Liberty Champion January 28

Spiritual Emphasis Week

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Flames lose to No. 1 Sun Devils

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Volume 31 • Issue 13

Lynchburg, Va.

Law school rated No. 1

Arctic 5k

Liberty has the top school for devout Christians Joshua Janney jjanney@liberty.edu

The National Jurist magazine ranked Liberty University as the No. 1 law school out of 52 schools for devout students of major religions Jan. 10.

The magazine stated it considered the integration of faith, faculty and staff, student body and program of the school in determining the rankings.

“We are very pleased and honored by the rating,” Mathew Staver, vice president and dean for Liberty University’s school of law, said. “I think it reflects the mission of Dr. Jerry Falwell in training champions for Christ. For us to be number one in the nation is a great testament to the mission of our school and the program of our education.”

Staver said being ranked high on The National Jurist’s list did not put any additional pressure on the law school, because the faculty and students were already striving for the best.

“We have always taken the position that in everything, we need to be excellent,” Staver said. “We need to be number one in everything. We are not content with settling for mediocrity nor are we content for settling for number two.”

According to Staver, the School of Law wanted to have two specific elements to make them unique.

See LAW, A6

Leah Stauffer | Liberty Champion

RUN — Students participated in the first Student Activities race of the semester Jan. 5. See story on B5.

‘Animals’ claws to top YouTube names “How Animals Eat Their Food” as third overall video of 2013 Sophia Hahn shahn3@liberty.edu

If Liberty University alumnus Ian Deibert had to choose one word to describe the year of 2013, it would be “blessed.”

Deibert and senior Nick Sjolinder went from being normal college students to YouTube sensations when they posted “How Animals Eat Their Food” to their “MisterEpicMann” channel April of 2013. Their video went viral overnight.

“It is the weirdest thing, because we had a few videos before that hit a million views, and that was crazy,” Deibert said. “Then this one hit a million within an hour … After that, every million was too surreal.”

With the new year, YouTube announced the top trending videos of 2013, ranking “How Animals Eat Their Food” at No. 3 overall, with more than 90 million views, and No. 1 on YouTube’s top comedy videos.

“Before the viral video, my YouTube channel was just me and building my really small subscriber base — I think it got to 30,000 people before,” Sjolinder said. “When it hit, the night of it, I was just really numb, and when I woke up the next morning it was more than double I had built up in the past four years.”

Sjolinder explained that “MisterEpicMann” is a place where he slowly became comfortable with being himself and releasing himself.

Contest launches Students to compete for a free trip to Hollywood Greg Leasure gleasure@liberty.edu

Sophia Hahn shahn3@liberty.edu

be like people, and it is so much easier and less pressure if you try to be yourself

Liberty University students will be putting their creative talents to use in pursuit of a two-person trip to Hollywood after recent Convocation speakers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey’s announcement of a video contest to promote their new movie, “Son of God.” According to the contest rules, Liberty students interested in making a video must first register online at liberty.edu/ElectJesus. After registering, they will be allowed access to four exclusive clips from the movie and two songs from the official “Son of God” album to be used in the production of a campaign-themed video urging people to “elect Jesus” by purchasing tickets to the movie, which premieres Feb. 28.

Contest entries must be shorter than two minutes and 30 seconds and need to be turned in by Feb. 17.

See ANIMALS, A7

See CONTEST, A3

Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion

LAUGH — Sjolinder and Deibert hope to share the gospel.

“I kind of make a point to not try and copy people,” Sjolinder said. “I honestly really try to be myself as much as possible, because I feel like Jim Carrey wasn’t trying to

INSIDE THE CHAMPION News

Sports

Feature

Campus construction gradually progresses to A8 completion.

Sherman gives controversial interview after NFC title game Jan. 19.

B3

International students spend a day at Snowflex during the Winter Welcome.

B8

News Opinion Sports Feature

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NEWS

A2/Liberty Champion

JANUARY 28, 2014

Center4ME celebrates MLK day

Students, faculty and Lynchburg residents gather to commemorate the American civil rights leader’s legacy Joseph Park ypark9@liberty.edu

Liberty’s Center for Multicultural Enrichment (Center4ME) hosted its annual event celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Jan. 20.

As students, faculty and the Lynchburg community gathered in Towns Auditorium to reflect on the accomplishments and struggles that King faced while fighting for civil rights, LU Praise began the night by leading the congregation in worship.

“We are glad that you came out to celebrate a legacy that Dr. Martin Luther King has left us,” John Swann, coordinator for Center4ME, said.

Swann welcomed the audience for a night of worship, prayer and reflection as the service began with an opening prayer.

Some selected students went on stage to do a recital of the famous “I’ve Been to the Mountain Top” speech in order to spend time in reflection on the words of King’s last public speech.

“Martin Luther King was one of the first voices to stand up against a sin that others were too afraid to speak out against,” one student said. “Because of his voice, it gave the courage for

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LEADERSHIP — Martin Luther King, Jr.’s role in the civil rights movement has not been forgotten. other voices to speak out. Just as Christ teaches us to speak truth, so did Martin Luther King. With his truth, (he) brought the beginning of a change that we desperately needed to take place.”

The keynote speaker, Dr. Micah Madison McCreary, senior

pastor of Spring Creek Baptist Church, gave the audience a testimonial speech on how his life took a dramatic change from poverty to where his life is at right now.

McCreary made a comparison between King and Nelson Man-

dela, describing how they both portrayed boldness in standing up for what is right.

“Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mandela, they didn’t care what the world said about them,” McCreary said. “They didn’t care how the world treated them.

They stood strong for what is right.”

In his reflection of history, McCreary encouraged the student body to fight the good fight.

“We need young people,” McCreary said. “Every movement that happened in this country has happened because young people like you decided to take up the good fight. You will need determination to make the society change for the better.”

As the night came to a close, students responded to the time they spent looking back on King’s life.

“It was a good time to reflect on the responsibility that Martin Luther King has left us to treat each other better,” junior Steven Burgos said. “As Christians, we should see Martin Luther King as a great example of who fought against a great oppression. It should also inspire us to equip ourselves to fight for what is right in the secular world.”

People from all over the country celebrate King’s life every year and remember the cause that he fought for, according to MLKDay.gov.

PARK is a news reporter.

Panel discusses African culture Evelyn Hylton ehylton2@liberty.edu

(U.S. Census Bureau, 2011)

1. SIMPLY TO GO EMPLOYEES ENCOURAGE STUDENTS.

The Liberty University Center4ME held a deliberative dialogue session that included a lecture and panel geared toward uniting African and AfricanAmerican students at Liberty in DeMoss Hall Jan 22.

Associate professor of Cultural Competency and Assessment Joy Jefferson opened the dialogue session and introduced the first speaker of the evening, Ghana native Dr. Yaw Adu-Gyamfi, who shared elements from his personal life history as well as hope and encouragement for multicultural relations.

Adu-Gyamfi recalled the history that unfolded before his eyes as a young student during the days of Martin Luther King, Jr. and said he paid close attention to King’s attitude toward continental Africa.

“Martin Luther King came to Ghana in 1957 to celebrate independence,” Adu-Gyamfi said. “He joined with other leaders to talk about unity among blacks.”

According to AduGyamfi, King served as an excellent example of rising above the cultural gap between native Africans and the African-Americans.

“At the leadership level, I could see that there was a conscious level to bridge that gap,” Adu-Gyamfi said.

Adu-Gyamfi also stressed that students recognize the importance of engaging in African-American literature, which tends to use a substantial amount of African vernacular and connects readers to the experiences and emotions of their ancestors.

“The only thing that would connect African with American is a hyphen,” Adu-Gyamfi said. “Do they see that dash as a unity or a separation?”

Before closing his lecture, Adu-Gyamfi challenged students to consider their own perceptions of the African culture.

“What is your perception of Africa and African-Americans?”

Adu-Gyamfi said.

“Unique or one homogenous group of people? Unique individuals with unique characteristics? Those are things that I needed to think about and come to an informed knowledge (of).”

Several Liberty students were invited to come up and form a panel to answer questions from all members of the audience, giving fellow students of different backgrounds a chance to glean a

2. STUDENTS ATTEND A MEETING ABOUT THE SPRING LONDON AND PARIS TRIP.

Marybeth Dinges| Liberty Champion

UNITY — Students talked about bridging the gap in African culture. deeper understanding of the gap between Africans and AfricanAmericans.

While most could agree on a discernable difference between these two groups on campus, some students pointed out even more similarities.

“When I see people, I don’t see them too much with the stereotypical eye,” Alvonta Tarrant said. “I always felt there was a piece missing. I always wanted to know where my family was from when we were in Africa. We all have something we can offer one another . . . We can build this world up.”

Robert Owusu, a student panelist from Ontario, said he believes the reason why many African-Americans do

not want to be called ‘Africans’ is because of media influence.

“You will definitely realize how if you pay attention,” Owusu said.

“People will say their perception of Africa is a bunch of (sick) children . . . There are shows out there that portray African-Americans in a negative light. They don’t want to be tied to stereotypes.”

Tarrant said he believes these two groups can change their mentality by taking pride in their identity and rejecting stereotypes portrayed in the media.

“It’s about not being ignorant and passing that on to your children,” Tarrant said.

For the final question, the panelists were asked how Africans and African-Americans could

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better connect with one another on campus.

“We have to have a desire to want to encounter one another,” Tarrant said. “If you want to do it, you do it, and if you don’t want to do it, you won’t. I did an African event with students . . . I don’t think I’d have the African friends I have right now if it were not for that event.”

In the panel’s closing minutes, AduGyamfi encouraged Liberty students of every background to claim their citizenship in Christ above all.

“When you truly have God’s character, you will be able to identify with anybody,” Tarrant said.

HYLTON is a news reporter.

NEWS

JANUARY 28, 2014

Liberty Champion/A3

Alumnus receives ticket to Hollywood Former Liberty student and current Texas asst. worship pastor chases his dream of being on American Idol Zachary Pinkston zpinkston@liberty.edu

Austin, Texas will always hold a place in alumnus of ’09 Jordan Grizzard’s heart after he received his golden ticket to Hollywood when he tried out for American Idol season 13, which aired Jan. 15.

“My wife, Kayla, was the one who encouraged me to audition,” Grizzard said. “Kayla, our daughter Jozlyn and two of my good friends who live in Austin came to the audition.”

He is now on his way to Hollywood but could not comment on any of the particulars due to contract issues with the show.

Grizzard, who is currently the associate worship pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, recounted his time at Liberty University as one to cherish.

“Liberty has been a major influence for me,” Grizzard said. “Not only in challenging me musically, but preparing me spiritually.”

According to Grizzard, Liberty’s spiritual influence helped prepare him for his future.

“The priority of spiritual development of the student body is what sets Liberty apart from so many other universities,” Grizzard said. “I am so grateful for the investment Liberty made in me.”

Grizzard said he was a part of two different music groups while at Liberty.

“I had the privilege of singing with LU Praise my first year at Liberty,” Grizzard said. “Then, my last two years, I was with the Sounds of Liberty.”

