Baseball stumbles against UMD B1
Annual Paint Race takes place
B8
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Lynchburg, Virginia
Volume 32 | Issue 21 April 21, 2015
a game of inches
Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion
PHOTO FINISH — After dropping a potential RPI booster to Maryland April 15, the Flames took two of three to win a series with Longwood April 17-18.
Speaker selected Senior class to hear from former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush Emily Brown erbrown@liberty.edu
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KEYNOTE — Graduating class will hear from a potential presidential candidate.
Liberty University officials announced that potential presidential candidate and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will speak at the school’s 42nd Commencement Saturday, May 9. Jeb Bush, 62, was elected as Florida’s 43rd governor in 1998, serving two terms from 1999-2007. He is the first two-term Republican to hold the position of governor in Florida.
“Liberty University is honored to welcome Gov. Jeb Bush to campus for our 42nd commencement exercises,” President Jerry Falwell said. “Throughout his years of public service, Gov. Bush has been a champion for excellence in education and so many other issues of vital importance to our university community.” During his time as governor, Jeb Bush was well known for his education reform. Recently, he is known for his support of Common Core. Jeb Bush also campaigns for comprehen-
sive immigration reform, and he is a strong gun rights advocate. The former Florida governor announced Dec. 16, 2014, he would “actively explore” a run for president, though there is no specific timeline for an official announcement. Jeb Bush formed a leadership political action committee Jan. 6, 2015. Jeb Bush is the younger brother of former president George W. Bush and is the son of former president George H.W. Bush, who addressed
Liberty graduates in 1990. Jeb Bush graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Latin American affairs and served as Florida’s Secretary of Commerce before being elected governor. Commencement will take place in Williams Stadium at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 9.
BROWN is the editor-in-chief.
Quincy “Two-term” Thompson Current SGA student body president re-elected, makes Liberty history Cassandra Steptoe cbsteptoe@liberty.edu
Quincy Thompson made university history last week when he was elected as the first-ever two-term Student Government Association (SGA) president. Students voted to elect the new student body president and vice president in the 2015-2016 Liberty University SGA elections April 15.
Thompson ran for re-election with former Junior Class President Jack Heaphy running for vice president. Former Student Body Vice President Tanveer Bhatia also ran for president with Campus Concerns Committee Chairman Jonah Aspegren running for vice president. Both candidates ran threeday campaigns in an effort to inform students about their individual platforms.
The winners were announced Wednesday evening in DeMoss Hall. Thompson and Heaphy received 1,947 votes, and their opponents Bhatia and Aspegren received 1,276. “I am beyond blessed that the student body would have Jack and I be their representative voice for another year,” Thompson said. “I am humbled ... to serve a student body that I know and believe God will do
great things through.” Heaphy said he looks forward to serving as vice president next year. “I am so thankful for all the volunteers that put in countless hours to make this happen,” Heaphy said. “I am excited to work alongside Quincy to serve students and enable them to achieve great things.” According to Thompson, SGA is one of the biggest
Annual Cessna conference to be hosted at Liberty for first time. A6
Opinion
Drinking culture often to blame for sexual violence on college campuses. A5
Sports
Lady Flames crush conference rival Coastal Carolina. B1
STEPTOE is a news reporter.
Feature
News Opinion
Macklyn Mosley begins Instagram account to overcome racial issues. B5
A1 A4
Sports Feature
B1 B4
INSIDE THE CHAMPION
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advocates for Liberty students. “SGA is a place where every student can voice their ideas to the administration,” Thompson said. “(It) is a place where students from all walks of life can plug in and find a community of leaders who want to better their university.”
news
A2 | April 21, 2015 | Liberty Champion
Ministry sees modification Nationwide survey spurs School of Religion to construct new department Emily Hoosier eahoosier@liberty.edu
In a time when the American church is seeing an exodus of young people, Liberty’s School of Religion has a heart to graduate students who will practice biblical leadership to influence their communities. The undergraduate School of Religion (SOR) recently surveyed students, alumni, churches and ministries about how to best enhance the degree programs. The results led to a new department, the Department of Christian Leadership and Church Ministries (CLCM), which launched January 2015. CLCM replaced the Department of Church Ministries, which housed pastoral leadership, women’s leadership, youth ministries and adventure leadership and outdoor ministries. “One of the things that we found as we surveyed (was) a lot of students who were interested in our courses felt called to ministry, but not necessarily to be a pastor,” Dr. Jonathan Geukgeuzian, chair of Christian leadership and church ministries, said. Liberty offered Christian leadership courses online. While reconstructing the school’s programs, administration decided to fold the Christian leadership online courses under the new CLCM department. “That’s where the department name change came from,” Geukgeuzian said. “We felt it best identified what we were training students for.” The new department offers three Bachelor of Science degrees with 19 cognates, including global studies, worship and coaching. Many of the cognates are samples of their own bachelor degree programs. “These cognates are in no way trying to compete with what those majors are already doing,” Geukgeuzian said. “What it’s doing is really enhancing (students’) overall ministry training with these other areas because they would like more knowledge of it, but it’s not something they wanted to major in. We want to take advantage of all that the school has to offer so students aren’t
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LEADERS — Students took part in church discipleship opportunities. Pictured from left to right: Corey Anderson, Garret Hutchison, Matt Crawford, Brandon Graves. getting just Bible training or theology training, but they’re actually being trained in other areas as well.” Geukgeuzian said many graduates in the church ministries field might find themselves in a bi-vocational situation where they need to earn a living at a job apart from their service in ministry. Some of the cognates, like technical studies and coaching, give students the opportunity to learn skills and have that option. “We wanted to package things that would make sense vocationally,” Geukgeuzian said. “We kind of do the combo meal.” In addition to learning ministry and leadership in the classroom, the SOR recently began offering a ministry fellowship with partner churches and ministries. Geukgeuzian said studying books on theology is essential to ministry, but an important part of ministry is learning the culture in which the student aims to serve.
“The culture in Texas is a lot different than the culture in Maine,” Geukgeuzian said. “We want to implant (students) into those environments and let them flesh out that ministry training alongside a seasoned leader so that they can get their hands to the plow and begin to see what it looks like to do ministry in this area.” Typically, students work internships during the summer season, which is the slowest season for church ministry. Geukgeuzian said students would often not get the full picture of what ministry looks like because churches operate differently in the summer than during the rest of the year. The ministry fellowship is a yearlong program during a student’s senior year, which takes place after they have completed the required 120 practicum hours in a local ministry. Fellows will work in one of 17 partner churches across the United States or at the one international partner site.
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PRSSA HOSTED GREAT GATSBY-THEMED GALA TO RAISE MONEY FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.
COLEMAN’S RUN 5K RAISED MONEY AND AWARENESS FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY AUTISM.
Liberty requires partner churches to provide housing and utilities for the fellows, but some churches go beyond the requirement and include a stipend. Fellows will earn two internship credits during the year and will maintain residential status by taking two Liberty classes online. “(Students) gain the experience of being at a ministry site where they’re actually living and breathing ministry,” Geukgeuzian said. “Instead of showing up for class here every day, they’re showing up to the office and the church.” Those interested can view information on the Department of Christian Leadership and Church Ministries page at liberty.edu. The Barna Group, a research organization, published an article titled “What Millennials Want When They Visit Church” in March of this year based on results of their surveys. The surveys found that six in 10 Millennials leave church at some point, even if they grew up in church. The results “reveal a general feeling that church is simply not necessary and, for some, that it is harmful.” Find the full article on barna.org in the Millennials topics tab. “I can see where they think that church is harmful or it’s just not useful because they’re seeing through the smoke and seeing the façade,” Geukgeuzian said. Geukgeuzian said many churches struggle in their leadership, which can result in a dysfunctional and unhealthy church. “I believe Liberty has modeled a healthy view of Christianity and the church,” Geukgeuzian said. “Whenever you have genuine community of believers who are living out biblical (community), people see that authenticity and are drawn to that. We’re trying to train our students to have a healthy understanding, so that when they do get into those environments, they can become the influencers.” HOOSIER is a news reporter.
Seniors hear from alumnus Samkon Gado speaks to soon-to-be graduates Emily Hoosier eahoosier@liberty.edu
Former NFL running back and Liberty alumnus Samkon Gado (class of 2005) spoke at the annual senior Convocation Friday, April 17 at Williams Stadium’s Club Level. The class of 2015 enjoyed coffee and doughnuts while Gado, who finished medical school the day before his Convocation speech, shared his story, as well as what he learned about success while in the NFL and medical school. “It’s a privilege to be here and have an audience with the upcoming class of 2015,” Gado said. “Congratulations, you guys. This is no small feat.” After graduating from Liberty, Gado played five seasons in the NFL and then moved with his wife to study medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. He plans to finish his residency in ear, nose and throat surgery at St. Louis University. Gado was born and raised in Nigeria in 1982 before moving to the United States in 1991 with his family so his father could study at Columbia International University. The family of six had not lived together in the same city before moving to the U.S. Gado said his parents led successful careers in Nigeria,
but “tabled (their) ambitions because it was more important to follow Christ.” While in the U.S., Gado began to develop a love for football and biology. Gado said he enjoyed his time in the NFL and was thankful for medical school, but he saw that virtues were not considered the standard for success in those arenas. The world defines success different ways in different places. “It’s important to define success now,” Gado said. The NFL keeps literal measurements of success with statistics. The medical community considers intelligence and published papers as success. Gado said those definitions of success will lead to misguided ambitions. “If you pursue success without Christ, you’ll feel empty,” Gado said. “If you are obedient to him, he can give a richness the world cannot give. This richness surpasses material gain.” Gado left the students with a challenge to follow the narrow path and pursue success as God defines it.
