ofIreland," he said. "Thereare threemillionpeoplein Ireland,butI guess they justhaven't caught on tofast food."

According to Damien, prices are much higher in Ireland. Gasoline pricesaloneaverage $4pergallon. Damien said many things inAmerica aremuch less expensive He added thatthingsaremore available tohim inAmerica than inIreland

Forexample, Damien hasa largervarietyto choose from when purchasing running shoes. "In Ireland, we don't have such advanced equipment," he said.

Damien has enjoyed his three years at Liberty, especially the extra curricular activities. He and fellow seniors Brent Squires and Brett Honeycutt breathed new life intoan old club, "TheRabbits."

"I really enjoyed the fun times we have had together over the lastthreeyears,"hesaid

Aftergraduating from LU withabachelor'sdegree in business/marketing,Damien would like to live in

Ireland,butthe job opportunitiesare much betterherein North America. Before returning to his homeland, he plans to obtain an MBA.

Damien said that his favorite memory will be the people he has met along the way.

"I have reallyenjoyed meeting thepeople here, especially Carolyn Van der Veen and Coach Matthes," he said. "Even if I never come back toAmerica,I won't be abletoforgetall of the eccentric Americans I have met here at Liberty."