Grizzard credited Scott Bullman, the director of Sounds of Liberty, and Dr. Joe Crider, professor of worship and music, as being very influential on him while he attended Liberty.

“They pushed me, encouraged me, loved me and believed in me,” Grizzard said. “I love them dearly.”

He said he hopes that his presence on the show will be one that will expand the kingdom of God. “My only desire is that Christ will be glorified through my involvement on the show,” Grizzard said. “I pray that I get more opportunities to meet artists and share the gospel with as many

Darren Wittko | Creative Commons

SING — Out of the thousands of people that try out, only a few hundred make it to Hollywood. people as possible.”

Grizzard shared that he has already been given opportunities to spread God’s word.

“Through this process, the Lord has opened numerous opportunities to share the gospel and build relationships,” Grizzard said. “It has been an amaz-

CONTEST continued from A1

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ELECT— “Son of God” will hit theaters Feb. 28.

The videos will be evaluated based on their originality and creativity, quality of filmmaking, effectiveness in promoting the “Son of God” brand and number of views on Liberty’s YouTube page.

Videos approved by Liberty and Lightworkers Media will be posted on Liberty’s YouTube page Feb. 18, and then participants will promote their videos in an attempt to get as many YouTube views as possible. The winner will be announced Feb. 24.

“It might be someone from finance,” Burnett said. “It might be

ing couple of months.”

He and his wife both recognize that this is a ministry and that their love for music can be their way to present the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“This opportunity has been incredible so far,” Grizzard said.

“Kayla and I both see it as a pos-

someone from the football team. We don’t know who is going to make the video, and it is open to everyone. ...

Anyone who has got a Mac can make a video.”

The winners will fly all expenses paid to Hollywood for four days and three nights as well as attend a meeting with Burnett and Downey with VIP passes to a live taping of “The Voice,” an NBC television show produced by Burnett.

Only one video will be selected as the winner, but all participants with approved videos will receive the soundtrack for the movie as a reward for their efforts, and the runner-up will receive two VIP tickets and back-

sible platform to make the name of Christ known. We both have a passion for the arts and the artist community.”

PINKSTON is a news reporter.

stage passes to the Inspired By Music Tour concert April 12 in Lynchburg, Va., which will include artists such as Lecrae, Chris Tomlin, Steven Curtis Chapman, Mac Powell and Michael W. Smith.

For complete directions about how to enter the contest, visit liberty.edu/ ElectJesus.

LEASURE is the editor-in-chief.

HAHN is the news editor.

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OPINION

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JANUARY 28, 2014

Free to choose your bathroom In an effort to include transgenders, male and female bathroom signs no longer apply to students in California Tyler Beaston tbeaston@liberty.edu

Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown of California signed a bill that allows transgender students to select which bathroom they feel more comfortable using. The law took effect Jan. 1, according to a Fox News article by Dr. Keith Ablow, one of America’s leading psychiatrists and a graduate of Brown University and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

This policy does not just affect bathrooms. Transgender students also have the option to play on sports teams of the opposite sex and consequently use the coinciding locker rooms.

As is the case with many of today’s policies, I think Brown’s new law creates more problems than it pretends to fix.

The bill is meant to lessen the amount of bullying toward transgender students, according to a CBS news article, but its side effects are more devastating.

I cannot predict if the change in policy will decrease the amount of bullying toward transgender students, but I can imagine that it will make heterosexual students quite uncomfortable.

Opponents of the bill suggest that it violates heterosexual students’ privacy rights, and I agree. However, the CBS article points out that the Los Angeles Unified school district, which already had a similar policy, encountered no problems.

I think it is quite possible for some students to abuse this law. Take a conniv-

ing, hormone-drenched teenage male, and give him the option to enter the female locker room. The reverse could happen as well.

Yet the governor handed that student — who could claim to be transgender — a get-out-of-jail-free card. Think it would not happen? Take a serious look at America today, and you tell me.

Gender is not based on a person’s feelings or self-perception. It is not based on the mind.

I agree with Ablow, who wrote, “I am not convinced by any science I can find that people with definitively male DNA and definitively male anatomy can actually be locked in a cruel joke of nature because they are actually female.”

I frequently read people’s comments on news stories, and even individuals who support transgender rights are hesitant about the outcome of this law.

A few commenters discussed the possibility of a third bathroom as an alternative solution. This option has economic ramifications, but it better avoids the effects of Brown’s ill-conceived law.

I dislike the idea of even needing a third bathroom, but it is a more palatable compromise.

The CBS article mentions the opinions of Ben Hudson, who works for the Gender Health Center. Hudson said transgender students must have the same opportunities all boys and girls have in order to succeed in school.

Excuse me? Opportunities have nothing to do with a student’s gender prefer-

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NEUTRAL — Transgender restrooms allow children to choose their own preference. ence. If a transgender person is enrolled in school, then it seems to me that he or she has the same opportunities as everybody else.

But this Hudson fellow wants people to believe that if transgender students do not receive special treatment, they somehow lack opportunities to succeed.

Ablow summed up the issue quite nicely.

“A campaign in California called Privacy for All Students is now seeking to put the ‘choose your bathroom’ law to

a public vote on the November ballot,” Ablow wrote. “I hope they succeed.

And I hope it is repealed … And I believe to the core, unshakably, that Gov. Jerry Brown is a threat to children in California and a threat to children everywhere.”

BEASTON is an opinion writer.

Tragedies remind us of sinful world Though recent shootings spur gun control conversations, an ultimate solution remains unobtainable Gabriella Fuller gfuller2@liberty.edu

Dylan Friberg dwfriberg@liberty.edu

For the first time ever, news of a shooting left me uninterested and unsurprised. Thinking back now to the moment when I first read my Twitter feed concerning the Maryland mall shooting, I realize that incidents as grave as gunmen and shootings have become little more than typical, everyday occurrences.

Our generation is, in a word, desensitized.

Think for a moment what it says about a society that expects such horrors from fellow humans, even anticipates them. Yet in the two decades that I have been alive, I have borne witness to hundreds of such stories, many of them truly devastating, yet subject to only a brief moment of attention amidst the thousands of additional news headlines screaming for attention.

Our generation vividly remembers the events of Sept. 11, 2001. We have grown up watching story after story of terrorist threats, executions and civil unrest in the

by Greg Leasure A shocking event at a nationally televised awards show catches the audience by surprise, making headlines that last for days. By now, this type of storyline is nothing new, thanks to celebrities such as Kanye West and Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke.

Despite the current LEASURE surplus of awards show drama, the 56th Grammy Awards on CBS made

“

Human emotions are powerful.

They can be magnificent or terrible, beautiful or frightful.

Middle East. We are well accustomed to both the horrors of war and the senselessness of civilian shootings.

Take, for instance, the retired Florida police officer Curtis Reeves shooting 43-year-old Chad Oulson during a heated argument concerning Oulson’s texting during movie previews.

Or what about the Jan. 25 Maryland mall shooting where a 19-year-old opened fire with no sign of rationale, leaving two dead before killing himself.

Whenever bizarre tragedies of this sort occur, people immediately become politically flamboyant, and another fiery gun control debate explodes. One person wants guns banned. The other preaches the Second Amendment.

But an argument like the one that end-

headlines for a different reason Sunday night, Jan. 26, and it had surprisingly little to do with music.

Near the end of the three-and-a-halfhour show, Madonna joined rap duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis as well as singer Mary Lambert to perform “Same Love,” practically a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender battle cry in hip-hop packaging. Then, in a gesture that was weird even by awards show standards, 34 couples, both gay and straight, were married at the same time by Queen Latifah.

Many supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage soon took to social media to voice their opinions about the political statement made by the event. I was left with only one question: Why does such a politically charged ceremony belong on a show designed to honor the most talented musicians in the industry?

— DYLAN FRIBERG ed Oulson’s life could begin anywhere, and the arbitrary arrival of a gunman in your vicinity is left completely to chance.

Human emotions are powerful. They can be magnificent or terrible, beautiful or frightful. Emotions contain the best and worst aspects of the human race.

We can make all of the laws we want to combat irritations — like not texting in movie theaters — or to keep public spaces protected, but we cannot make laws to stop human emotions.

When contemplating what possible solutions there may be to these distressing situations, we can spend hours attempting to propose better legislation or stricter laws. But at the end of the day, we are all left without an answer.

And maybe that is just it. Maybe there is

If Macklemore and Ryan Lewis had won a Grammy for “Same Love,” then I could see the motivation behind the stunt. The hip-hop duo did win four Grammys, but none of those were for “Same Love.”

The blatant, industry-wide push toward homosexuality should come as no surprise. The marriages took place on CBS, a major network with multiple openly homosexual stars. Neil Patrick Harris, a frequent host of awards shows including the Emmys and Tonys, has played Barney Stinson for nine seasons of the show “How I Met Your Mother,” and Jim Parsons has portrayed the character Sheldon Cooper for seven seasons of “The Big Bang Theory.”

By now, you might have deducted that I, like a majority of Bible-believing Christians, do not support gay marriage. However, after the show’s conclusion, I found myself asking another

no answer. Maybe there is not even a lesson to be learned. Maybe tragedies just happen as the result of living in a sinful world.

Sometimes there is no right or wrong side. It does not matter if you are a Conservative, a Liberal, pro-gun, antigun or somewhere in between all of the mess. Sometimes tragic things just happen, and all that we can point to is the fall of man and the aftermath of sin infesting our world.

When responding to the emotions that arise following such heinous acts, do not use what happened to forward a political agenda. And do not allow the hyperexposure to violence and death numb you to the value of a human life.

Regardless of how often we hear about death, it is important to remember that these occurrences have real repercussions with real, grieving victims.

The blatant disregard for human life is a tragedy. Sometimes that is all there is to it.

FULLER is the opinion editor.

FRIBERG is an opinion writer.

question. If Tim Tebow was allowed to give praise to God in televised interviews after football games, what makes same-sex couples marrying on the Grammys any different?

Although both Tebow and those same-sex couples were well within their rights to express a belief in God or get married under California law, there is one fundamental difference. What Tebow said was never scripted by the networks televising his football games.

If Macklemore had voiced his support for same-sex marriage during an acceptance speech, I would have had no problem with that. In fact, artists commonly take those types of opportunities to talk about issues they are passionate about. But for CBS to promote such a clear political message within a show about music just seems desperate and out of place.

OPINION

JANUARY 28, 2014

Liberty Champion/A5

Chris Christie for president in 2016?

Christie must bounce back from his latest scandal if he hopes to gain voter popularity in the coming election Tré Goins-Phillips dgoinsphillips@liberty.edu

Known for being one of the most boisterous names in politics, it seems there is hardly anything New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie can do quietly.

Christie, just off the heels of a strong re-election campaign, ranks among the most polarizing of political characters, no matter what your political affiliation might be.

The governor’s recent crisis, popularly dubbed the “Bridgegate scandal,” seems to be no exception.

But just what is it that draws national attention to Christie? It would seem that public relations finesse and a Republican affiliation does not always correlate with popularity, at least not among the mainstream media types.