HOOSIER is a news reporter.
news
Liberty Champion | April 21, 2015 | A3
Orchestra program expands Rehearsals underway for recently added Young Artist Concerto Competition Cassandra Steptoe cbsteptoe@liberty.edu
Melodious sounds came from the rehearsal room as the Liberty University Symphony Orchestra (LUSO) practiced for upcoming concerts, including the first annual Young Artist Concerto Competition Concert scheduled for April 28 at 7 p.m. The orchestra was intended to engage and serve the community, according to LUSO Conductor Dr. John Kinchen III. Kinchen explained that throughout the years, the orchestra has improved through increasingly difficult music, practice, concerts and competitions. One new competition is the Young Artist Concerto Competition. “This is the inaugural year of the Young Artist Competition, and we’re very excited about that,” Kinchen said. “It serves … the community, but it is also a great opportunity for Liberty University and the School of Music (SOM) to be represented beyond the borders of our school.” In addition to enhancing the orchestra members’ skills, the competition was founded to reach out to young musicians, according to Kinchen. “The objective … is to open up regionally to young artists and give them an opportunity to compete and … perform with an orchestra in a live concert setting,” Kinchen said. “At the same time, (we wanted) to allow the students to come into Liberty University and see … the level of quality that God has allowed us to have.” The competition concert originally was planned to take place March 21 alongside the University Concerto Competition concert. However, scheduling conflicts shifted the concert date, according to Kinchen. The date change made for a correlation with other
James Hancock | Liberty News Service
REPETITION — The Liberty University Symphony Orchestra makes use of the phrase “practice makes perfect” to prepare for upcoming concerts. pieces the orchestra will perform, according to Kinchen. “(The winner) is going to be playing the first movement of the Dvorak cello concerto, which will be kind of nice because … the Dvorak cello concerto (will be played) with Dvorak ‘Symphony eight,’” Kinchen said. In order to tie the theme of Dvorak compositions with the other pieces, the April concert will be titled “Journeys in Music,” Kinchen explained. “We’re going to do ‘Jurassic Park,’ which is another journey to a lost world and Mendelssohn’s ‘Hebrides Overture,’ which is a journey to the Hebrides, (an) island chain in the Mediterranean,” Kichen said. “… So, it’s
a neat experience of traveling and journeys.” The journey that brought the competition to fruition was rewarding but not easy, according to Kinchen. “I had the idea two years ago, and it has taken time to develop,” Kinchen said. “It takes … time in every aspect from the marketing of the competition to the logistics of having it here to having all the key players in the SOM understand what we were trying to do and then, once the competition takes place, having a judging panel.” Another journey that has seen progress is the maturation of the LUSO program. Kinchen explained that though the orchestra
originally consisted of a mix of faculty, students and community members, it is now comprised of about 45 student musicians. “We’ve seen some great growth … in numbers, as students have come in that are music majors,” Kinchen said. “Now, the orchestra (is) primarily going to be ‘faculty as needed’ in a student organization.” One of these students, first violinist Caroline Dunmire, also observed the orchestra’s progress. “We’re playing a lot of really fun literature, which has challenged us but also helped us to grow,” Dunmire said. “I’ve been really impressed with the growth in the sections. We have a really musically mature group.”
Overall, Kinchen believes the purpose and quality of the orchestra is continually improving. “The objective is to have the orchestra serve as a premier performing ensemble for the School of Music that will not only perform music of the … great composers of the past but also perform music that is vital to the culture in which we live today,” Kinchen said. Tickets for the Young Artist Concerto Competition Concert can be purchased at the Liberty University ticket office Web page and are free for Liberty students, $3 for Liberty University faculty and $5 for the public. STEPTOE is news reporter.
OPINION Hillary hurts Hillary A4
April 21, 2015
Former secretary of state struggles to hide wealth, relate to the middle class Tré Goins-Phillips dgoinsphillips@liberty.edu
Convince me Hillary Clinton really is an everyday American. That is exactly what the former secretary of state has been trying to do over the last year. And, so far, it is not going so great. In the first Democratic presidential candidate’s launch video, Clinton did her best to keep the focus away from herself. At the end of the clip — the first time you see the former first lady — she said, “It’s your time, and I hope you’ll join me on this journey.” “Americans have fought their way back from tough economic times,” Clinton said. “But the deck is still stacked in favor of those at the top.” Sure, those are great buzzwords and catchy one-liners, but that is all they are. Those at the top? When I think about “those at the top,” the Clinton dynasty is pretty high on that list. Of course, we have to remember Clinton and her husband apparently left the White House with not even a penny in their pockets. But wait, in 2001, a year after leaving office, Clinton received a $2.8 million book advance for her memoir “Living History” and the former president earned $9.2 million in speaking fees, according to the New York Times. I have no problem with those on the wealthy list. But Clinton — trying to fit the party narrative — is doing her best to make sure voters forget how deep her pockets really are. Again, so far, it is not going so great. To date, her entire campaign is an intricately crafted narrative attempting to persuade the American people that a new, relatable — non-filthy-rich — Clinton is running for president. “I don’t think I’ve seen a more contrived-appearing campaign ever,” Forbes columnist Rick Ungar said this weekend on an MSNBC panel. “It’s just been horrible.” Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart called Clinton’s launch video a “State Farm commercial gone viral” that was not exactly a “bombshell.” And the road remained rocky once the campaign started its trip from New York to Iowa in what Clinton
YouTube Screenshot
FAÇADE — Hillary Clinton announced her campaign for president on her Twitter account via a YouTube video. referred to as a “Scooby Doo van.” The vehicle seems to be something of a Ritz-Carlton on wheels. “It was, as it turned out, a Secret Service van, outfitted with a 29-inch flat-screen TV, a Blu-ray player, heated leather seats and a full-size bed that appears at the touch of a button,” Washington Times columnist Joseph Curl wrote. In addition, the plastic candidate hosted what she branded an “impromptu” coffee roundtable. That sounds nice, but it was anything but unplanned. According to Curl, many of those who attended the “intimate roundtable” were Democratic donors and government officials, and Team Clinton vetted every one of them, forcing the attenders to sign release forms and banning them from having their cellphones with them. Traveling in a five-star caravan, a far cry from “Scooby Doo,” grabbing Chipotle in sunglasses and avoiding people while surrounded by her entourage, Clinton is doing
anything but erase the line that divides her and the everyday American. The problem for Clinton is that she has spent nearly three decades at the top of the political game — first lady, senator and secretary of state — and has very few accomplishments but a lot of money. But, as the politician once said, “What difference does it make?” It makes a huge difference. Clinton is a somebody (with a lot of political baggage) campaigning as a nobody. I suppose she assumes if she can avoid all the press, stay away from real everyday Americans and make voters forget about her wealth and notoriety, she can squeak her way into getting the Democratic nomination. So, no, I am not convinced Clinton is an everyday American. GOINS-PHILLIPS is the opinion editor.
Warren impacts 2016 race Frontrunner’s flaws may push other Democrats into the presidential contest Lee Sutherland lsutherland6@liberty.edu
We are fully in presidential campaign mode. Both Marco Rubio and Hillary Clinton have announced their candidacies in the last two weeks, and the media is abuzz with speculation about the upcoming elections.
One very interesting development is the overall disdain for Clinton as a candidate. With the latest debacle over the personal email she kept during her time as secretary of state, many believe that the Clinton campaign has taken too many hits to win a presidential campaign. “Her ideas are so unbelievably
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CAMPAIGN — Elizabeth Warren is known for her populist appeal.
by Emily Brown Rags-to-riches stories seem to draw in readers rather quickly. Everyone loves a feel-good story that tugs at the heartstrings. But unfortunately, for every one of those stories, there seems to be the fall-fromgrace, riches-to-rags story, and this time, former New England Patriots star
past their ‘sell by’ date,” George Will, a writer for the Washington Post, said of Clinton. Jon Stewart, host of “The Daily Show,” said her video announcement for her candidacy looked like a “State Farm commercial gone viral.” If not Clinton, then there may be a chance for a number of lesser-known Democrats. One such person is Elizabeth Warren, the senator from Massachusetts. The former Harvard law professor is a favorite among the far left because of her extremely liberal policies, specifically her attacks on Wall Street. Her opportunity in the upcoming presidential election has historical comparisons that seem favorable for Warren. Jonah Goldberg notes in his article in the National Review that in 2007, Clinton seemed to be the almost unavoidable Democratic nominee, but a little known senator from Illinois took the party by storm and stole the nomination. Clinton was very vulnerable
Aaron Hernandez is the focus. Following the months-long trial, Aaron Hernandez was found guilty of several felonies, the chief among them being first-degree murder, April 15, 2015. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, and he is still awaiting trial in the shooting deaths of two other people. Just like that, Aaron Hernandez is no longer a star. The luxuries he enjoyed as one of football’s rising talents? That $40 million he was set to earn as a result of a recent contract extension? Gone. Now, Aaron Hernandez is simply a 26-year-old man living out the rest of his days in a cell. But there is more to the story than the fate of a football prodigy.
in 2007, as she had voted for the unpopular Iraq war, and Barack Obama used this and his dynamic speaking ability to win the nomination and the election. “Warren would be able to defuse Clinton’s greatest asset (her gender) and exploit Clinton’s greatest liability (her wealth and how she came to it), while in the process generating huge excitement from the status quo-weary grassroots,” Goldberg wrote. Another, less favorable comparison made for Warren is John Edwards in 2007-2008. Harry Enten of FiveThirtyEight wrote that, unlike Obama, who scored highly among both liberals and all voters in general, Warren, and Edwards in 2007, scored highly among liberals but not all other voters. This brings up many of the concerns about Warren as a candidate. While she may appeal to the far left of the party, her beliefs and record as a senator could scare away many of the vital moderate voters Clinton is hoping
Aaron Hernandez’s merciless act left someone dead, and I am sure his victim’s family is still reeling. Odin Lloyd is forever gone because of Aaron Hernandez’s decisions. That damage is only compounded when the hurt Aaron Hernandez caused his mother and his fiancée is realized. And the person everyone seems to forget is Aaron Hernandez’s 2-year-old daughter, Avielle Hernandez. While Aaron Hernandez pays for his actions and decisions, Avielle Hernandez will continue to grow. She will enter school in a few years, and down the road, she will hopefully walk across the stage to get her high school diploma. Later on, she will likely find the man she is supposed to marry. And her father will
to attract. Others have noted that her attacks on Wall Street may drive many important donors from her campaign. Yet, just as Edwards did in the 2008 campaign, Warren could have an effect on the policy discussion during the primaries. This can already be seen in Clinton’s video announcement, where she adopted “populist” language often used by Warren in her speeches. Phrases such as “the deck is stacked” seem to be nods to the Massachusetts senator’s famous phrase, “the system is rigged.” With all this said, Warren does not seem to be interested in challenging the former first lady. Many on both sides of the spectrum have called for someone to take on Clinton in the primaries, but most of the potential contenders appear content to watch and wait for another year. SUTHERLAND is an opinion writer.
miss it all as he sits in his jail cell. Avielle Hernandez will grow up without the man who is supposed to be there for her milestones, the man who is supposed to support her and lead her. Fame, luxury and riches can all be lost in an instant, and one wrong move can affect all those around you. The general public will likely soon forget about the Patriots star who fell from grace. I hope Aaron Hernandez realizes, as he serves his sentence, the life-changing implications of his bad decisions — a son forever taken from his family, a fiancée without her partner, a mother devoid of interaction with her son and a daughter who will never fully experience the love of her father.
opinion
Liberty Champion | April 21, 2015 | A5
Google images ASSAULT — University of Virginia fraternity Phi Kappa Psi plans to sue Rolling Stone Magazine for defamation after allegations of a university student’s rape case were found to be unsubstantiated.
Drinking escalates violence Recent rape cases show deeper issue of college campus alcohol abuse Rachael Graf rgraf5@liberty.edu
I am grieved. “A Rape on Campus,” a story published by Rolling Stone magazine — which was incompletely investigated at best and completely fictitious at worst — has been retracted, and the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity at the University of Virginia (UVA) is now suing the publication for defamation. The story, released in the November 2014 issue of Rolling Stone, recounted — in graphic detail — the brutal gang rape of a female student, “Jackie,” during a Phi Kappa Psi fraternity party Sept. 28, 2012. There is no doubt in my mind Jackie was the victim of a sexual assault, though it does not appear she is the victim of the particular assault she described. As a Charlottesville, Virginia, native who has friends attending UVA, I am grieved for Jackie and the university community. I am grieved by Rolling Stone’s failure to thoroughly investigate Jackie’s story before publishing it. But more than that, I am grieved by another issue that has not been adequately addressed in conjunction with this story: the
fact that alcohol abuse is destroying the lives of college students across the United States. It is also no secret that fraternity and sorority parties are often fueled by alcohol. After all, everyone just wants to loosen up and have a good time, right? So what is the big deal? According to a report from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, approximately 1,825 students between the ages of 18 and 24 die each year because of the influence of alcohol, and more than 97,000 students nationwide between the ages of 18 and 24 are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape. This is a horrific tragedy that deserves our full attention, and if we are not addressing it, we are complicit. Because, regardless of whether Jackie’s story is true or not, thousands of female students are victims of rape and sexual assault every single year, and underage, out-of-control alcohol consumption is partly to blame. Casting restraint to the wind, many college students engage in binge drinking — drinking excessive amounts of alcohol in a short period of time — as is often the case with Greek life parties.
What many students fail to realize, however, is that alcohol is a drug, and a dangerous one at that. Alcohol can act as a depressant, relaxing the muscles and impairing motor skills and speech, as well as a stimulant, creating a feeling of euphoria and invincibility. And, in college students whose prefrontal cortexes have not fully developed yet, it can have disastrous consequences if not used responsibly. Being the two-faced substance that it is, alcohol can cause both physical and psychological addiction. In the first instance, the body has become so accustomed to it that it actually needs alcohol in order to function. In the second, the brain also thinks it needs alcohol in order to function. I understand that alcohol is not the primary factor in sexual assaults or rapes, but it is a significant one. Excessive drinking has become an epidemic among American college students, and if the issue is not dealt with, the number of sexual assaults and rapes reported on college campuses is only going to increase. When inhibitions are down, it makes it easier for such crimes to be committed. But let me be clear. A rape
or sexual assault is never the victim’s fault. In order to combat young adult alcohol abuse — and the sexual assaults and rapes that frequently result from it — a culture of compassion, not condemnation, is necessary. The problem lies not in the alcohol itself, but in the human heart. To borrow the phrase from a wise pastor of mine, alcohol is a “cheap imitation.” It promises satisfaction and fulfillment, but it never delivers. “I think a major reason that college students drink is because it’s so tied into how people socialize,” Tom Breeden, a UVA alumnus and a current student at Reformed Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., said. “Drinking and socializing are so intertwined that students are largely expected to drink if they want to socialize. … However, the link between drinking and socializing isn’t set in stone. Students just need viable alternatives. There are students who don’t want to drink, but feel pressured to because parties are where you often meet people.” According to Breeden, who has worked in youth ministry, students need viable, noncorny alternatives to intoxicated fests. Further, Breeden said
Christian students need to set an example for their peers in the way they conduct themselves. “I also think that there is value in those who are of age setting a good example,” Breeden said. “I believe Christians who are of legal age have the freedom to drink in moderation. So part of discipleship is setting a good example for younger Christians. … If Christians cannot learn responsible drinking from more mature Christians, then those who want to drink will learn how to do it from the world around them.” I am not naïve enough to believe that the problem of college alcohol abuse is going to be eradicated. The problem is not fixed by granting more freedom to drink or having less of it. If change is going to happen, it is only going to happen by a change of heart and mindset. For those of us who call ourselves Christians, it is our job to care for those who are struggling with this issue and for those who have been victims of sexual abuse and violence. If we turn away, pretending not to see, to hear or know, we are giving our consent to the problem. And we will be held responsible. GRAF is a feature reporter.
CONVO CONNECTION “All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.” Psalm 66:4 The fact that almighty God beckons us to come freely into his presence through prayer, praise
and worship is profound and deeply humbling. What a blessing it is that we have the opportunity to start the week off as one body, worshipping the one savior and Lord over all. I am thankful that David Nasser and the Convocation team implemented this “All Praise Monday.” It has become the perfect way to start the week. This past week, Pastor Duke
Hergatt shared his story and left us with a profound statement, saying, “Jesus will get involved in the dirty mess of our everyday lives.” I believe we all have a tendency to fall for the lie that we are supposed to have it all together. We trust that God is sovereign and can do all things, but at the same time, we think the messes we find ourselves in from time
to time are our responsibility to fix. Yet, the truth is, our mess is the very place where God is most present, actively revealing that he can and will work all things together for his glory and our good. His desire is not that we run from him with our “stuff ” but that we surrender it all to him so he can radically transform our messes into his message of grace,
B Y: E R I N K E L LY emkelly2@liberty.edu
forgiveness and hope. I do not know about you, but I am thankful that in the midst of my mess, God loves me anyway. Why? Because he loves Jesus. He sees his son and what he did on my behalf and on your behalf. Because of this, God does not see my mess. He sees the Messiah.
POLICIES & INFO Emily Brown editor-in-chief
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A6 | April 21, 2015 | Liberty Champion
Test stumps athletic trainers Faculty seek to improve exam results after last year’s low passage rates Josh Janney jjanney@liberty.edu
At the end of their senior year, students within the athletic training program must take an exam in order to receive certification and qualify as an athletic trainer. The reason for the exam is that every state in the U.S., other than California, requires people to be certified in order to qualify as an athletic trainer and to go to graduate school. However, after dismal, first-time passage rates from the 2013-2014 academic year, the faculty have increased the pressure on the students in order to boost the test scores. According to Liberty’s website, of the 21 people who took the test last year, only 10 successfully passed the exam on the first try. Although the overall passage rate of students has always been more than 70 percent, Jerry Pickard, associate professor of athletic training and health professions, said the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) is the accrediting body of Liberty’s undergraduate program and that the commission only looks at first-time passage rates. The poor performance of last year’s students dropped the three-year aggregate to 58.97 percent for first-time passage rates (the standard is at least 70) and 84.62 percent for overall passage rates. “We fell below the 70 percent mark,” Pickard said. “We are not on provisional accreditation. We are not on probation — we are still on full accreditation. But we have to write some progress reports for the CAATE indicating what we’ve done to improve our first-time pass rates.” Pickard said in order to better prepare the students this year, the faculty has increased the standards for a class called senior seminar. In that class, students review test-taking philosophies, competencies and content. “You don’t ever like using your educational process as an experimental process, but we were not having success on firsttime pass rates,” Pickard said. “We thought, ‘OK, either we’re not communicating to our students the significance of their responsibility or we are not preparing them well. So I decided to make sure we did everything we could (their) senior year to get them focused on the test.” Shannon Jamerson, a senior who recently passed the athletic training program exam on her first try, said senior year primarily consists of reviewing the material, and
Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion
TRAINING — Students in the athletic training program must go through clinical rotations in which they get hands-on experience. the spring semester of senior year is pretty much wide open to prepare for the exam. “We had a review class in the fall that kind of exposed us to different topics that would be on the test,” Jamerson said. “(The review) kind of exposed what weaknesses we had on some areas and where we needed to focus in on our studying. We did a workshop-type program, (which was) paid for us to take, in December. That was on how to prepare for a test.” Pickard said students have to be in the last semester of their senior year and on track to graduate in order to take the exam. The Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers holds the test, which consists of multiple parts and takes four hours to take. Students must pay $350 to take the exam, which is a culmination of everything they learn. Parts of the test include multiple choice and ordering a sequence of events on how to respond to various situations. So far, the four students who took the test in February have passed. The test results for the students taking the April exams will not be revealed until May. The remaining students will take the exam in June. “You can take it as many times as you want, but it’s kind of bad if you fail
multiple times,” Jamerson said. Pickard said the plea of the Athletic Training Program faculty to the students was to not take the test if they were not ready. “(We said) ‘We are going to create a class where we are going to try to prepare you, but we ask you, as seniors, not to go into the test unprepared,’” Pickard said. “‘If you don’t do well on it, you can take it again and pass it. But, it hurts us as a program and as a profession.’” Students had to recall material from their first year in the program. According to Jamerson, freshman year contains the basics of athletic training and foundational material. Sophomore year is when students apply to the program and get in if they meet the GPA requirements. They start learning about lower body evaluation and therapeutic modalities. Junior year is more in-depth, containing two rehab classes, a general medical conditions class, upper body evaluation and a few exercise science classes. “Honestly, the best preparation is just to learn the material as you go through it through college,” Jamerson said. “Take your classes seriously when you are a sophomore and the test is two years away. If you take
your classes seriously, then when you get to be a senior all you have to do is review. You don’t have to re-learn the information.” While the percentage of students who fail the exam cannot be attributed to one factor, Jamerson believes the fault lies in the students who do not study correctly. “My guess (on why students fail) would be (that they are) not taking it seriously,” Jamerson said. “Thinking that it’s going to be more simple than it is. It is a basic athletic training entry-level test, but if you don’t study for it, you are not going to learn all of the little details that you learned as a sophomore and as a junior.” Pickard believes the divide in the success rate of students is between those who really know the material and those who only learn questions for the test. “As a program director, (it is hard) not being able to prevent anyone from taking it, (or) being able to say ‘This person hasn’t studied enough,’” Pickard said. “And so first-time pass rates are a little scary for program directors because we really don’t have any control over it.” JANNEY is the asst. news editor.