However, I can sum up this entire situation in one word: weird.

MSNBC’s “Meet the Press” spent 33 minutes discussing the New Jersey scandal, using the opportunity to take shots at the chair of the Republican National Committee, Reince Priebus. In my mind, 2016 is the motivation behind the national attack of New Jersey’s most famous bulldog.

Christie has been among the mainstream media’s favorite politicians.

Many a liberal has called for more Republicans like him to rise through the ranks. Nevertheless, as the Garden State governor rested his hand on a Bible and took his second oath of office,

investigators, reporters and attorneys continued to hurl allegations toward Christie.

Whether or not the governor had malicious intent is yet to be discovered.

One thing we can be sure of: He is a threat to the next Democratic contender for president. Christie has a magnetism that is unmatched by virtually every other name under the GOP banner, and Hillary Clinton knows it.

Christie commented on the peculiar incident in his annual State of the State address Tuesday.

“I’m the governor, and I’m ultimately responsible for all that happens on my watch — both good and bad,” Christie said. “Now, without a doubt we will cooperate with all appropriate inquiries to ensure this breach of trust does not happen again.”

Just two days earlier, the mayor of Hoboken alleged that she received a “direct message from the governor,” saying he would withhold millions in Hurricane Sandy aid money unless his project moved forward as he wanted it to.

Christie displayed presidential prowess in his handling of Hurricane Sandy, but the image of his executive ability is fading against the harsh light of Bridgegate. This is where the rubber meets the road. How Christie moves on from this point forward will determine his political future.

Stories of “It was a traffic study” and “I was completely shocked” are not holding up as defensible arguments

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BRIDGEGATE — Christie apologized for closing off access lanes to the George Washington Bridge, causing massive, four-day traffic jams in New Jersey. to the public who will be responsible for either his failure or success come election season.

I fully believe the governor can come back from this. Christie has shown a brazen charisma that is nearly absent from the political arena, and people like it. It is refreshing. There is nothing more

powerful than sheer honesty. Whether you are for or against him, he has a raw appeal — he is human.

GOINS-PHILLIPS is an opinion writer.

Rodriguez: another steroid scandal After allegedly abusing performance enhancing drugs, Rodriguez will lose $25 million and sit out 162 games David Van Dyk dvandyk@liberty.edu

One of my greatest memories is traveling with my dad to see a game between the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Mets.

My dad was a Reds fan, and I was a lover of New York’s underdog, unlike my misguided brother who happens to still be drinking the Yankee Kool-Aid. Brotherly love aside, I always relished the opportunity to see the giant Yankee Stadium along with all the lights and action happening around me. You could almost feel the excitement as you stepped out from under the overhang and into the charged bleachers.

Now, as I read the papers and check the latest updates concerning Alex Rodriguez, A-Rod — or A-Roid, as some might affectionately call him — I feel a sense of disappointment wash over me.

America’s greatest pastime is quickly becoming a bad example of what honest, reputable sports look like in America.

Once Rodriguez was convicted of using performanceenhancing drugs (PEDs), the star athlete, along with his legal team, began to pull out all the stops in an attempt to lift the ban that was slammed down with surprising force.

According to Andy McCullough of the New Jersey Star-Ledger, Rodriguez was hit with a sentence that holds historical weight.

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A-ROID — Although Rodriguez’s punishment is more severe than those given to previous PED users, he is the latest in a long line of sluggers to become entangled in a steroid scandal.

“The arbitrator in Alex Rodriguez’s hearing has reduced his suspension to 162 games, a decrease from the initial 211game ban, but one that still brands Rodriguez with the longest penalty in connection with performance-enhancing drugs in baseball history,” McCullough wrote.

Though financially devastating for Rodriguez, the suspension gives the Yankees an opportunity to pursue new players.

“The suspension will cost

Rodriguez $25 million in salary and provide a measure of financial flexibility for the Yankees,” McCullough wrote.

Some have thought the verdict carried out by Rodriguez’s arbitrator, Fredric Horowitz, was excessive, pointing out the other players’ rulings of 50 games.

Many argue that the entirety of the sentence was groundless, pointing out Rodriguez’s perfect record on PED tests.

Current Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig

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said he thought the ruling was justified when put in context with the slugger’s actions.

“In my judgment, his actions were beyond comprehension,” Selig said in an interview with Scott Pelley on “60 Minutes.”

“And I’m somebody who’s now been in the game over 50 years.”

As for what made the Yankee standout different than the other players’ charges, Selig held that it was a two-fold action.

“I looked at everything, all the players, then I got to Alex

LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICIES & INFO

Rodriguez,” Selig said. “You put all the drug things on one side and then all the things that he did to impede our investigation … I think 211 games was a very fair penalty.”

According to McCullough, Horowitz dropped the charge accusing Rodriguez of impeding the investigation after studying testimony brought before him in October and November.

After reading through the testimony of Tony Bosch, Rodriguez’s supplier, I cannot help but appear skeptical at Rodriguez’s claims that he never used PEDs. Should someone have come forth and refuted Bosch’s claims, it would have made for a different story.

However, that is not the case.

The only people who I have heard adamantly go against the investigation’s findings are Rodriguez and his legal team.

With this in mind, I believe that the once-celebrated star athlete took PEDs and has now lied about it, even going to the lengths of suing the player’s union for not helping him. Not a smart move, which places him in the crosshairs of some very resentful pitchers.

VAN DYK is an opinion writer.

The Champion encourages community members to submit letters to the editor on any subject. Letters should not exceed 400 words and must be typed and signed. The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday. Letters and columns that appear are the opinion of the author solely, not the Champion editorial board or Liberty University.

All material submitted becomes property of the Champion. The Champion reserves the right to accept, reject or edit any letter received—according to the Champion stylebook, taste and the Liberty University mission statement.

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NEWS

A6/Liberty Champion

JANUARY 28, 2014

Athlete dies in car crash Teammates, friends remember Liberty freshman Darius Dixon Emily Brown erbrown@liberty.edu

Darius Dixon, a freshman at Liberty University and a runner on the Flames track and field team, was tragically killed Saturday, Dec. 7 in a car accident when the vehicle he was riding in struck a tree in Franklin County, Va., according to The News & Advance.

“Our hearts are all aching over the tragic loss of this promising life,” Liberty track and field Head Coach Brant Tolsma said in an article on the Liberty Athletics website. “Darius was a very special young man.”

Darius Dixon was less than one month from turning 19 at the time of his death. He was from Chesapeake, Va., and was the son of Herman and Shineka Dixon.

The accident occurred only days before Liberty’s winter break began and just days after Darius Dixon competed in his first collegiate meet. In the event, which took place at Liberty’s Tolsma Indoor Track Center Dec. 4-5, Darius Dixon competed in the 200-meter and 400-meter races.

Tolsma said Darius Dixon provided a hopeful presence as a member of the team.

“He was a very encouraging and giving person who provided a lot of support for his teammates and encouraged them in training,” Tolsma said. “He knew how to have fun, but he also knew how to get serious. Everybody that got to know him … really (liked) him.”

In addition to his time on the track, Darius Dixon also participated in several of the Liberty University Athletics Department’s community service projects, according to the Liberty athletics website.

For one of the initiatives, the Thanks for Giving clothing drive that benefits needy people in the area through Lynchburg Daily Bread, Darius Dixon donated 257 clothing items, according to Student-Athlete Development Coordinator Morgaine God-

win. Tolsma said Darius Dixon had donated the items without wanting anyone to know.

Godwin, who puts together all outreach events for Liberty student athletes, said Darius Dixon volunteered at almost every event she organized, including special fun nights with an area elementary school and helping with athletics marketing.

“He was an incredibly giving individual and just had a heart of gold,” Godwin said. “…He was always willing to be someone who helped in anything and everything. ... To be a freshman and to be that giving of your time says a lot.”

Aklesso Agama, Darius Dixon’s roommate and a freshman on Liberty’s track team, said he was hugely impacted

by Darius Dixon, even after only one semester together.

“Darius was more than a roommate,” Agama said. “He was like the brother I never had. It was so weird how someone (so far) away can be so similar.

He had my back better than any chiropractor, and he loved people more than himself. He was always encouraging me and the rest of the team and always kept things competitive.

Even speed walking to class every morning was a competition.”

Agama added that Darius Dixon left a legacy that has impacted more than just Agama or the Liberty community. Agama said God has used Darius Dixon’s life to bring people to the Lord.

“At his funeral, there were hundreds of people that were there, and many people gave their lives to the Lord,” Agama said. “When I went to Haiti over the break, I shared about Darius’ life and witnessed to many kids and also helped lead my step-brother to Christ (through Darius’ life).

Darius’ death was unfortunate, but through God’s just decision, now many people will be able to be where Darius is — heaven.”

BROWN is a copy editor.

Photo Provided

SPORTS — Darius Dixon ran for the track team.

Christieanna Apon| Liberty Champion

EXERCISE — Students compete by working out at the LaHaye Student Union to gain points and win prizes.

LaHaye encourages fitness

Students sign up to participate in the Fitness MVP Challenge ending in April James Ebrahim jebrahim2@liberty.edu

For the first time, the LaHaye Student Union is offering the Fitness MVP Challenge for all students and union members Jan. 13-April 29, according to Jamie Swyers, associate director of the LaHaye Student Union.

According to Swyers, the student union usually has an ongoing challenge like the triathlon, but the Fitness MVP Challenge is the first of its kind.

It is designed to help people stretch themselves and experience something new in different areas of fitness.

“Everyone can do it,” Swyers said.

“It is not graded on how well you do.

You don’t get a certain amount of points for winning an event, but just for participating as much as possible.”

According to Swyers, the participants with the top three point totals will get gift cards, with first place receiving a $125 gift card.

There are 600 total possible points according to Swyers, but participants only need to reach 150 in order to receive a prize.

“We will post the winners on our

website and contact them via email,” Swyers said. “The standings are posted online every Friday.”

Students and union members may register for the competition at the front desk at any time during the challenge, according to Swyers.

“There are many different events to attend for points, including the three part wellness series on nutrition, goal setting and living healthy according to the Bible,” Swyers said. “We try to encourage our members to get involved in things like the wellness series where you can learn valuable information about fitness, like how to set goals and achieve what you want to do in the gym.”

The Fitness MVP Challenge also includes a bench press competition, bouldering class and competition, the Liberty Mountain Trail series, lead and top rope classes and the flow workshops. Also included are the Group Exercise Classes, which count for one point each.

“The Fitness MVP is an opportunity for all of our members to get involved in and stretch themselves to experience different things that they

haven’t done before in our facility,” Swyers said. “If you do group exercise classes, maybe you might try one of the rock wall classes that you haven’t tried before. If you have done some races at Camp Hideaway and Liberty Mountain, and you haven’t participated in a bouldering competition or the bench press competition, you might try one of those events.”

After each event, participants are given a ticket they must take to the front desk, according to the LaHaye Student Union website. Their points are then recorded in their Fitness MVP binder and added to their score.