Textron flies into Lynchburg School of Aeronautics will host the Global Cessna Pilot Center Conference David Van Dyk dvandyk@liberty.edu
Liberty University’s School of Aeronautics (SOA) has had a robust relationship with Textron, owner of the Cessna brand, primarily due to several agreements and partnerships over the course of 2014. Because of these extensive partnerships, the Global Cessna Pilot Center Conference will be held at Liberty University for the first time. The conference will take place June 17-19. Beginning in April 2014, SOA began a unique affiliation with Cessna. The agreement consisted of a two-fold relationship, allowing students to train with Cessna at their Pilot Centers while taking online courses with SOA, achieving a Cessna certification and a college degree. “This has opened doors to many who have dreamed of becoming a pilot but who were unable to come to Lynchburg,” Brian Hough, chief flight instructor with Freedom Aviation, said. “Uniquely, the Flight Training Afflilate program has made funding available to these students to cover the cost of their degree and flight training, by way of Federal Financial Aid and Veterans Benefits.” In August 2014, Textron delivered its 10,000th Skyhawk to SOA as an act of friendship, customizing the plane with a special paint job denoting the milestone. In November 2014, Textron
Leah Seavers | Liberty Champion
STATE-OF-THE-ART — School of Aeronautics fleet has been outfitted with latest avionics packages. executives came to Lynchburg Regional Airport to sign a longterm agreement with SOA. This agreement ensured continuing delivery of Cessna Skyhawk aircraft for the growing program. According to Cessna’s website, more than 48,000 have been delivered. These partnerships have accumulated to the distinct honor of hosting the Global Cessna Pilot Center Conference, which is expected to bring aviation professionals from around the globe to Liberty’s campus. Cessna reached out to Liberty, requesting
its acceptance to host the conference. “Hosting the annual Global Cessna Pilot Center Conference is but one example of the recognition our program is garnering throughout the country as well as internationally,” Dave Young, president of Freedom Aviation and Liberty associate professor, said. “Two hundred or more attendees will have first time exposure to one of the nation’s top university-level aviation programs, as well as the Freedom Aviation first-rate Cessna Pilot Center.”
According to a Liberty news release, the attendees will receive tours of the campus, as well as a tour around Liberty Mountain Snowflex Cent. The event will include a special session for Chinese flight schools. It covers current trends in aviation, including effective strategies when managing a flight school. According to Hough, Liberty’s on-site Cessna Pilot Center enabled the campus to host the annual event. “Textron Aviation, the parent company of Cessna Aircraft
Company, an eliteschools organization of created pilot training located throughout the U.S.,” Hough said. “These Cessna Pilot Centers (CPC) set the highest of standards and are selected by Cessna for the quality of their training.” In addition to the onsite Cessna Pilot Center, the partnership with Freedom Aviation has proven to be a valuable asset. “LU aviation is unique in that it encompasses a School of Aeronautics and also owns a full service Fixed Base Operator (FBO),” Young said. “This combination has afforded the university and its FBO, Freedom Aviation, unprecedented opportunities.” Young added that this relationship is what has driven the growth of SOA, combined with the overall success of Liberty University. “As this model continues to develop, I envision it morphing into an Aviation Center of Excellence,” Young said. “(This includes) incorporating the headquarters for a nationwide franchise of LU’s Flight Training Affiliates, a laboratory environment supporting the SOA and the curriculum of other LU schools, a venue for hosting aviation conferences and seminars, a stimulant for incubating and attracting aviation related businesses and a regular occurring major airshow.”
VAN DYK is the news editor.
news
Liberty Champion | April 21, 2015 | A7
1.
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TAKE ME OUT TO THE
BALL GAME 5.
6.
Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion
PLAY BALL — 1. Flames baseball players stand for national anthem. 2. First baseman Alex Close readies for the next pitch. 3. Designated hitter Andrew Yacyk contemplates his last swing. 4. Flames base runner ponders his next move. 5. Shawn Clowers delivers a pitch. 6. Flames watch as teammates take the field against Maryland.
news
A8 | April 21, 2015 | Liberty Champion
Thinking green Club hopes to promote environmentally friendly practices
Jacob Clarke jlclarke3@liberty.edu
Ellie Fraser efraser2@liberty.edu
With no roof gardens, wind turbines or solar panels, Liberty University does little to stand out as an environmentally conscious school. However, one campus club is doing what they can to change that. The Students for Stewardship club at Liberty takes on issues concerning recycling, local foods and energy saving. Maria DeFosse, president of the club, is a junior at Liberty majoring in environmental biology. “It’s our duty to take care of creation,” Defosse said. “Our whole goal is to make students aware that we have the opportunity to recycle on campus. We want to see all the students getting involved somehow.” DeFosse’s passion for the environment came from taking a class in high school that would unknowingly change her perspective. “I took environmental science when I was in high school,” DeFosse said. “I kind of took it just because I could, but I started to realize how important it was, and it became really close to my heart.” Furthering her passion is her belief in Jesus and creationism. DeFosse said Christians normally apply stewardship to other areas in life, but leave out the environment. “(We want to) change that outlook and raise awareness for students to know it’s our calling,” DeFosse said. “We should care, because if we care about God, then we should care about his creation. Knowing that because God gave creation, we have a job to take care of it, and through taking care of it, we can help people.”
Dorms donate
Ellie Fraser | Liberty Champion
STEWARDSHIP — Students try to raise awareness about the need to protect the environment. The Students for Stewardship club holds meetings where ideas are brought forward and collaborations with other clubs take place. They regularly join forces with the Liberty University Campus Garden and the Liberty Grounds Department. Regular activities for the club include recycling after football games and educating others on recycling. The club also has bigger initiatives planned for this semester, according to DeFosse. Starting April 28, the club is partnering with Goodwill to place special pods around campus where students can recycle goods instead of trashing them before they leave for summer break. A project with Renew Merchandise, a company that makes clothing out of recycled plastic bottles, is also in progress.
“The tag (of the shirt) would say how many bottles have been recycled,” DeFosse said. “The idea is that it will improve the amount of people who recycle by 30-60 percent.” Instead of buying clothes from companies such as Under Armor or Nike, students would be purchasing clothes from Liberty’s own recycled bottles. But changes on a larger scale are still missing from Liberty’s campus. Although Liberty has not released information about plans for major environmental changes or innovations, DeFosse said she has noticed smaller changes. DeFosse highlighted a positive building change that was implemented in the newest Liberty dorm called the Commons. “One thing that’s new in the Commons is bathroom lights are automatic,” DeFosse said.
“They turn on when you come in and shut off after four minutes of no movement. That’s something that might have been left on for hours.” DeFosse hopes Liberty will eventually become a leader in sustainability and smart environmental practices. Until then, she urges students to start making small changes that amount to big ones. “Go that extra mile to recycle because that’s a small step that shows you care about the environment,” DeFosse said. “It’s more than putting a plastic bottle in the recycling bin. It’s keeping it out of a landfill. You’re conserving future resources. There’s a reason behind it.”
FRASER is a feature reporter.
Liberty students will have the opportunity to donate used items to Goodwill from April 28 to May 6 as they clean out their dorms in preparation for summer. The university is partnering with Goodwill’s Student Move Out Program. “(Almost) anything you could donate to a Goodwill store you can donate during the event,” Alexis Muszall, recycling coordinator for Liberty, said. The list includes clothing, books, games, computers, small electronics (no televisions), furniture and more. “For this event, we will have 10 ‘Educating that Donations to Goodwill Are Recyclable’ boxes and six pods throughout campus,” Misty Adams, Goodwill event coordinator, said. “The pods will be manned by Goodwill employees — if anyone would like a tax receipt or has larger items, this is the best way to donate.” Drop-off containers will be located all around campus in areas such as the Residential Commons, the parking lot between the Hill and the Prayer Chapel, the parking lots of Annex I and II and every mailbox location on East Campus, according to the event website. Adams added that donations would support organizations such as Youth Mentoring, Senior Services, Job Seeker Services and many more. Goodwill will be hosting a kick-off event April 28 beginning at 11 a.m. at DeMoss Hall, where students can learn more about the drive and receive free snow cones. The promotion will move to the Reber-Thomas Dining Hall at 12:45 p.m. “We would love to see every student donate one unwanted item,” Adams said. “… It (would) be an extremely successful drive and would really help support services in this community,” Adams said. CLARKE is a guest writer.
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SPORTS
April 21, 2015
W. Lacrosse
Baseball
Softball (10)
Softball
Liberty
High Point
Liberty
Coastal
Liberty
Coastal
16
15
5
4
5
4
B1
M. Tennis
Longwood Liberty
7
4
Liberty
UNC Ash.
4
2
Hook, line and sinker
beat coastal — twice
Bass fishing duo finishes second William Young weyoung@liberty.edu
Leah Seavers | Liberty Champion
COMING HOME — Center fielder Tori Zavodny rounds third against Coastal, scoring a run for the Lady Flames.
Softball rocks rivals Lady Flames victorious in home series with Coastal Joel Schmieg jaschmieg@liberty.edu
After dropping the first game of the series Friday, April 17, the Lady Flames softball team outlasted rival Coastal Carolina in both games of a doubleheader Saturday, April 18 to take the series victory. Coastal 4, Liberty 3 The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers took the first game of the series April 17 in what turned out to be the least dramatic of the three games. Morgan Noad hit
an RBI triple in the sixth inning to break a 3-3 tie and put the Chanticleers up for good. Junior Kate Han, who went 3-4 with two doubles, one RBI and one run, led the Lady Flames in the hitting column. Coastal was led by junior Bri Chiusano, who went 3-5 with a stolen base, one RBI and one run scored. Coastal scored three in the second, and the Lady Flames answered with three of their own between the second and third innings. After Coastal took the lead
in the sixth inning, the Lady Flames managed to get the tying run on base with a two-out single by Han, but grounded out the next play to end the game. This was Coastal’s 10th consecutive win as well as 12th consecutive Big South win. Liberty 5, Coastal 4 The freshmen led the way for the Lady Flames as Alexia Taylor led off the bottom of the first inning with a solo shot home run off the left foul pole. Madison Kotchey did the rest,
driving in four more runs in the game to edge the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the first game of a doubleheader April 18 at the Liberty Softball Stadium. Liberty took the lead in the first, but Coastal tied it back up in the second when Coastal pitcher Kelsey Dominik was walked, then advanced to second on a throwing error and eventually came all the way home after a single by Annie Robinson resulted in a fielding error.
See RIVALS, B2
Baseball shell shocked Terrapins take down Flames with ninth-inning comeback Emily Brown erbrown@liberty.edu
Despite leading the No. 22 Maryland Terrapins (27-11, 8-4 Big Ten) heading into the final out of the game Wednesday, April 15, defensive breakdowns ultimately led to a loss for the Liberty baseball team (25-15, 11-4 Big South). With two batters retired in the top of the ninth inning on a fly out and ground out and only one out needed to seal a 4-3 win, the Flames gave up three more runs, allowing Maryland to complete the comeback and
WE’LL SEE YOU AT THE GAME
ultimately win 6-4. Maryland junior catcher Kevin Matir jumpstarted the Terrapins ninth-inning rally with a double, eventually advancing to third as junior third baseman Jose Cuas reached on an error from Flames third baseman Jake Kimble. Junior right fielder Anthony Papio followed with an RBI single to score Matir and tie up the game at four runs apiece. Flames pitcher/first baseman Alex Close then hit Maryland senior pinch hitter Tim Lewis and walked two more batters to allow two more runs.
“I felt fine (pitching at that point),” Alex Close said. “I wasn’t worried at all until they tied it. I honestly didn’t think it was getting away, and then it got away.” In the bottom of the ninth, Alex Close tried to bring his Flames back with a leadoff single, but Maryland junior righthanded pitcher Kevin Mooney struck out the final three batters for the Flames. In addition to defensive miscues, the Flames went cold offensively after jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first three innings. In the second inning,
sophomore designated hitter Andrew Yacyk singled and later scored on a double to left field from senior second baseman Clay Keranen. Junior shortstop Dalton Britt notched an RBI and added the Flames second run of the game, plating Keranen on a two-out double. In the bottom of the third, the Flames added to their lead. Yacyk again singled, and freshman left fielder Josh Close doubled to put runners in scoring position. Keranen added two more runs for Liberty when he
See SHOCKED, B3
The Liberty bass fishing team finished in second place with a total catch of 51 pounds, 13 ounces at the Forest L. Wood (FLW) College National Championship held at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina, April 16-18. The University of South Carolina finished in first place by 1 pound, 5 ounces, according to flwfishing.com. The Liberty partnership of Travis Rulle and Caleb Eppler was one of the many teams making an appearance at the FLW College National Championship after finishing in third place in the Northern Conference Invitational at the Potomac River in La Plata, Maryland. In a college bass fishing competition, teams are separated into groups of two as they compete against other schools and other partnerships from their own school. This year, the top 10 partnerships that catch the highest total weight in fish in a regional tournament qualified for the FLW College National Championship. However, despite their recent success, Rulle and Eppler, along with the six other members of the team, have had to learn to cope with limited resources. When the team was created in January 2012, the Liberty bass fishing team had trouble finding enough boats, a lake to call home and funds to jumpstart the club. As a new group, it was difficult finding sponsors, according to junior team president Skye Riggleman. Since then, the team has grown, especially in the last few months. The team has recently found a home in the 40-mile stretch of Smith Mountain Lake, and recent endeavors for the team include its appearance in the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society College Eastern Regional at Lake Norman in North Carolina. According to its Facebook page, the team came up just short of its goal in the standings after some mechanical problems and missed catches. Aside from competing in various tournaments around the country, both Riggleman and Rulle said their favorite part of being on the team is the comradery. “Sometimes it’s more fun to hang out and tell fish stories to each other than actually fishing,” Riggleman said. Rulle said he specifically enjoys talking to his fellow teammates to pick up tips and chat about upcoming tournaments. “It’s great when you’re around other guys that have been fishing and you can learn from each other,” Rulle said. “In fishing, you never fully figure it out.” For more information, visit the Liberty University Bass Fishing Facebook page. YOUNG is a feature reporter.
Softball vs. Virginia
Softball vs. Virginia
Baseball vs. G-Webb
Baseball vs. G-Webb
April 22 @ 2 p.m.
April 22 @ 4 p.m.
April 24 @ 7 p.m.
April 25 @ 3 p.m.
Baseball vs. G-Webb April 26 @
2 p.m.
Follow @LUChampSports for Flames athletics coverage
sports
B2 | April 21, 2015 | Liberty Champion
Williams siblings will to win
Jocelyn and Lewis Williams compete as teammates for Flames track and field Sarah Rodriguez srodriguez70@liberty.edu
Lewis and Jocelyn Williams have the opportunity to experience something only a few Liberty University athletes have the chance to do during their college careers. In addition to attending the same school as their sibling, the Williams’ are able to support each other in their athletic endeavors not just from the stands, but as teammates competing on the Liberty University track and field team. Redshirt freshman Lewis Williams is a decathlete in his first season with the team, while his older sister, redshirt senior Jocelyn Williams, has been an asset to the throwing team since 2010. Clendon Henderson, the Flames throwing coach, has seen the siblings interact through supCourtney Russo | Liberty Champion porting each other during the ups ENCOURAGEMENT — Lewis Williams has always supported his sister, and she does the same for him. and downs of the season. “They do a good job of being teammates, but then also (as) (of high school), I would go out Liberty is a contagious en- times and achieved the Liberty brother and sister (who have) to her sectionals, regionals (and) vironment that is hard for University women’s record in the a good time being on the team states, and I would just watch her people to leave. weight throw. together,” Henderson said. throw,” Lewis Williams said. “It In the 2014-2015 season, Henderson acknowledged The siblings also have a brother was a lot of fun getting to see though the siblings are com- the leadership and maturity he who is much older than them, her progress.” peting in very different events has seen from Jocelyn Williams but because of the age differAfter Jocelyn Williams chose — Lewis Williams, the decath- over the years. ence, Jocelyn and Lewis Williams to attend Liberty University in lon, and Jocelyn Williams, the “(Jocelyn’s) just a good exbecame closer during their child- 2010, Lewis Williams was left to throwing events — both are ample of what I’m expecting hood, spending a lot of time to- make a name for himself in high able to support each other while out of somebody,” Henderson gether on and off the field. school. Lewis Williams said after exchanging knowledge. said. “She’s improved in all arJocelyn Williams began track attending school in New Jersey “(This year) has been a lot of eas. I think she has learned to and field in eighth grade, but for two years and competing in (Jocelyn) passing down what she handle the struggles of her career did not begin throwing until her the 400-meter hurdles, 4x100- knows,” Lewis Williams said. a lot better.” high school coach pushed her to meter relay and discus throw, “Shot put and discus are a lot Lewis Williams said he was first try something new. She attended his family moved to Virginia of her specialties.” introduced to the decathlon event Hamilton High School West in and he began attending Liberty Jocelyn Williams has enjoyed by Liberty teammate Cody BingNew Jersey, placing second in the Christian Academy. great success during her time at ham. With Lewis Williams just state in the discus as a junior. Jocelyn Williams said she Liberty. During her career, she beginning his career in college, “We didn’t have a track did not pressure her broth- has won the 2014 Big South Indi- his coach, Lance Bingham, said team in middle school, so for er into choosing Liberty vidual Indoor weight throw title, Lewis Williams is beginning to see (Jocelyn’s) freshman to junior year University, but she said earned All-Big South honors five how the decathlon is very much a
Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion
THE WINDUP— Sophomore pitcher Kenzie Friesen delivers a pitch against Coastal.
RIVALS continued from B1 The bottom of the fourth was a crucial one for the Lady Flames. Katie Han led off with a single, and then Madison McCoy used a sacrifice bunt to advance her to second base. Next up to the plate was Kotchey, who sent a bomb over the right field wall for a
two-run home run. In the sixth inning, Coastal’s Amanda Daneker doubled and advanced to third on a fielding error. Dominik, who has not only the most walks, but also most strikeouts on the team, was walked for the second time of the game. Chandler Ball struck out the next batter, but gave up a single up the middle to
load the bases right after. With the bases loaded and only one out, Ball walked another batter to bring in the tying run. The next Coastal batter hit a deep ball to center field that was caught, but it was deep enough to bring in the goahead run. The inning ended on the next batter, but the damage was done. The Lady Flames were
down to six outs left and were trailing by a run when one of three seniors, Kelby Allen, stepped up to the plate and doubled to right center field. Han was walked, and McCoy laid down the sacrifice bunt to advance both runners. Kotchey stepped up to the plate and hit a single to right field that brought in both runners to give the lead back to Liberty. With the two batters retired, Coastal was down to its last three outs after Kotchey’s third and fourth RBIs. The Lady Flames were not out of the woods yet, as Coastal’s best hitter and savior of the first game, Morgan Noad, was at the plate to start the seventh inning. Noad was batting .397 on the season but had yet to get a hit in the game, though she had one walk. Noad struck out swinging, and the Chanticleers were down to two outs of hope remaining. Coastal did not go down easy, as Daneker singled up the middle, and Steiner came in to pinch run and
learning process. “The decathlon is something that takes time to develop,” Lance Bingham said. “… (Lewis is learning) that (he needs) to be a little more patient with development. You have to have that drive and ambition, and you want to strive toward perfection, but you’ve got to allow yourself the grace to get there too.” The decathlon is a track and field event consisting of 10 events. These events are the 100-meter sprint, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400-meter run, 110-meter hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin throw and 1500-meter run. The athlete with the most points at the end of the 10 events wins. Lewis Williams said one of his favorite events to participate in is the pole vault. Lewis Williams and his coach agreed that Lewis Williams’ background in gymnastics has helped him develop his pole-vaulting skills very quickly. With the Big South Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship fast approaching, Lewis Williams’ career is just beginning while Jocelyn Williams’ final collegiate season will come to a close as she graduates in May. However, she plans to continue training after graduation. “I want to be able to work my way up to training full time,” Jocelyn Williams said. “The 2016 Olympics are next year, so I’m going to try and make a run for it.” No matter the miles separating the brother and sister duo of Lewis and Jocelyn Williams, the support for each other’s endeavors will never diminish. RODRIGUEZ is a sports reporter.
stole second to put the tying run in scoring position with only one out. Next up for Coastal was Dominik, who had been a threat all game. She eventually grounded out, but advanced Steiner to third where she stayed, because the next batter grounded out to end the game. The Lady Flames snapped Coastal’s 10game winning streak and it’s 12-game Big South winning streak. Liberty honored its three seniors, Kelby Allen, Jamie Crisp and Megan Robinson before the game along with its senior student managers. Liberty 5, Coastal 4 The Lady Flames beat Coastal for the second time in one day, after freshman Cassie Gingerich laid down a bunt in the 10th inning to bring in junior Mickey Loveridge from third for the winning run. The Chanticleers scored two in the top of the seventh to take the lead, but Liberty came right back in the bottom to tie the
game up and send it to extra innings. The game was eventually won with help from a little-known rule, the international tiebreaker, that allows the next batter up in the 10th inning to advance to second base without batting. Coastal was unable to take advantage of the free runner in scoring position as they popped up, flied out and grounded out in order to end the at-bat. The Lady Flames, however, were able to lay down a bunt to put runners on the corners and then added a squeeze play to bring in the winning run. The game was Liberty’s first 10-inning game since falling at Radford, 4-3, in 10 innings on March 28, 2012, according to libertyflames.com.