The only exception to this is the Liberty Mountain Trail Races and Adventure Challenge where race bibs count as proof of completion.

For more information about the competition and current standings, visit the LaHaye Student Union website at liberty.edu/campusrec/studentunion/.

EBRAHIM is a news reporter.

LAW continued from A1 “First of all was our commitment to the Christian mission and the foundations of the rule of law, and secondly our skills program, which is one of the most comprehensive and unique skills program in the country,” Staver said. “In fact, many schools are now trying to imitate what Liberty University has done in our skills program, to actually train people to practice law in the courtroom and in the planning rooms.”

Staver said the School of Law’s goal is to have their students impacting and restoring the foundations of law worldwide, particularly in America.

“We want to influence every area of law and reshape it to its original purpose and foundation, and that is that God created it and that law transcends professions,” Staver said. “So consequently, we want to make sure people, whether it’s in business, education, the medical field or aviation, have some kind of contribution to that area of law.”

The law school has begun to expand their programs to more than just lawyers, Staver explained.

“Beyond the law degree, we have also launched online programs for non-lawyers that are law related, such as the paralegal studies program, Master of

Ana Campbell | Liberty Champion

COURT — Law students take their profession seriously by studying hard.

Arts, and public policy and online programs we are launching,” Staver said.

According to Staver, some of the online programs that are in development are not necessarily just for people who hold a Juris Doctor degree, the first professional graduate degree in law.

“Our core signature is to train attorneys and lawyers in all different areas of life ...” Staver said. “We want to have our students in all different areas, all around the world.”

Ana Campbell | Liberty Champion

JANNEY is a news reporter.

IMPACT — Liberty hopes to restore Christian principles.

NEWS

JANUARY 28, 2014

Liberty Champion/A7

Students attend LaHaye Wellness Series

Registered Dietician Robin Quay speaks to students about various ways to be healthy while living on campus Jesse Spradlin jaspradlin@liberty.edu

Students met for Liberty University’s first Wellness Series meeting of the semester Jan. 22 to hear registered dietician Robin Quay speak about healthy eating.

Every semester, the LaHaye Student Union hosts a three-part Wellness Series, including sessions on healthy eating, fitness, and overall health and wellness, according to Associate Director at the LaHaye Student Union Jamie Swyers.

“I enjoy hearing about behind the scenes at Sodexo, some of the secrets and tips people might not

See Daniel Diet B6

know,” Swyers said.

Quay began the session by sharing scripture answering the question of what God says about healthy living.

“I like how you can not only live a healthy lifestyle … but you can compare what God says,” Liberty freshman Pertina Smith said.

Quay mentioned that 50-70 percent of health problems in the United States are caused by a poor diet and lack of exercise.

“Lasting change requires honest community,” Quay said.

She said that, statistically, people in small groups lose twice as much weight as people who attempt it on their own.

The Daniel Plan, a sixweek program focusing on faith, food, fitness, focus and friends, will be led by Quay and take place in the

ANIMALS continued from A1 (rather) than if you are trying to be someone else.”

According to Sjolinder, ideas for videos would just pop into his head, and he would try to keep them as simple as the original idea.

“We made it in five hours in the basement of (Sjolinder’s) apartment, edited it until three in the morning and just threw it up (on YouTube), not thinking anything of it,” Deibert said. “So that all of this came from it is just really crazy.”

After making one viral video, there is a pressure from companies and subscribers to replicate that sensation with a follow up video that is just as popular, Deibert said.

“We didn’t make a video for three weeks after that,” Deibert explained. “We thought about just ending it, because how do you top that? What do you do after that?”

Reber-Thomas Executive Dining Room every Tuesday, beginning Jan. 28 at 5:30 p.m.

Quay also informed students about the new and healthy recipes now available at Liberty Dining facilities.

Sodexo Retail Manager Marcus Stewarts said “mindful” recipes have more vegetables, more proteins and other healthy options.

Mindful options are now available at the ReberThomas Dining Hall, the Tilley and the Annex, according to Sodexo Marketing Manager Roxy Hockensmith. Sodexo hopes to expand to Doc’s, Sub Connection and the Bistro.

Quay also encouraged students to make wise choices and develop good habits while relying on God’s power.

“Lasting change re-

Over the next few weeks, several companies, such as Spartan Race and Fullscreen, approached “MisterEpicMann” to do business together, according to Sjolinder, but he felt too young and unprepared for such big decisions. “(A)s I’ve been getting used to it, I’ve felt like I have grown as a person and kind of gone through that principle that Moses went through with not being equipped and realizing I can still stand up for my beliefs,” Sjolinder said.

Sjolinder and Deibert now work for Fullscreen, a California YouTube partner, and post a new video every Friday to their channel, Deibert said.

According to Sjolinder, Deibert’s and his goal is to help spread the mission of the gospel, but they do not want to just preach something at their audience.

“With the whole fame thing, with people following famous people, it is like idolatry basically,” Sjolinder said. “No matter

Christieanna Apon | Liberty Champion

DIET — Students learn about healthy food options from Robin Quay. quires God’s spirit in your life,” Quay said. “The secret to self-control is spiritcontrol.”

The class size is limited to 30 people. Those inter-

ested can e-mail rskompelien@liberty.edu or call 434-582-2262. Sodexo is providing workbooks for participants.

Quay has also made a

what we do, they are going to like what we do. So (we) try to leverage that in a way (so) we can steer them in the right direction as a start.”

Sjolinder and Deibert are currently in the process of making their first short film for their channel with the help of students from the Zaki Gordon Cinematic School of Arts. Sjolinder explained that this video will be unlike all of the videos they have made in the past.

“It is not going to be about humor,” Sjolinder said. “It is going to be about the message behind it. It is going to be our first attempt at really trying to use our personas and not our humor to see what they like more.”

In the future, Deibert said both Sjolinder and he would like to break out of YouTube and work more behind the camera.

According to Deibert, he is attending Gnomon School of Visual Effects

Dorm Cookbook available online at libertydining. com/wellness/index.

SPRADLIN is a news reporter.

in Hollywood.

“I am going back to school now, taking classes for animation and special effects and CGI,” Deibert said. “I would like to get into that, but I am going to keep doing YouTube as long as it lasts.”

Sjolinder stated that he would like to branch out into Christian-based filmmaking. Right now, he is in the process of raising funds for his feature film, “John Cain,” which is being produced through his company, Lost Light Films.

According to Deibert, their overall mission is to bring glory to God. “We never could have expected any of this, but God (has) blessed us with it, and we can only hope to glorify him through it all,” Deibert said.

To see Sjolinder’s and Deibert’s work, check out their YouTube channel “MisterEpicMann,” or visit lostlightfilms.com.

HAHN is the news editor.

NEWS

A8/Liberty Champion

JANUARY 28, 2014

Live Cameras

Construction continues

Joshua Janney

Mark Tait

View construction sites

Changes abound around campus as $500 million renovation progresses

jjanney@liberty.edu

mtait@liberty.edu

Over the past few months, Liberty University residents may have gotten the feeling that they were being watched as live cameras have been placed all over the campus.

Those students may be relieved to know that the cameras are recording the progress of Liberty’s construction as opposed to capturing the students unaware. Charles Spence, senior vice president for construction planning, said the cameras were placed to update people on the construction projects.

The camera feed is available for students to watch anytime on the Liberty website.

“We started the live cameras a little over a year ago,” Spence said. “We had three or four different angles shooting at the library, then we added (some cameras) to the Vines Center. We also added cameras to the medical school and the tunnel.”

Spence revealed that the idea for installing the live cameras around campus came from construction associates who had used live cameras to record the renovation of the football stadium a few years ago.

“The idea has been around,” Spence said.

“It’s not new to Liberty. It’s kind of the thing to do on any construction site for people who are interested in it.”

One of the features of the camera footage available online is viewers have the ability to view the entire construction from the beginning stages when there was nothing but dirt to the completed product, Spence explained.

The speed can be adjusted so that viewers can witness the whole library being built within 30 seconds.

“It’s a documentary as much as anything else,” Spence said. “Construction is a very popular and very interesting thing at Liberty University. (Students) are all very interested, for which I am very grateful for.”

According to Spence, the cameras are not just for the people on Liberty’s campus, but also for anyone in the country who may be interested, including former students.

Construction continues to progress on campus as hundreds of people work to complete active projects with many more projects on the drawing board in Liberty’s $500 million master plan, according to Charles Spence, senior vice president of construction and planning.

Spence said the construction department is primarily focused on improving Liberty’s academic facilities at this time.

“We spent a lot of time and money a few years ago improving our recreational and our athletics facilities,” Spence said. “Now, more recently, our primary focus has been on improving the academic facilities.”

Among several academic buildings in Liberty’s master construction plan, the School of Medical Health Sciences is nearing completion. Spence said that while work still needs to be done inside the building, and 540 parking spaces need to be paved, the new school is expected to be ready for opening in fall 2014.

In addition to the School of Medical Health Sciences, Spence said a new

Science Hall is under construction and is expected to open in fall 2014.

“It’s a very exciting project,” Spence said. “It’s a great facility.”

While construction of the Liberty science hall is on schedule, the new, ninestory dormitory tower just south of the Vines Center is currently four weeks behind, according to Spence.

“It’s really hard at this stage of the project,” Spence said. “You’re in the mud. You’re in the cold.

You’re in the middle of wintertime. So the schedule will slip a little bit. ...

While you start losing days on the schedule during this time of the year, in the spring, you start gaining days on the schedule.”

According to Liberty’s master plan, the new residence hall will provide 1,270 beds.

Along with academic and housing buildings, projects with the goal of improving Liberty’s oncampus parking and transportation are currently underway, according to Spence.

Construction of vehicular tunnels running below the train tracks between main campus and Wards Road is in its final stage, according to

Spence. Crews are working to build head walls — which are concrete rings built at both ends of tunnels to hold the dirt back — connector roads, sidewalks, landscaping, lighting and install traffic lights.

Spence said workers hope to have the tunnels open and operational before commencement ceremonies May 10. The completion time of the project will depend on future weather conditions.

In fall 2014, students will be able to enter campus through new vehicular tunnels and will also have 1,400 new spaces to park, according to Spence. In mid-February, 250-300 truckloads of precast concrete panels will arrive as crews work to complete a five-level parking garage near the previous location of Al Worthington Stadium.

“The parking garage will come along amazingly fast,” Spence said.

“You’ll start seeing it come together.”

Among the 12 projects currently in progress, an expansion to the LaHaye Student Union is projected to be complete in fall 2014, according to Spence. A driving range and clubhouse, as well as

a new softball stadium, are scheduled to be finished in June.

Spence said the planning and construction office is focusing on buildings scheduled to be completed before fall 2014 and is in the planning stages of future projects, such as a new prayer chapel and a DeMoss Hall expansion.

According to Spence, Liberty’s Planning and Construction department strives to be as low-maintenance for students as possible.

“We really try to not take up parking spaces, to keep sidewalks open, to keep lighting flowing, to keep the facilities that (students) are going to be in warm and dry and lit and quiet as much as possible,” Spence said. “Sometimes it’s impossible, so we’re always very grateful for the students and for their tolerance of dealing with us.”