SCHMIEG is a sports reporter.
sports
Tich’s Take Alex Tichenor atichenor@liberty.edu
Odds are if you are reading this, you are 23 years old or younger. And if you are not, at some point in your life you were. Being in your early 20s is a great time. Dreams and aspirations are still fresh in your mind. Your body is still spry and limber. Your mind is sharp as the sharp side of a really sharp one-edged sword. Life is great. Now prepare to have your young adulthood rendered meaningless. At age 21, Jordan Spieth won the Masters, probably golf ’s most prestigious tournaTICHENOR ment. Not only did he win, but he tied the four-day course record at 18-under par. Funny enough, Spieth tied Tiger Woods’ record, which Woods set when he was also just 21 years old. And not only does the winner of the Masters get that nice jacket and his name etched in sports history forever, but he also gets $1.6 million. I am 22 and have not even been to the Masters. Meanwhile, Spieth is slipping himself into the green jacket and rolling around in $1.6 million of cash. In other news, the NBA playoffs just tipped off and Anthony Davis’ New Orleans Pelicans just squeaked into the playoffs. It is the first time the 22-year-old Davis has even made the playoffs. In his first game, Davis scored 35 points with 20 of those points coming in the fourth quarter. This is nothing new to Davis, who won every national player of the year award in his only year at University of Kentucky, along with winning a national championship as a 19 year old. Just a few months after the tournament, Davis was selected as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. Not a bad spring and summer for a 19 year old. Most 19 year olds spend their summers working a boring job and swimming in lakes every now and then. Not swimming in accolades and contract bonuses. Over on the diamond, this year’s Chicago Cubs might be their best team since making the National League Championship Series back in 2003. And the splashiest name in the Cubs organization right now is recent call-up 23-year-old Kris Bryant. When the Cubs drafted Bryant with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2013 MLB draft, they expected to be getting a powerhitting third basemen who would be able to help them within a few years. Calling Bryant a power hitter is like calling Superman strong. In 138 games in the minors in 2014, Bryant demolished any pitcher in his path, smashing 43 home runs. In spring training this year, Bryant hit nine homers in just 40 at-bats. Yes, nine homers in 40 at-bats. You may now pick up your jaw from the floor. While other events took center stage, the NHL lottery to determine which franchise would hold the No. 1 overall pick in June’s draft also took place this weekend, with the Edmonton Oilers ending up as the winner. There will be little suspense when the Oilers announce their pick, as 18-year-old Connor McDavid has been touted as the best prospect since Sidney Crosby. In 47 games for the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters, McDavid had 44 goals and 76 assists. This is a kid — yes, he is really still a kid — who just turned 18 in January. In a few months he is going to be a millionaire. Eighteen was so long ago; I do not even remember what 18 year olds do. But I am pretty sure most of them are not millionaires before they turn 19. Almost positive, even. So, young adult reading this, next time you do something you think is cool or awesome, think of Jordan Spieth. Think of Anthony Davis. Think of Kris Bryant. Think of Connor McDavid. And try harder next time. TICHENOR is the sports editor.
Liberty Champion | April 21, 2015 | B3
Joining the club Flames lacrosse star answered God’s call to attend Liberty Ryley Rush rarush@liberty.edu
Brett Bernardo never thought he would end up at Liberty University. “I was like a lot of kids who said I would never go (to Liberty), I don’t want to go there, it’s not for me and it’s not what I want,” Bernardo said. “I wanted to do my own thing.” The men’s lacrosse junior midfielder was born and raised in a Christian home. Up until college, faith was incorporated into his life by his parents. “I’d always known all the truths, but I’d never had to take care of it for myself,” Bernardo said. “As I got into the college atmosphere, it made me learn that I was independent now, and I had to choose whether or not I was going to believe in what I’ve grown up in.” Bernardo chose to believe it, taking ownership of his faith for himself. Attending and playing NCAA Division I (DI) lacrosse for Marist University, Bernardo found he was one of the few who was doing so. He sought out a Christian small group and other Christian friends. But as he grew spiritually, Bernardo sensed God was calling him to a different environment. “One summer, I heard of Liberty somehow, or the idea of it came to my mind,” Bernardo said. “I remember looking up their sports teams and seeing someone from the hockey team, I don’t remember who, talking and bringing up the idea of playing for a team united under Christ. For some reason, that idea hit me deep.”
SHOCKED continued from B1 singled to plate Yacyk and Josh Close. According to Alex Close, the Flames suffered when they took the pressure off offensively. “They were throwing different guys, they threw some good arms, but you can never take your foot off the pedal,” Alex Close said. The Flames finished the game with 12 hits, while the Terrapins only came up with seven, which proved to be enough. Alex Close, the fifth of six Liberty pitchers in the game, recorded the loss. “That was a huge game,” Alex Close said.
Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion
THE CAPTAIN— Brett Bernardo found a home with Liberty’s lacrosse team. Bernardo looked into transferring that summer, but still was not convinced. He returned to Marist in the fall. “That semester was really a time of growth — of depending on God and trusting in God and leaning on God,” Bernardo said. “Eventually, I came to the conclusion that maybe the best place for me, after all, was Liberty.” Transferring would mean leaving an NCAA DI lacrosse program for a club lacrosse team. Ultimately, Bernardo decided it was worth it, and followed God’s call to Liberty. “It was a big transition,” Bernardo said. “The tempo and the pace of the game is just so much faster at that (DI) level, but training with that kind of environment and tempo for
“That’s up there as one of the biggest games I think we’ve had since I’ve been here, so I think it’s just frustration from everyone about not winning it.” According to Flames Head Coach Jim Toman, who talked to his team for more than 20 minutes following the game, his team simply missed opportunities to put the game away. “If we just play like we can, the game’s over (and we win),” Toman said. “… That was a tough one to take, but you got to play nine innings, you got to get 27 outs, and we couldn’t get that last one. … Had we not let them score runs in the fifth and the sixth, then maybe we still hang on there at the end. We
two and a half years has really helped me here. It’s allowed me a little bit to bring my knowledge and what I know and help build the program, which has been really fun and cool.” Whatever challenge it has been, Bernardo has risen to it. The team captain led the Flames with 38 goals and 22 assists for 60 points during the 2015 season. Bernardo credited his teammates with putting him in optimal position to garner points and expressed his pride in their accomplishments this season and in recent years. Beyond any aid his teammates have given him on the field, Bernardo is thankful for their affirmation of his decision to transfer to Liberty. “I’ve grown a lot,” Bernardo said. “I have guys on my team
played pretty well, we just didn’t finish.” Weekend Recap Following the disappointing midweek loss, the Flames bounced back when they traveled to Farmville, Virginia, to take on the Longwood Lancers (17-21, 5-10 Big South) Friday and Saturday, April 18 and 19. The Flames took two of three games to win the series. The Flames were victorious in the first game of the series, winning 7-4, thanks in large part to the pitching of junior lefthander Victor Cole, the reigning Big South Pitcher of the Week. Cole allowed only two unearned runs and five hits in 7 1/3 innings, struck out eight batters
who are in the same place as me, trying to grow to spiritually. Being able to be around that has built for accountability. It’s been really good.” Bernardo said he is thankful God led him to the Christian environment at Liberty, and with a 10-4-1 record, it is safe to say that Flames lacrosse is thankful for his decisions well. Bernardo and the Flames next game will be in the Southeastern Lacrosse Conference playoffs in Atlanta, Georgia April 24. The Flames are currently ranked 14th in the Mens Collegiate Lacrosse Association poll. RUSH is a sports reporter.
and improved his record to 5-1 on the year. After scoring a run without recording a hit in the first inning, Liberty jumped out to a 4-0 lead on catcher Becker Sankey’s three-run homer — his 10th home run of the year — in the fourth inning. In the bottom of the same inning, the Lancers struck back and scored two of their own to put the score at 4-2. Liberty added three insurance runs in the top of the eighth, ultimately putting the game out of reach for the Lancers. Though the Lancers threatened in the ninth with two runs off senior reliever Ashton Perritt, Alex Close redeemed his midweek performance against Maryland when he earned the fi-
Courtney Russo| Liberty Champion
HUSTLE — Third baseman Sammy Taormina rounds the bases against Maryland.
nal out of the game on three pitches. Alex Close earned his fourth save of the year in the game. In the second game of the series, the Flames blasted the Lancers for 11 runs — including seven in the fourth inning — on 15 hits, winning 11-3. Sankey added his 11th home run of the year in the game — his second in as many games — to become the current Big South home run leader. Britt recorded his fourth three-hit game of the year. He also gave the Flames two runs and notched two RBIs. In the final game of the week and the second game of the doubleheader, the Lancers put an end to the Flames four-game conference winning streak, handing Liberty a 7-4 loss. The Flames went up 3-0 in the second inning, but the Lancers tied it up in the third on a two-run single and an RBI sacrifice fly. In the bottom of the fourth, the Lancers took the lead 4-3. Though the Flames were able to even the score again at 4-4 in the fifth inning, the Lancers eventually went up for good after scoring three runs in the sixth inning. The Flames will travel to Charlottesville, Virginia, looking to avenge a March 25 home loss when they take on the University of Virginia (UVA) Cavaliers Wednesday, April 22 at 6 p.m. UVA currently holds a 24-15 overall record, including a 9-12 conference record. The Cavaliers are only 6-9 in home contests. BROWN is the editor-in-chief.