To view Liberty’s master construction plan, visit liberty.edu/masterplan.

TAIT is the asst. news editor.

1.

JANNEY is a news reporter.

2.

3.

Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion

4.

Breann Black| Liberty Champion

1. A new five-story dormitory is scheduled to open fall 2014. 2. Construction of vehicular tunnels is in its final stage. 3. Work continues on a new science hall planned to open fall 2014. 4. A worker lays bricks on Liberty’s new dormitory tower.

SPORTS

JANUARY 28, 2014

W. Tennis

Liberty 6

WVU 1

M. DII Hockey UMBC 4

Liberty 3

M. Basketball

M. D1 Hockey Ariz. St.

Liberty

6

2

B1

Liberty

Presby.

65

53

W. D1 Hockey Liberty 4

Miami 3

Men’s lax moves up

Sun Devils burn Flames

The goal will stay the same despite a new division Ryley Rush rarush@liberty.edu

the power play, and that’s not a recipe for success,” Liberty Head Coach Kirk Handy said. “(Penalties) are very tough, because you have guys sitting there for very long periods of time and we have to get away from that. We’re relying on four forwards to be playing instead of 13 forwards, which we have. You definitely have to stay out of the box.

Otherwise, only a certain percentage of your guys play.”

The Flames came back hungry at the start of the second period. Four minutes into the period, freshman forward Robert Ward won the faceoff and blasted Robert Ward won the faceoff and blasted a goal past Arizona goalie Joe D’Elia.

The Liberty men’s lacrosse team will make its Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) Division I (DI) debut Feb. 21 ranked eighth in the South Eastern Lacrosse Conference (SELC) per preseason polls released Jan. 2.

The Flames finished the 2012-13 season with an overall record of 18-2, winning the SELC Division II (DII) Championship and narrowly missing the MCLA DII championship game in a one-point overtime loss to defending champion University of St. Thomas.

Although they were pleased with the No. 8 slot, both Head Coach Kyle McQuillan and his players expressed their intentions to exceed their past successes.

“I’m happy with where we’re at, but I think we’re not content with being the No. 8 team in the SELC,” McQuillan said. “We want to be the No. 1 (team), and on a larger scale, we want to be ranked within the top 25 in the country. But I think it’s a good place to start.”

Senior long-stick midfielder Mike Zumpano, one of four team captains, agreed with his coach.

“We feel good about (the ranking), because we’ve always been a team that has kind of enjoyed the underdog role, and there’s room for improvement and room to move up,” Zumpano said. “So we’re excited about that.”

Other teammates are not as satisfied with their ranking and look to prove themselves on the field.

“I think we’re underrated,” senior attackman and fellow captain Kurt Tobias said, “But then again we haven’t played in DI yet, so they don’t necessarily know what we’re capable of. It’s good, better to be the underdog and work our way up.”

In order to do so, the Flames must win on a new stage against unfamiliar opponents.

Both team and coach, therefore, are much less concerned with preseason numbers than their fast-approaching season.

See COOLS, B3

See GOALS, B4

Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion

ICED — Arizona State gave Liberty more than they could handle in a two-game sweep at the LaHaye Ice Center.

No. 1 cools off Flames ASU Sun Devils proved too much to handle in a hard-fought weekend series Mary Omatiga momatiga@liberty.edu

Robert Seagers rseagears@liberty.edu

Tom Foote tfoote2@liberty.edu

Arizona State 5, Liberty 2 Liberty University’s men’s Division 1 (DI) Hockey team fell to Arizona State University (ASU) Friday, Jan. 24, losing 5-2 in round one of the two-game matchup at the LaHaye Ice Center.

This was their second loss this season against the No. 1 Arizona Sun Devils.

The series began with a 3-2 loss after an overtime goal from ASU forward Ryan Ostertag gave the Sun Devils the victory last Thursday, Jan. 16. The

Flames recovered by winning back-toback games in the three-game matchup against the Sun Devils last week in Tempe, Ariz.

After rising to No.3 in the ACHA D1 ranking, the Flames took the ice with high expectations. The first period began with a slow start, as the Flames missed opportunities to capitalize and dominate the game early.

With only 5:57 remaining in the first, ASU defenseman Drew Newmeyer netted the first goal of the game, giving the Sun Devils the lead. Shortly after, the Sun Devils scored their second goal on a power play.

This was the first of many power plays that contributed to ASU’s victory over the Flames.

“We gave them too many chances on

Men’s basketball rebounds After last-second loss to Longwood, Liberty bounced back to defeat Presbyterian

Derrick Battle dbattle2@liberty.edu

Emily Brown erbrown@liberty.edu

The Liberty Flames (9-12, 3-3 Big South) men’s basketball team split two Big South Conference games during the past week. The Flames lost to the Longwood Lancers (7-14, 2-4 Big South), Wednesday, Jan. 22, 69-66 and defeated the Presbyterian Blue Hose (4-17, 0-6 Big South) Saturday, Jan. 25, 65-53.

Longwood 66, LU 63 With six threes under his belt, Longwood guard Lucas Woodhouse capitalized on another three-point opportunity to seal the Lancers 69-66 win. Despite

WE’LL SEE YOU AT THE GAME

tough defense from Flames forward Antwan Burrus, the Woodhouse three sent a dagger through the Flames with 2.9 seconds remaining in regulation.

“I was just feeling it,” Woodhouse said. “So I just pulled up, and it went in.”

After the Flames advanced the ball to halfcourt, they called a timeout with 2.2 seconds left. Off the inbound, forward Tomasz Gielo had a chance to send it to overtime, but his shot clanked off the rim.

“It felt pretty good,” Gielo said. “...

When I got the ball, I was pretty far out, so I took a dribble and shot it. It felt good, but it didn’t go in.”

Liberty left Willet Hall still in search of their first victory at the venue (0-13).

“I thought we played a pretty good

W. Basketball vs. High Point Jan. 30 @ 7 p.m.

M. Tennis vs. Bluefield St. Jan. 31 @ 6 p.m.

road game,” Flames Head Coach Dale Layer said. “But, they are a good team here.”

Although they were unable to control Woodhouse, who came into the game ranked second in the NCAA in assists, the Flames kept other scores, such as guard Tristian Carey, on lock.

“They did the same thing last year,” Woodhouse said. “So I knew going into the game I had to be aggressive. I hit a couple shots at the beginning of the game, which got my confidence up and carried it onto the second half.”

Guard John Caleb Sanders held Carey to seven points on 3-8 shooting (all in the second half).

“We did a good job on (Carey),”

See REBOUNDS, B2

M. D1I Hockey vs. Pittsburgh.

Jan. 31 @ 8:30 p.m.

Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion

DUNK — Antwan Burrus scored his 1,000th career point against Presbyterian.

W. D1 Hockey vs. N’eastern.

Feb. 1 @ 5:30 p.m.

M. D1I Hockey vs. Pittsburgh.

Feb. 1 @ 8:30 p.m.

SPORTS

JANUARY 28, 2014

Liberty Champion/B2

Lady Flames tower over Lancers Points in the paint prove to be pivotal for Liberty in a blowout win, solidifying their place atop the standings Jeremy Jefferson jjefferson3@liberty.edu

The Liberty University Lady Flames (11-7, 7-2 Big South) forced their will early against the Longwood Lancers (6-12, 3-6 Big South) to remain first in the Big South standings with a 74-41 win Thursday, Jan. 23.

Liberty opened the game on a 24-9 run, forcing four turnovers during the stretch. Although the Lady Flames held a size advantage in the post, they were also balanced in their scoring, hitting five three pointers from the perimeter in the first half.

“We recognized (the size advantage) from a scout, and we knew our strength was trying to capitalize on our height advantage,” Liberty Head Coach Carey Green said.

Unlike the Lady Flames, the Lancers were never able to effectively score.

The Lancers struggled

from the field, shooting only 24 percent in the first half.

In the first 20 minutes, forward Ashley Rininger led the way for the Lady Flames with her presence in the paint. She went 3-10 in the half.

“My team has a lot of confidence in my ability to score, and they just consistently looked to give me the ball, which also helped to get open shots too,” Rininger said.

Rininger also had her way on the glass.

The Lancers were unable to keep her from grabbing rebounds over smaller defenders for the entire half.

Despite having developed a big lead, the Lady Flames let up on the pressure and let the Lancers cut into the margin on a long-range shot.

But the Lady Flames held onto a 37-26 lead going into the locker room, behind seven points each

REBOUNDS continued from B1 Layer said. “You’ve got to pick your poison a little bit. Carey got 40 on us last time we were here. … Woodhouse had a career game here tonight. When you overemphasize one thing, another thing is left.”

The Flames gained a sevenpoint lead to start the game behind 12 points from Gielo. However, toward the end of the half, Liberty could not hold onto the cushion and went into halftime up by four with the score 36-32.

In the second half, turnovers and poor shooting plagued the Flames. After shooting 53.8 percent in the first half, Liberty only shot 35.7 percent in the second.

They also committed seven turn-

from Rininger and guard Mickayla Sanders.

Coming out of halftime, Liberty opened up a 25-point margin by the 12:11 mark in the half.

Sanders erupted early in the second half with two three pointers and a three point-play that came the old-fashioned way. Her energy sparked the Lady Flames offense.

“Normally, when I am not very good the first half, I continue to not play well,” Sanders said. “I get down on myself, but I remembered our devotional speaker talking about attitude and how you can control your attitude. So I came out with a different fire and energy, and it paid off.”

The Lady Flames only allowed 15 points in the second half, keeping the Lancers scoreless for the final 3:49 of regulation.

With a 68-41 lead, the bench added more points to the tally.

overs, bringing their total to 15 and leading to 18 Longwood points.

“We are addressing (turnovers),” Layer said. “We’re benching guys, we’re watching tape and we’re putting them in situations that mimic the game. … It’s no question that it’s been the Achilles’ heel of this team.”

Toward the end of the game, Burrus hit a jumper to put the Flames up 63-58. However, turnovers and a 5:24 scoring drought hurt Liberty.

Woodhouse hit three threes in the final 2:44 to seal the victory. “(Woodhouse) made big shots,” Layer said. “We had a 6-foot-9-inch guy on him, and (shots) were challenged. You’ve got to give him credit.”

Gielo tied his career high with 20 points and added 10 rebounds

“I am really pleased with the contribution from the bench,” Green said.

“They played actively, achieving and playing for a purpose instead of being in the game (just) for resting people” The Lady Flames bench finished with 34 points.

Guard Jaymee Fisher-Davis came off the bench and scored 11 of her 16 points in the second half.

Rebounding was also key in the Lady Flames victory, as they out-rebounded the Lancers 51-27 in the game. The margin led to 16 secondchance points.

Sanders finished with 16 points and five rebounds, while Rininger added nine points and eight rebounds.

The Lady Flames will be in action next as they host the High Point Panthers Thursday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m.

JEFFERSON is a sports reporter.

as well. Center JR Coronado also had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Burrus added 13 points and six rebounds.