sports
B4 | April 21, 2015 | Liberty Champion
Leadership laden Lady Flames Seniors Jamie Crisp, Kelby Allen and Megan Robinson embrace changes Cierra Carter cmcarter18@liberty.edu
The Lady Flames softball team has experienced a world of change over the past few years: a new coach, new stadium and lots of new talent. Seniors Jamie Crisp, Kelby Allen and Megan Robinson have certainly come a long way on the journey. These Lady Flames have been through a lot, including a complete program shift when Dot Richardson was hired as the head coach in July 2013. “We were going to be juniors, but it was like we were starting all over, so everyone was a freshman again,” Robinson said. “That was a little tough at first, … but we learned really quickly that the coaches are obviously so invested in our lives and love us, care about us, and want the best for us on and off the field.” While the change was initially intimidating, the trio is grateful for all that has come as a result. “Being in the middle of the transition was very different at first,” Crisp said. “These coaches came in wanting to take this program to the next level, and that’s exactly what they’re doing.” Allen noted the motivation that has come under Richardson’s leadership has pushed her and her teammates like never before, bringing a whole new level of success. “Well, we’ve never won this many games, so that speaks for itself,” Allen said. “Everyone’s just matured so fast. … There’s not a weak spot in the lineup. … It’s pretty stacked and it’s only going to get better because (many of them) are only freshmen.” Though these seniors were not her recruits, Richardson was able to form a bond and help lead them to their most successful seasons at Liberty. Robinson, Allen and Crisp are everyday starters and currently post career-high batting averages of .319, .320 and .250, respectively. “Well, (coaching them) was quite easy because all three of them are Christ-centered,” Richardson said. “… They’re such godly women, (and) I’m living the dream here coaching because I have players like them.” The seniors made it to the promised land that is the Liberty Softball Stadium, which
Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion
BIG THREE — Catcher Kelby Allen, one of three seniors on the softball team, has been key to the Lady Flames success. was completed in January 2015. Robinson recorded the first hit and Allen had the first home run, forever leaving a mark in program history. “Last year, I remember being on this pile of dirt that was the old baseball field,” Allen said. “… Then I feel like I woke up one day and this (stadium) is here. It’s the biggest blessing to the Liberty softball program.” With so many different bells and whistles, the new stadium is adored by players and fans alike. The locker room is an obvious team favorite, but Robinson did not let her love for second base go unnoted. “It’s honestly the most surreal feeling playing in the stadium and especially under lights,” Crisp said. “The past three years, we maybe had 75 to 100 people at our games, and this season we hit 800. It was unreal.” The trio has been able to compile countless memories over the past four
years of ups and downs, but there are a few that they remember vividly. Allen, Crisp and Robinson all agreed that one of their best moments came in a 10-7 win over Charleston Southern April 12, when Crisp hit a grand slam that included all three of them. Crisp has plenty of great memories as a Lady Flame, but one that she remembers the most went far beyond the diamond. “One of the best memories I have was last year on April 24 against (East Tennessee State University) hitting my first and second collegiate home runs in the same game on the fourth anniversary of my father’s death, who actually lost his life on the softball field,” Crisp said. For this group, softball has been a game that brings maturation both on and off the field. “(Softball has) been one of the greatest challenges of my life,” Robinson
said. “It’s been a real challenge … in a good way. It’s been a great opportunity to be around people that love God and want to use this sport to show others that they love God and show the love of God to others.” Allen emphasized the bittersweet feelings the seniors share, as they know they are approaching the final weeks playing a sport they have known almost all of their lives. She said that long before suiting up in their Liberty jerseys, these girls devoted their time to school teams and travel ball. “It’s been really great to grow up here,” Robinson said. “(Those within the program) have been great influences, great teammates, great friends and really it’s been a family. … Especially being with Kelby and Jamie, those are friendships we’re going to have forever.” CARTER is a sports reporter.
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Liberty Champion | April 21, 2015 | B5
Give back Inaugural 5K provides for charities Ashley Bunner abunner@liberty.edu
After many requests for Liberty University’s Student Activities (SA) to hold charity runs, a 5K to benefit seven charities will take place April 25 at 9 a.m. starting and ending at the Vines Center. “We frequently get requests to put races on for Student Government Association (SGA) clubs,” Yeoman said. “We could never support multiple races per semester, (so) we decided to create one event that would provide an opportunity for all SGA club charities.” The charities participating include The Eliminate Project, Operation Christmas Child, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Wycliffe, Freedom 4/24, Young Life Central Virginia and International Justice Mission. SA held an open registration period at the beginning of the spring 2015 semester for any SGA clubs wanting to participate in the race, Yeoman said. According to Yeoman, each participant may choose between one of seven charities to give donations. Five dollars from each race entry will go straight to the charity of the participants’ choosing. This race differs from other SA races in that the entirety of the race is run on the road instead of the Liberty Mountain Trail System. The reason for this is that more people enjoy races on a paved course, Yeoman said. “We wanted this particular event to appeal to the broadest audience and having (the race) held on roads achieves this,” Yeoman said. “The location was also chosen so the event could be a centerpiece of campus on that Saturday morning. If you are on campus, you will see what is going on, so the location also helps to increase spectators.” While this is not the first race to be held on Liberty’s campus, Yeoman said the Charity 5K race will be the primary race on campus roads as SA plans future race events. Yeoman anticipates more than 200 runners taking part in the Charity 5K race this year but believes there will be opportunity for growth for this race in the coming years. According to Yeoman, the course for the Charity 5K race is friendly for runners of all types and ages. Students can register for the Charity 5K race for $15 before race day and the public can register for $20. For more information on how to sign up for the Charity 5K run, visit liberty.edu/races. BUNNER is a feature reporter.
FYI
Due to the anticipated size of the race, strollers, baby joggers, and pets on leashes are prohibited according to the SA website.
Photos Provided
BREAKING BARRIERS — Founder Macklyn Mosley, pictured left, posts stories of people such as Nick George, pictured right.
Campaign for culture New social media movement breaks down racial stereotypes Ellie Fraser efraser2@liberty.edu
It all started with one Instagram post. Macklyn Mosley, a Liberty University alumnus, made the decision to start an Instagram account with the intention of using it as a campaign to break down stereotypes. He named the movement NeighborHOOD, and soon piqued the interest of people who wanted to learn about his organization. “NeighborHOOD is a movement geared toward helping us as people grow and understand one another,” Mosley said. The idea to start a campaign against stereotypes began in Mosley’s head months before his first Instagram post, but Mosley said he took a while to pray about his ideas and decide what the exact purpose would be. Mosley eventually made his first post to Instagram in February 2015. “The goal of NeighborHOOD is to stand on the foundation of Christ, that through the power of the gospel we would grow and understand one
GARDEN continued from B8 Others such as Liberty theatre alumnus Timmy Williamson, who plays Archibald Craven, related to this play as something that could help people suffering from a tough loss. “Usually, you are holding onto something that causes … a hang-up in your life,” Williamson said. “There are a lot of people I know who are struggling with a loved one who has passed away and how they (are going to) move on. It’s important to remember that our identity can’t be in another person or material things. It has to be in Christ only.” Williamson compared the musical’s theme to the freedom found in Christ. “Looking at my own life and asking myself, ‘What is that one thing in my life I need to give over to God and say, I place this burden in your hands so I can live in freedom?’” Williamson said. Although this story deals specifically with loss as a result of death, some cast members felt the theme could be applied in other
another better,” Mosley said. “It is not just about unity as far as race goes. We want to tackle four issues – race, community, culture and status.” Mosley designed the NeighborHOOD logo to show a diamond shape. Each point of the diamond represents one of the issues of race, community, culture and status they want to address. Mosley said he had a narrower vision for NeighborHOOD at the beginning of the planning process, but he quickly realized he needed to expand. “It began specifically as gearing toward people in the inner city and people in the suburban communities, seeing that people in the inner city aren’t all that bad,” Mosley said. “But as I saw it branching out more, I realized everyone has a stereotype to deal with.” Mosley graduated last December from Liberty with a degree in advertising and public relations and now works at the YMCA of Roanoke, Virginia, as the fulltime program coordinator. Mosley is working to grow NeighborHOOD, and although
circumstances as well. “In this specific instance, (the loss) is definitely death, but it could also be if someone has moved into another season of life,” Williams said. “(The main idea is) the influence they had on you in a particular season in your life.” Williamson related the
he has limited time to devote to his movement, friends and supporters have helped spread the word. “People just started liking (NeighborHOOD),” Mosley said. “I connected with friends and then curiosity happened and more people wanted to know what this NeighborHOOD movement was. From there I created a Facebook page, and I started posting more pictures, and even more people starting wondering what NeighborHOOD was.” Along with interest from friends, Mosley has seen interest from other like-minded organizations in Roanoke. The CityWorks (X)po in Roanoke invited Mosley to be part of its interactive summit, which happens once a year in early October, and WSET Channel 13 even contacted Mosley for an interview. The NeighborHOOD website features “Untypicals” — photographs and short biographies of people who have learned to live above their stereotypes. Mosley said he hopes people will do
theme to his graduation in May 2014. “When I graduated, it was super hard to leave,” Williamson said. “I was with my friends for such a long time, but there was a point where I had to move on and say, ‘This is what God has for me now.’” Although playing a
more than just appreciate the NeighborHOOD movement, as he hopes they will change their own perspective of others. “Instead of looking at a person and saying they look like this, so they must do this, we need to have correct lenses so we can see those people as human beings and get to know them,” Mosley said. “The only way foundation and growth comes is from understanding the person, not just assuming we know everything.” In the future, Mosley said he hopes NeighborHOOD will reach beyond social media. Mosley’s ideas include hosting events such as discussion panels, social gatherings and 5K races. To keep up with the NeighborHOOD movement, follow @neighborhoodmove on Instagram, like the Facebook page at facebook.com/neighborhood15 or visit neighborhood15.wix. com/neighborhood.
FRASER is a feature reporter.
young girl was a challenge for Harman, she enjoyed experiencing childlike faith. “I love being a kid and seeing the world through a child’s eyes and seeing something so fresh and new coming to life.” Harman said. “It just reminds me so much of having faith like a child and that’s
what our walk with God should be.” The show runs through May 3. More information about the show and ticket sales can be found on Alluvion’s website, alluvionstage.com. MAURER is a feature reporter.
Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion
REMEMBER — Archibald Craven, played by Timmy Williamson, discovered that his deceased wife’s garden had been unlocked and invaded by his niece and his son.