Liberty 65, Presbyterian 53 The Flames bounced back from two straight losses with a 65-53 win over the Presbyterian College (PC) Blue Hose at home Saturday, Jan. 25.

“There’s nothing like a win,” Layer said. “(In past games we have been) struggling down the stretch, struggling with turnovers that allow us to not be the team we need to be. And to limit those tonight and to get a win, I think, allows us to feel a little bit better about ourselves.”

In the first half, Liberty jumped out to an 8-4 lead behind two three pointers from se-

Leah Stauffer| Liberty Champion

LOOKING FOR AN OPENING — John Caleb Sanders looks for space against Presbyterian.

Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion

HEIGHT — Liberty used its size to score points.

nior guard Davon Marshall.

However, the Blue Hose answered with a couple threes of their own from the game’s leading scorer Jordan Downing. His second three went through the net with 12 minutes left in the half to give PC a 14-13 lead.

“Now (Downing is) the go-to guy,” Sanders said. “…You can try to contest (his shots), but … it’s almost like he doesn’t even feel you there.”

Only 30 seconds later, Sanders took back the Flames lead with a three, spurring a 12-3 run.

But the Flames defense faltered on the next several possessions. The nine-point lead quickly dwindled to one after an 8-0 PC run.

The two teams traded baskets to end the half with the Flames clinging to a 33-31 lead going into the locker room.

Although Liberty only shot 37.9 percent in the half, the Flames were able to hold onto the lead because of their ability to rebound.

With 21 rebounds, the Flames more than doubled the Blue Hose rebounding total of eight in the first half. Liberty’s ability to grab offensive rebounds led to 11 second-chance points for the Flames.

Also in the first 20 minutes, Burrus contributed five points and became the 24th Flame in history to eclipse the 1,000-point mark in his career.

To start the second half, Gielo provided a spark for the Flames with a layup and two three pointers. Three minutes into the half, Liberty had stretched the lead out to 44-35. “(Gielo’s) threes were the daggers in the second half that allowed us to extend the lead, and that’s what we missed the first half,” Layer said.

By the second media timeout of the half, the Flames increased the margin to 10 with a

triple from senior guard Casey Roberts.

Despite their best efforts and 24 total points from Downing, the Blue Hose never trailed by less than 10 for the remainder of the game.

The Flames held the Blue Hose to 22 points on 34.6 percent shooting in the second half.

The Blue Hose finished 41.7 percent for the game.

“Defensively, we were much better second half than in the first half,” Layer said. “We limited them to contested jumpers, which they were making them, but it’s hard to live on them.”

The stingy defense also led to offense for the Flames, who converted seven Blue Hose turnovers for 11 points in the game.

Liberty finished with a 43.6 shooting percentage.

Rebounding was also a determining factor in the Liberty win.

The Flames out-rebounded the Blue Hose 41-18 on the night, and Liberty scored 16 total points off 17 offensive rebounds.

The Flames received contributions from their bench as well.

Roberts scored eight on the night with two threes, and Burrus finished with a double-double on 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Starters Sanders and Gielo each added 13 for Liberty. Sanders added 10 assists to complete the double-double.

“I think if I have more of a mindset of a point guard, not a scoring point guard, but really pass first, I think that’ll help us,” Sanders said. “And maybe late in the game, if I need to go get some buckets, I can do that.”

Liberty will head to Conway, S.C., to take on conference rival Coastal Carolina Wednesday, Jan. 29.

BATTLE is the sports editor.

BROWN is a copy editor.

SPORTS

JANUARY 28, 2014

Editorial:

Liberty Champion/B3

Making sense of Richard Sherman

The controversial cornerback has created a media buzz after his remarks in a postgame interview Alex Tichenor atichenor@liberty.edu

San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick launched the potential go-ahead pass to Michael Crabtree in the corner of the end zone with time winding down in the Jan. 19 NFC Championship game.

One problem – Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman was shadowing Crabtree, tipping the ball right into the hands of his Seahawks teammate Malcolm Smith. Game over. Seahawks win 23-17.

Then the real entertainment began.

Sherman got into Crabtree’s face after the interception and shortly thereafter flashed a choke sign at Kaepernick. Then came the interview. As soon as Fox reporter Erin Andrews raised her microphone, Sherman took a shot at Crabtree, calling him “sorry,” while proclaiming — or rather yelling in an adrenaline-fueled frenzy — himself “the best corner in the game.”

Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas morning was kinder than the public’s mass reaction to Sherman’s antics. First there were those who offered the opinion that Sherman was “immature, obnoxious, crazy,” and they at least had a decent argument.

Sherman’s talkative act is not for everyone. But those relatively harmless monikers unfortunately led to the more sinister accusations of Sherman being a “thug.”

What did Sherman do that was so wrong, besides not adhering perfectly to the silly rules of sportsmanship we have crafted over the years? He called himself the best cornerback in the game — an opinion shared by many football experts.

Calling Crabtree “sorry” and “mediocre”

COOLS continued from B1 With roughly 2,000 fans packed into the LaHaye Ice Center, the crowd exploded as Ward put the Flames on the board for the first time that night.

But the crowd was quickly silenced seconds later when the Sun Devils scored on a breakaway goal, putting Liberty back at a two-goal deficit. The Sun Devils later advanced to a 4-1 lead when Ostertag put another goal past Liberty goalie Blair Bennett.

Six minutes into the third period, ASU freshman forward Michael Cummings scored his first shot of the night.

Frustration filled the arena as penalties against the Flames piled up when players dropped their gloves. “(Penalties are) a really tough thing for us,” Liberty captain and senior defenseman Jackson Kuhn said. “Our penalty kill is great, but you give teams enough chances like that, and it turns the tide.”

With only 4:54 left in the game, Liberty sophomore forward Peter Kazmierczak, a DII call up, tipped in his first goal of the season, taking the Flames to a final score of 5-2.

Arizona State 6, Liberty 2 In the second game between No. 1 ASU and No. 3 Liberty, the Flames suffered their sixth consecutive defeat to the Sun Devils, 6-2, Saturday, Jan. 26 at the LaHaye Ice Center.

“We felt good coming into today’s game,” Liberty captain Andrew McCombe said. “We know we’re a good team, and we know we have to stay out of the penalty box to be successful.”

In a back-and-forth opening to the game, Cummings struck first for the Sun Devils with a goal at the 17:01 mark in the first period.

Liberty then received two penalties, and ASU capitalized with two powerplay goals. After the scores, the Sun

may not be accurate, but he’s certainly not “the greatest catcher of all-time” as Jim Harbaugh exclaimed a few weeks ago.

Hyperbole is only acceptable if positive, I guess.

The “thug” name issued by many misguided pundits was the most concerning.

The most trouble Sherman has ever been in was almost receiving a four-game suspension, which he successfully appealed, for violating the NFL’s drug policy by taking Adderall.

Aside from his run-ins with the league’s drug policy, Sherman should be considered someone to respect.

Degrees like the one Sherman has from Stanford are usually not typical of thugs.

Thugs do not usually finish second in their high school class with 4.2 GPAs as Sherman did, according to Sports Illustrated.

There’s more thug in a Volkswagen Beetle than there is in Richard Sherman.

A more fitting word for what Sherman did is “authentic.” What should we want out of a trash-talking football player who just made a great play to send his team to the Super Bowl — a polite “both teams played hard?” Sherman brought the emotions of the game and a sneak peek of the trash talk that occurs on the field that is rarely seen in sideline interviews. The controversial interview was G-rated compared to words football players exchange on the field, guaranteed.

Who is supposed to be the victim of the situation — Erin Andrews, who tweeted after the game that she had no problem with Sherman’s interview? It’s not like Sherman made a grabby attempt at Andrews like Joe Namath did in his infamous sideline interview, in which he told Suzy Devils finished the first period with a 3-0 lead.

“Five on five, we played very well,” Handy said in an article on Liberty’s Club Sports Website. “But we were very undisciplined tonight, and they were able to score three goals on power plays, which pretty much was the difference maker.”

To start the second period, the Flames turned up the pressure on ASU, resulting in multiple shots on goal and finally capitalized with a goal from Ward, assisted by Ryley Egan and Kuhn, at the 11:22 mark.

The Sun Devils quickly halted the Flames momentum, scoring just 56 seconds later to regain the three-goal lead.

In an attempt to change the outlook of the game, Ward added his second goal on the night, but ASU answered yet again with its third power play goal of the night. The ASU score put the Sun Devils up 5-2 at the end of the second period.

Despite the setbacks to the top-ranked Sun Devils, Handy still maintained a positive attitude.

“What we need to build toward is to work on a championship discipline level,” Handy said. “We’re not there yet, but we didn’t lose the national championship this weekend. We’re going to continue to refine our game and continue to improve on our team.”

The Flames will return to action Friday, Jan. 31 as they travel to take on the No. 7 Delaware Blue Hens.

OMATIGA is a sports reporter.

SEAGERS is a sports reporter.

FOOTE is the asst. sports editor.

Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion

BURNED — Arizona State solidified its No. 1 ranking after two wins at Libery.

Google Images

SPARK PLUG — Richard Sherman’s comments have thrust him into the spotlight.

Kolber he wanted to kiss her. If anything, Sherman made Andrews’ job easier, with there being no need to inspire material out of him.

The absurd double-standard the public has for athletes makes it impossible for them to win. We do not want the same old clichés, but we also do not want to hear what athletes are really thinking either, especially if it is even a tad controversial. Peyton Manning does not hear much criticism because he sticks to studying film, making Papa John’s commercials and spitting out clichés like a baseball player spits out sunflower seeds. So when

Richard Sherman raises his voice and displays some of the confidence that helps make him great, it is treated like he just insulted Mister Rogers.

Sherman does not work a 9-to-5 desk job. He is an entertainer. That’s what professional sports exist for — entertainment of the public. Still, some fans will still hold resentment toward him and take an attitude of “just shut up and play.”

Maybe those fans should just shut up and be entertained.

TICHENOR is a sports reporter.

Super Bowl preview Top-ranked offense and defense collide for NFL title

Tom Foote tfoote2@liberty.edu

The NFL is adored by millions of Americans because of the stories that are told throughout games and seasons. For years, the underdog finds a way to capture the heart of America by slaying the seemingly unstoppable force. Whether it is the New York Giants finding a way to beat the undefeated New England Patriots in 2008 or Kurt Warner’s final chance for Super Bowl glory with the Arizona Cardinals in 2009, the underdog always creates a connection between fans.

As fun as seeing “David” slaying “Goliath” can be, sometimes seeing the two best teams throughout the regular season meet for a chance to win the Lombardi Trophy is not such a bad thing.

This season, the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks were the best two teams all season long. Since the first week of the season when Peyton Manning decimated the Baltimore Ravens defense for seven touchdowns, the Broncos appearance in the Super Bowl seemed inevitable.

The Seahawks shared a common record with the Broncos, 13-3, but their path to that record was much different.

The Broncos dominated teams with a record-setting offense, averaging 37.9 points per game, while the Seahawks led the league with a scintillating defense, allowing a mere 14.4 points per game.

The clash of styles is perhaps what makes this game as intriguing as any past Super Bowl. Not very often does the best offense face off against the best defense, and we should savor this opportunity to truly see the two best teams duke it out for the title.

When the two best teams collide, the statistics are always thoroughly examined and scrutinized, but in the end, the intangibles are what put one team over the top.

Two completely different characters lead the offense and defense of the Seahawks. Soft-spoken, second-year, quarterback Russell Wilson leads the Seahawks on offense, while the self-proclaimed “best corner in the game,” Richard Sherman, leads the stingy defense.

Ironically, Sherman’s professional wrestling-style postgame interview with Erin Andrews in which he exclaimed, “Don’t talk about me” has become the most talked about story leading up to the Super Bowl. The boisterous claims and remarks have generated even more buzz surrounding his matchup with Manning and the Broncos offense. Some have called Sherman arrogant and classless, leading them to root against the Seahawks, while some were led to root for the Seahawks, applauding Sherman for

showing emotion and not giving a cliché postgame interview.

Whether you liked or disliked the Sherman interview, he has generated an interest in a game that some may not have cared about much before.

No matter how much talking is done before the game, what happens on the field is what really matters.

Yes, the Sherman-Manning matchup will be analyzed thousands of times on ESPN leading up to Sunday, but that matchup alone will not decide the game.

The Seahawks defense is much more than Sherman, and the Broncos offense is much more than Manning.

Both are just one of 11 men on their respective units. Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor and Bobby Wagner are also important parts of the top-ranked Seahawks defense, which will be attempting to slow down the lethal receiving core of Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Eric Decker and Julius Thomas of the Broncos.

However, just like any game that features two evenly matched opponents, the determining factor usually comes down to the unexpected play or player — the xfactor. Who would have predicted David Tyree would catch a football on his helmet, Jacoby Jones to have two touchdowns or the New Orleans Saints to attempt an onside kick to start the second half of a Super Bowl?

Those unexpected heroes and plays are what make the Super Bowl unlike any other sporting event.

This year, expect the unexpected. Maybe Peyton Manning struggles in the cold weather and Knowshon Moreno runs wild on the Seahawks defense, or maybe Jermaine Kearse catches the gamewinning touchdown for the Seahawks yet again.

Whatever the determining factor in the game may be, expect the game to be as competitive as most Super Bowls have been in recent memory. After all the talk and predictions, expect the defense of the Seahawks to be just good enough to squeak by the high-powered offense of the Broncos and walk away as Super Bowl Champions for the first time in franchise history.

Prediction: Seahawks 30, Broncos 27 FOOTE is the asst. sports editor.

SPORTS

Liberty Champion/B4

JANUARY 28, 2014

Swimming and diving make a splash Liberty takes over the No. 15 ranking in the mid-major polls after defeating Vanderbilt and West Florida Nate Haywood

nhaywood@liberty.edu

The Liberty Lady Flames swimming and diving team (6-4, 1-0) hopes to continue riding their momentum to the Davidson Duals Swim Meet after its dominating performance in a Jan. 18 meet against Vanderbilt and West Florida. The Lady Flames came in first place in eight of the 16 events in the competition.

Senior Emilie Kaufman finished first in three of the four events she competed in, including the women’s 200 medley relay.

“In the pool, I’ve definitely become a stronger athlete emotionally,” Kaufman said. “My head is in my races more. …

“I’m a more positive swimmer, and I think I can credit a lot of that to (Head Coach Jake Shellenberger).”

Sophomore Jess Reinhardt and Junior Meghan Babcock also contributed to both relay wins. Reinhardt won the women’s 100 butterfly and finished second in the women’s 200 butterfly. Babcock too had success, as she won the women’s 50 freestyle while finishing second in the 100 freestyle.

Shellenberger said he was pleased with his team’s performance after having not competed in nearly two months.

The Vanderbilt meet took place Jan. 18, while Liberty’s previous meet took place Nov. 23.

“In practice, we did a lot of different things to simulate racing,” Shellenberger said. “You can stand up on the blocks and dive as much as you want and work on specific race details as much as you want, but it’s kind of like football and basketball — it’s not game speed. …You really have

GOALS continued from B1 “You kind of have to start over, (and) the scouting reports are a little bit more bare because you haven’t seen a lot of these teams,” McQuillan said. “So we just want to make sure that we’re ready. That’s the biggest thing — preparation. The best team will come out on top, and we just want to make sure we’ve done everything we can to be that team.”

The coach’s straightforward attitude

Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion

PROGRESS — The swimming and diving team looks to build on its current success with a strong perfomance at the Davidson Duals Jan. 31-Feb. 1. to race to get back into racing shape.”

Shellenberger has coached the team for four years now, and the Lady Flames have progressed each year during his tenure.

Under Shellenberger, the Lady Flames have a 39-17 record.

Shellenberger is also doing what he can to have a direct, positive impact on his team.

Liberty will face Davidson University (6-2), Howard University (0-11, 0-2), and Georgia Southern University (5-1, 2-0) Friday, Jan. 31. Shellenberger was confident that his team’s recent victory would motivate them in the future. “(The victory) helps a lot,” Shellenberger said. “Athletes compete not because they love to practice. They do it because

they love to race. … Competition is why we do it. We don’t train to train. We train to race.”

naturally leads the Flames to a simple game plan.

“We’re just going to stick to our strengths and make adjustments as we go along,” Zumpano said. “A lot of things — studying film, stuff like that — will probably help, but for the most part, I think it’s just about knowing who we are and what we’re capable of as a team.”

Topping the list of the unique strengths the Flames plan to use this season is the team’s significant depth.

“We’ve always been a very good team, in terms of our starting guys having always been great players, but we’ve sometimes been shallow,” McQuillan said. “I think this season, teams will see that we’ve got not just one and two, but potentially three and four lines of guys that are very good lacrosse players. Our midfield in particular I think is going to be pretty spectacular.”

The Flames first match will be agaisnt the Wake Forest University Demon

Deacons.

“I think we were credited with what we were able to accomplish in the last three seasons, but at the end of the day, it’s just a number,” McQuillan said. “We have a lot to prove. We’ve got a lot at stake. We just want to make sure that we’re ready.”

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FEATURE

JANUARY 28, 2014

Liberty Champion/B5

International students gather

Newcomers observe cultural differences as they get accustomed to life in the United States Elizabeth Brownd ebrownd@liberty.edu

Each semester, Liberty welcomes students from all over the world and helps these students settle into what is often a new way of life.

According to Kristina Bautista, operations assistant and health insurance representative at the International Student Center, there are currently 973 international students enrolled residentially at Liberty, and of those students, 102 are new this year.

According to the report, there are 275 Korean students at Liberty, which makes up the largest percentage of international students. Canada had the second-highest number with 181 students. China was close behind with 102 students, leaving Nigeria (35 students) and the Bahamas (24 students) in fourth and fifth places, respectively.

Bautista said that international students come to Liberty for a wide variety of reasons. The Christian environment and large international population are only two of the deciding factors.

Another reason international students come to Liberty is because they know other internationals here, according to Bautista.

One such student is Ignacio Pereyra, who is from Bolivia. Pereyra attended an international high school accredited by the Network of International Christian Schools. After graduation, he and a few fellow classmates came to Liberty.

Originally from La Paz, Bolivia, Pereyra had never lived in the U.S. until his freshman year of college.

“I love it here,” Pereyra said. “Really, really, really love it.”

He was quick to add, however, that he did not particularly care for the winter weather. He was not used to below-freezing temperatures.

Pereyra also said that South American culture is much more open in comparison to the culture of the U.S. “It’s all based on feelings — even business,” he said. “If you like someone, then you do business with that person.”

Pereyra added that the food here is also different. Bolivian food is based mostly on meat, potatoes and corn. It is also much more organic, adhering to a simple “grow it and eat it” philosophy.

Leettitia Jean Paul, a student from Haiti, also cited food as a major difference between the U.S. and her home country.

“Everything there is full of spices,” she said. “Personally, I think food in America is bland. It’s good, but food in Haiti has

Meighan Thompson | Liberty Champion

WORLDWIDE — More than 45 percent of Liberty’s 973 international students are from Asian countries. more taste.”

Jean Paul came to Liberty at the urging of her mother, who wanted her to attend a Christian university.

“At first, I didn’t really like it because everything was just so different,” Jean Paul said. “But now I love it. I know it’s cliché, but this is the best school ever. I don’t think I’d ever go anywhere else.”

Jean Paul said that people in the U.S. are nicer and more generous than people in Haiti. Her home city of Port-au-Prince, the capital city of Haiti, is extremely fastpaced. She said she much prefers the

quiet of Lynchburg.

“Everything there is go, go, go,” Jean Paul said. “Here, everyone is chill and takes time to say hello.”

While she misses her family back in Haiti, Jean Paul said that the best thing about being in the U.S. is the number of opportunities.

Though they are far away from home, Bautista said that the international students she knows all have a good experience at Liberty.

“They have very positive reactions to the environment academically, socially

and spiritually,” Bautista said.

Bautista advised American students to keep an open mind when interacting with international students and try to ignore any preexisting stereotypes.

Pereyra also asked American students to realize that internationals will eventually run out of stories.

“What seems impressive to you is normal to us and vice versa,” he said. “Don’t expect to be awed every time.”

BROWND is a feature reporter.

Frozen race

Runners brave the cold and explore the hills of the Liberty trail system Ashley Bunner abunner@liberty.edu

Brisk winter weather greeted runners that gathered at the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre for the third-annual Arctic 5k Trail Race, which was hosted by Student Activities (SA), Saturday, Jan. 25.

According to Bekah Davis, an SA employee, there were approximately 150 runners at this year’s race.

The race was SA’s first of the new this year and is the most intense race that SA hosts, according to Davis.

According to SA Associate Director Joshua Yeoman, there are two things that make this race different than the other SA races.

“This is one hard 5k,” Yeoman said. “It is hard for two reasons.

First, the weather at this time of year is unpredictable and precarious. Second, the elevation gain and loss for the course is huge compared to our other races. Some might call parts of this race more of a hike.”

The race began and ended at Snowflex. According to Yeoman, the trails for the course are on the Liberty Mountain Trail System.

According to AccuWeather.com, the temperatures were in the 20s as the runners gathered at the starting line.

Brandon Taylor, 20, finished the

race in first place with a time of 24:21. Fellow runner Dakota Pellman, who is 23 and has run several races in the past, said that the frigid temperatures made the race one of his most difficult. Pellman finished in fourth place overall and in first place in his age group.

“It was really hard not to cramp up … just with the cold and the snow on the trails,” Pellman said.

Sarah Snyder, a junior at Liberty University, said that the race was harder than she expected it to be. “(I think) it was more like a hike,” Snyder said. “I slipped and fell at one point. … The weather didn’t affect me though. I enjoy the cold.

Starting out is hard, but you get used to it.”

Snyder did not train for the race, but said that she is in a running class that helped her with the race.