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B6 | April 21, 2015 | Liberty Champion
Prodigy-like potential
Homeschooler Logan Smith sets himself up for success on and off the court Jacob Clarke jlclarke3@liberty.edu
At 6 feet 3 inches, Logan Smith, now 19, grew up playing the sport that was the common choice among young athletes with his kind of height: basketball. He excelled during his years of competing in the Lynchburg Home School Athletic Association, but at age 16, a newfound pursuit captured his attention: beach volleyball. Fast-forward two years after his first experience with volleyball, and Logan Smith and his teammate, Thomas Boring, 18, placed fifth in the 2014 USA Junior Beach Volleyball Tour, a national competition held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While his training in basketball provided him with some foundation for volleyball, his initial experience with the game revealed no hints of his future accomplishments. Logan Smith, now a high school senior who also takes two residential classes at Liberty, accompanied his sister to a volleyball open gym one afternoon about two years ago. Logan Smith’s soon-to-be teammate also attended and invited him to join his team, and Logan Smith does not try to disguise his debut performance. “I had no idea what I was doing,” Logan Smith said. “I had never touched a volleyball before in my life.” Though Logan Smith was unaware of it, Boring saw traits in him that captured his attention. “He actually picked up some things quickly, and he would correct mistakes on a dime,” Boring said. “It was really his ability to be coached.” Not long after, the two became teammates. Logan Smith and Boring diligently trained for close to a month before their first tournament, with Logan Smith mostly learning to grasp the fundamentals of the game. Boring’s father, an experienced volleyball player and coach, assisted Logan Smith in understanding the basics of the sport. “(Contrary to indoor volleyball), in beach volleyball you have to master every single
Courtney Russo| Liberty Champion
SWITCH — Logan Smith mainly played basketball until he found a love for volleyball. skill,” Logan Smith said. “You have to pass, set, hit and serve.” With just one other player on his side of the court, Logan Smith lacked the chance to stand passively in the background while he adjusted to the speed of a real game. His competitive drive led him to feel prepared for a small tournament in a nearby town. “We placed second in the tournament,” Logan Smith said. “Well, there were only three teams in this one,” he laughingly admitted. While his demeanor is generally
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easygoing and relaxed, Logan Smith said the volleyball court brings out a more fervent side of him than basketball does. Boring commented that Logan Smith’s enthusiasm for the game closely mirrors his own. Even a small win ignited a spark powerful enough to inspire Logan Smith to continue practicing with an even more intense regimen. “Once we saw the fruit of our training, we thought, ‘Let’s do this,’” Logan Smith said. “We started training a bit more and played in some of the beach
COLORS continued from B8 I would definitely do again.” Life4U also provided a variety of food and frozen treats for runners along with entertainment, from a photo booth for those wanting to show off their new “pops of color” look to a performance by Liberty dance crew D-Trex. The event ended with a color pit filled with dancing and laughter from both staff and participants. Hawkins said that while she enjoyed the fun concept of the race, Life4U strongly reminded runners of the true purpose of the event: to serve the kids affected by CMN. The race raised $8,200 in funds that would benefit CMN and Lynchburg General Hospital, many of whom attended and participated in the festivities. Adrianna Eagle, a student at Liberty, is one of the people who benefit from the funds raised because of chiari malforma-
tournaments at Liberty. It really helped (us) build chemistry.” The next stop for the duo involved a regional tournament held in Atlanta. There, Logan Smith met world champion beach volleyball player Sinjin Smith. “(Sinjin Smith) actually coached us before playing the championship game,” Logan Smith said. “Except I didn’t know who he was until I met him. He gave us really simple advice. He said, ‘You pass forward. You set straight up and down. You jump straight up to hit.’” The advice propelled them to a firstplace finish in the tournament, earning them a free trip to the national tournament at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee this past summer. Arriving at the national tournament proved to be the most pivotal and challenging moment of their efforts thus far. The national stage brought with it extra nerves and pressure, but Logan Smith kept his composure by sticking with his simple pregame routine. After advancing with relative ease past the first rounds, Logan Smith and Boring fell to the team that later finished as runner-up, sealing fifth place in the tournament. Logan Smith felt the sting of an early exit, but the team’s progress has served as motivation for future competitions. Beach volleyball season begins at the end of April, according to the Federation Internationalle De Volleyball, and Logan Smith and Boring plan on entering into professional tournaments this summer where they expect to be some of the youngest participants. They will get the experience of playing with some of the best in the game, and because the team has been the youngest duo in similar tournaments, Logan Smith and Boring have relished the description of an underdog. “We like it that way,” Logan Smith said.
CLARKE is a guest writer.
tion, which results in issues in the cerebellum, the part of the brain in charge of balance according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. “This is my second year participating and I loved it,” Eagle said. “It definitely has a huge impact on all of us because we get so hyped for it. It’s something really exciting to do, ... and I’ve really seen how God is working through this ministry and through Liberty, and it’s amazing to see lives change through this.” According to Sadie Plasterer, a senior at Liberty and co-founder of Life4U, she thought the event was a complete success and was very pleased with the outcome and total number of participants. “All the money we raised for the kids, whether it would have been $500 or $8,200, is awesome either way because it’s all for them,” Plasterer said. Life4U is hoping to eventually hold an activityfilled marathon on campus,
including tournaments in sports such as soccer, volleyball and basketball for the student body to hear the stories of each and every family that is being helped through Life4U and CMN while fighting various medical conditions and financial struggles. The purpose of the event will be to signify that each student who is willing to participate is standing up for a cure and for a life. “In the end, each event or activity we plan is just another avenue of saving lives (and) sharing love,” Cleveland said. “We want families seeing and feeling the love of Jesus Christ in every action taken by our organization.” For more information about Life4U, visit their Facebook at facebook. com/lulife4u and for information regarding Children’s Miracle Network, visit childrensmiraclenetwork hospitals.org. ELLIOTT is a feature reporter.
Must be 18 years old and willing to work long hours
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Michela Diddle | Liberty Champion
VIBRANT — 5K participants tossed various color packets into the air after the race.
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Liberty Champion | April 21, 2015 | B7
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FEATURE
B8
April 21, 2015
Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion
REVEAL — “The Secret Garden” depicts a mysterious discovery, displays child-like curiosity and ends in redemption, according to director Linda Nell Cooper.
Behind garden gates Alluvion Stage Company’s last spring season show unlocks secrets Emma Jane Maurer emaurer@liberty.edu
As spring blossoms arrive, Alluvion Stage Company’s production of “The Secret Garden” opened on the Tower Theater stage Friday, April 17. Based on the 1911 novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett, the story follows 11-year-old Mary Lennox, left an orphan as a result of the cholera epidemic that swept through India, as she returns to England to live with her reclusive Uncle Archibald and his
invalid son Colin. She soon discovers a secret garden that is haunted by “dreamers,” which are spirits from her past that guide her through her new life. Sophomore Tatiana Harman, who plays Mary Lennox, felt the addition of music to the story greatly enhanced the plot. “The music adds a whole other element that the book doesn’t have,” Harman said. “It’s beautiful, haunting and hopeful. In the book, (the theme is) bringing new life into something that was dead, but in the musical it’s
that plus learning how to work through the pain of loss and how to still love somebody even if they’re not there.” Director Linda Nell Cooper said she chose the show for Alluvion because it fit with the company’s mission of performing shows that deal with redemption. Other cast members echoed Harman and Cooper’s thoughts on the theme. “This story has such a message of hope and forgiveness that really aligns with what this school stands for,” Liberty theatre alumna Kathryn
Williams, who plays Lily Craven, said. “Knowing when people leave us that they’re not really gone, what they taught us and the influence they’ve had on our lives will always be with us no matter where we go.” Williams reflected upon the idea of someone’s memory forever affecting the lives of relatives, friends and acquaintances.
See GARDEN, B5
Finish with flying colors Life4U’s Paint Race fundraises for Children’s Miracle Network and hospitals Hannah Elliott helliott9@liberty.edu
Students and families across Lynchburg dashed across the trails at Peaks View Park in the sun while embracing sudden explosions of color at Life4U’s third annual 5K Paint Race Saturday, April 18. The race was hosted to support children with various medical needs through the organization Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) according to Ross Cleveland, Life4U’s founder and president. Life4U is a Liberty student-run organization that strives to provide the emotional and financial support for children affiliated with CMN through Lynchburg General Hospital with the help of the Lynchburg community, Cleveland said. Cleveland, a senior at Liberty, said he has always had a heart for serving children in need and had planned similar events while he was in high school. He saw an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and families in the Lynchburg area who may be struggling with various health conditions and financial debt. “I have a deep passion in bringing hope to children who are in need,” Cleveland said. “There are so many families that have children fighting a daily battle just so they can survive another day, and
if we can come alongside them to provide the encouragement they need during such a hard and exhausting time in their lives ... (while also) taking that financial burden off of many of the families that are trying to pay for that next medical bill, ... it truly means everything.” When Cleveland reached out to CMN to assist in his goal of providing emotional and financial support for terminally ill children, CMN helped Cleveland along with many others sharing in his passion to form Life4U, according to CMN hospitals coordinator Jack Whisler. Whisler explained that CMN’s partnership with Life4U has produced incredible outcomes. The supplies given as a part of Life4U’s fundraising allows for CMN hospitals to have equipment to transport premature babies to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Virginia Baptist Hospital. The other sum of funds given from Life4U allowed CMN to open its newest Center for Childbirth and Family Education, both of which are located at Virginia Baptist Hospital. Additionally, Life4U’s contribution helped build the Pediatric Center and Emergency Department Pediatric Pod at Lynchburg General Hospital. Pam Jarman, the mother of Hunter Jarman, who is one of the
children who benefits from the partnership between Life4U and CMN, expressed her gratitude toward the organizations that have and will continue to help her family. Hunter Jarman has been treated for infantile idiopathic scoliosis, a curvature of the spine. “Hunter has been through so many surgeries and challenges, ... (but) CMN is always there to help,” Pam Jarman said. “And the kids just love (the Paint Race). It’s a great way for them to meet other kids and families that are going through many of the same things.” The race featured an untimed 5K run with four paint stations along the route, where runners mostly sporting white event Tshirts were plastered with a range of orange, pink, green and blue paint powder by Life4U staff volunteers, leaving participants covered from head to toe by the time they reached the finish line. Nicole Hawkins, a sophomore at Liberty University, stormed through the course with little difficulty, finishing first. “This is the first time I’ve ever done the paint run, and I thought it was really fun,” Hawkins said. “They gave you something to look forward to each little bit and (the paint) definitely gets in your eyes. ... But I think it’s something
Michela Diddle | Liberty Champion
See COLORS, B6 PAINT RACERS — Competitors traveled through Peaks View Park.