The Arctic 5k was her second race.

Winners received their medals at an awards ceremony held in the Barrick-Falwell Lodge at the Snowflex Centre after the race was finished.

For more information about upcoming SA events, visit liberty. edu/studentactivities.

BUNNER is a feature reporter.

Leah Stauffer | Liberty Champion

FRIGID — The difficult course paired with the cold challenged runners at every stage.

FEATURE

Liberty Champion/B6

JANUARY 28, 2014

Leah Stauffer | Liberty Champion

SOCIALIZING — Guests participated in outdoor winter activities and indoor games while settling in and learning about the new culture.

Students settle into new lifestyle

Winter World Wide Welcome brings internationals together for a night of fun and community Lauren Glossner lbglossner@liberty.edu

The Liberty University International Student Services held its annual Winter World Wide Welcome Friday, Jan. 24 during which international students from Liberty and other colleges in the area gathered at the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre to enjoy free food, fellowship and fun.

According to Kristina Bautista, operations assistant and insurance representative for International Student Services, the Winter World Wide Welcome has been an annual event since 2004.

Students enjoyed many winter activities such as skiing, snowboarding and tubing.

Students who preferred not to venture into the cold instead stayed warm in the lodge, socialized and played board games like checkers and chess.

“At the Winter World Wide Welcome, the students get to know each other and the new students get plugged in and introduced to the culture,” Yuliya Shubina, a receptionist at the International Student Services, said.

William E. Wegert, dean of International Student Programs, created this event to enable both new and returning international students to get to know one another. In addition, Liberty extended an invitation for the event to other international college students in the area.

“We invite other colleges’ international students so our students can be connected with other colleges,” Bautista said.

Shreeya Pandey, a Randolph College student from Nepal, came to the event two years ago and returned again this year. She said she had a lot of fun and enjoyed meeting new people and eating

“

Every student has a story, and I get to hear that story. I have the best job on campus.

pizza. She added that she was very grateful that Liberty opened its facilities to the international students from local colleges.

According to Wegert, each student has a different story and experience.

“Every student has a story, and I get to hear that story. I have the best job on campus,” Wegert said.

Alfred Khuri, a Liberty senior from Jerusalem, said he enjoyed the fact that the event was not structured, but that it had a relaxing and casual atmosphere that was

— WILLIAM E. WEGERT perfect for socializing and mingling.

“My favorite part of this event is just hanging out with people I know,” Stosic said.

International Student Services records indicate that approximately 100 students attended the event this year.

For more information about future International Student Services events, visit liberty.edu/international.

GLOSSNER is a news reporter.

Program starts Daniel Plan promotes spiritual and physical health A

P

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M

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Melanie Oelrich moelrich@liberty.edu

The ultimate in college living Beautiful Courtyard The Fusion Club LU Shuttle

Spacious Apartments Tanning Bed Fitness Center

The beginning of the new year brings new opportunities for Liberty University students to move toward a healthy lifestyle and follow through with New Year’s resolutions.

Robin Quay, Liberty’s registered dietitian, will be leading The Daniel Plan, a six-week wellness program that concentrates on food and fitness as well as faith, focus and community with fellow Christians.

Pastor and author Rick Warren — best known for “The Purpose Driven Life” — along with the help of leading doctors, developed The Daniel Plan. According to its website, love was the motivation for The Daniel Plan.

“It’s a reflection of God’s love for us,” the website said. “It’s a story of abundance, not deprivation. It’s a step-bystep approach that helps you make small changes that lead to big results. Your journey is one of progress, never perfection.”

According to Quay, the Daniel Plan is framed around the essentials, faith, food, fitness, focus and friends, which are life areas that all work together to restore

and sustain long-term health.

“Faith is the foundation with God as the source of power and the energy behind all transformational change,” Quay said. “As you follow The Daniel Plan, you will discover that you have a part to play in getting healthier, but God will energize your efforts. We have learned that doing The Daniel Plan in community is the secret sauce.”

Quay said that people who do the program together lose 50 percent more weight.

The Daniel Plan will meet for six consecutive Tuesday evenings, beginning Jan. 28 and ending March 4. Sodexo will be providing a workbook to students who participate in the program.

The first meeting for The Daniel Plan is tonight, Jan. 28 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Reber-Thomas executive dining room. The class is free, but is limited to the first 30 students who sign up.

For more information or questions about the program, contact Robin Quay at rquay@liberty.edu.

OELRICH is a news reporter.

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EATING RIGHT — Quay said that community affects the plan’s effectiveness.

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Alluvion enriches, educates Liberty partners with Alluvion Stage Company to bring “Kindertransport” to the Warehouse Theater stage Jeremy Beale jbeale3@liberty.edu

The Alluvion Stage Company, which has produced plays such as Peter Pan, Tarzan and Les Miserables will be opening its curtains to premiere British playwright Diane Samuels’ award-winning drama “Kindertransport,” Thursday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Alluvion will host “Kindertransport” at the Academy of Fine Arts Warehouse Theater located at 600 Main St. in downtown Lynchburg. The show will run for four straight days, Jan. 30-Feb. 2 at 7:30

p.m. and will have additional shows Feb. 1-2 at 3:00 p.m.

According to Alluvion’s website, the play is a generational tale that depicts a program implemented by the British government in 1938 that gave Jewish children safe passage to the United Kingdom, sparing them from the horrors of German death camps.

Alluvion has been producing the play since early January, according to its website.

The play will include some of Liberty University’s veteran actors, such as Sarah Seaman who leads as Eva, Whitney Tatum as Evelyn, and supporting actors

Rebekah Anwyll, Carson Burkett, Cody Carwile, Jamie Cloutier, Erica Mini and Melissa Yowell.

“In its particulars, the play ‘Kindertransport’ is about a fictional child who was evacuated from Germany,” Alluvion’s web synopsis said. “It is about separation, about the choices we make in our attempts to keep our children safe, and about the reverberations of traumatic events through generations of a family.”

According to the Alluvion Stage Company’s website, its goal is to enrich, educate and entertain the community with the theatre experience.

“The atmosphere of the second stage is very relaxed and intimate,” Kaylin Mercer, the stage manager, said. “It is a very nontraditional, city-like feeling — very much like the type of space you would find off Broadway.”

Tickets are $20 for premium seats, $15 for standard, $10 for economy and $5 for restricted view seats. Tickets can be purchased at the Vines Center box office or at the Warehouse Theater before the show.

For more information on the play, visit AlluvionStage.com.

BEALE is a feature reporter.

Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion

PREPARATION — Performers get ready to peresent the historically based play, “Kindertransport,” which details conditions children faced in Nazi Germany.

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JANUARY 28, 2014

Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion

PRAISE — The Campus Praise Band led worship Wednesday, Jan. 23 before a night of spiritual reflection led by the week’s speaker, Miles McPherson.

Spiritual Emphasis Week kicks off semester

Students gather in Thomas Road and the Vines Center to experience worship and teaching Olivia Brown obrown5@liberty.edu

For more than two decades, Liberty University has begun each semester with a week dedicated to spiritual depth and development. According to Liberty’s website, Spiritual Emphasis Week is meant to minister to the needs of its students while encouraging them to live Sprit-filled lives.

Guest speaker Miles McPherson returned for the fourth time to Liberty to lead the event Wednesday-Friday, Jan. 22-24. McPherson is a former NFL player and currently serves as the senior pastor of The Rock Church in San Diego, Calif.

McPherson spoke on how Christians have an “amigos con derechos” — literally translated to “friends with benefits” — relationship with the devil and with Christ.

According to McPherson, many Christians forget the

impact that “flirting with the enemy” can have. Just as Christians must be cautious to adhere to boundaries in romantic relationships, McPherson said that Christians must remain equally guarded against the temptations of Satan. He warned students to be aware of the “whispers of the devil next to you.”

“When you make a contract with the devil, you give him authority … legal jurisdiction, spiritual jurisdiction … over part of your life,” McPherson said in Friday’s Convocation.

Sophomore Kendra Smith said she thought that Friday’s sermon was a good reminder to students that Christians are constantly engaged in spiritual warfare.

“I thought his sermon was really good,” Smith said. “(What stood out to me was) the passage that our war is not against the flesh and blood, but against the rulers and authorities.”

According to McPherson, he has been preparing to

deliver this message specifically to Liberty students for several months.

“God has been putting this whole series on the Holy Spirit and spiritual battles on my heart for the last six months,” McPherson said.

McPherson acknowledged that Spiritual Emphasis Week helps to set the tone for each new semester, and hopes that it will assist students in focusing first and foremost on Christ.

“Hopefully it kick starts (Liberty students’) spiritual journey this semester and gets them focused on God,” McPherson said.

To stay in contact with McPherson, students can download his newest application called Miles a Minute.

Users of the application will be able to listen to and share daily one-minute video devotionals.

FACS introduces two new classes The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences courses demonstrate new aspects of baking and interior design Kathleen Dewitt kedewitt@liberty.edu

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) introduced two new courses in the spring 2014 semester for students seeking to increase their culinary and interior design skills.

The courses, Bakeshop and Catering and CAD I: Computer Aided Design for Interiors, provide hands-on learning opportunities for students. According to Kitchel, Bakeshop and Catering was created as a result of student demand.

“We added the class because there was a student interest in baking,” Kitchel said.

The cooking class filled up quickly, according to Kitchel, because students wanted to learn how to bake a wide variety of sweet confections that are not included in other culinary classes the FACS

department already offers. “(In the class) we are going to learn how to cook anything you can bake,” Kitchel said. “We will cook scones … pretzels, cakes and even our own version of PopTarts from scratch.”

Kitchel said that all baked goods will be made from scratch to help students increase their culinary skills and gain practical experience.

In addition, the new interior design class will provide fresh opportunities for students to learn. According to Ruth Gomes, assistant professor of FACS, CAD I will implement technology to equip students for their future career fields.

“For internships and jobs, companies are looking for people who know computer aspects of design as well as knowledge of materials and interiors,” Gomes said.

The class will use the computer pro-

gram AutoCAD to aid with projects. The program will allow students to create twodimensional floor plans and elevations.

From there, students will use Sketchup Pro to transform the two-dimensional drawings into three-dimensional computer models.

Once a model is created, design elements such as furniture, wall décor and detailed flooring, can be added.

“With the program, you can draw, change and manipulate designs quickly,” Gomes said. “Everything (in the model) is based on real measurements,” Gomes said.

These technological advances not only decrease the time it takes to improve projects, but using the program also helps students within the professional realm, according to Gomes.

“Our primary focus is on learning the skills necessary for their profession. We are excited about where they are headed,”

Gomes said.

With the AutoCAD program, Gomes said that students will complete design projects including a hotel suite and vacation cabin. These projects will test not only design ability but will also require students to take dimensions, space and path construction into account when choosing furniture for each location. The projects will be used as portfolio pieces and will give students practical interior design experience.

According to these professors, both classes teach valuable skills students will use when they enter the work force.

For more information about the Department of Family & Consumer Sciences, visit liberty.edu/facs.

DEWITT is a feature reporter.