Relient K rocks the block party B8
Football heads to Wake Forest for opener B3
LIBERTY CHAMPION Today: T.Storms 88/64 Tomorrow: P. Cloudy 83/63
Tuesday, August 28, 2012 Volume 30 • Issue 1
STUDENT CONQUERS MOUNTAIN
Libertychampion.com
Towing in effect Ashley McAlpin
akbollinger@liberty.edu
Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
SHARP TOP — Youth Ministries major Mark Simpson and his trainer, Matt Lawrence, ascend Sharp Top mountain.
From sorrow to success
Mark Simpson overcomes challenge of mountain with help from trainer Sara Warrender sewarrender2@liberty.edu
The mountain loomed in the distance, massive and unyielding to Mark Simpson’s determined stare. Birds twittered excitedly and scratched at the nearby branches as he prepared for his hike. Four short weeks with his trainer, a modified version of P90X and a determined outlook brought Mark Simpson to the base of Sharp Top Mountain the summer before his senior year at Liberty University. After losing both of his legs at a young age due to a medical condition, Mark understood the obstacle he faced would be strenuous. “I wanted to hike Sharp Top not only to motivate people, but to have that satisfaction to hike a mountain and say I did it,” Mark said. Setting goals and preparing with the head trainer at Gold’s gym paved the road
to success for this dedicated college senior. Mark began his two-hour climb riding in his trainer’s backpack, but was quickly set down to face the climb on his hands. Pain instantly began to gnaw its way up his arms, threatening to cut his dream short. The pain then numbed his arms, transforming them to robotic limbs that carried his weight with no recognition of the actions they were performing. “My arms were so tired,” Mark said. He continued on, battling with himself and pushing his body to its limit. The daunting task soon became a mind game that he was determined to win. “I like challenges,” he said. “I like pushing myself until it hurts really badly.” Although the crest of Sharp Top was within Mark’s reach, the last 10 minutes proved to be an
See SIMPSON, A8
Liberty University’s faculty, staff and students felt the pressure as the administration put a new parking plan into effect for the 2012-13 academic year. The new parking plan allowed students to choose from three zones varying in price from $30 to $400, according to Liberty’s Vice President of Financial Research and Development Richard Martin. Although some students initially complained about the apparent price increase, according to Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. and Martin, the overall price of parking has actually decreased from $1.9 million of total university income to an anticipated $1.8 million this year. “Richard spent a whole year thinking about it, planning and studying,” Falwell said. “I think we are seeing the improvements that are a result of his education. It is not something you can read in a book. Every campus is different, you have to figure out what works in your campus.” According to Martin, the new plan took years to develop. “A lot of what we did this fall we tried last spring,” Martin said. “Our big push was to go from a lot of zones to a simplified system with three zones. We managed to get 90 percent of our vehicles into those three zones.” Although the new plan had some resistance when the initial application began last spring, according to Falwell, there has been a much better response this semester. “We know we are transforming the main campus,” Martin said. “We know that that means pretty outstanding facilities are going to go in place of where some old buildings used to be, and in some cases where old parking used to be. We know that over the course of the next couple of years, we need to get the campus to understand that the closer you park to that area, the higher the demand.”
See PARKING, A3
Trumped
Millionaire mogul to speak at convocation Melanie Oelrich moelrich@liberty.edu
Ruth Bibby| Liberty Champion
TRIUMPHANT — Simpson gets a lift from his trainer.
“You’re fired!” may ring throughout Liberty University’s convocation service as billionaire Donald Trump prepares to take the stage. During convocation on Wednesday, Aug. 22, Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. announced that billionaire TV personality and real estate executive Donald Trump will head to Liberty on Sept. 24 to speak to students during convocation. TRUMP Trump, who entertained the thought of running for president in 2010 and 2011, has since endorsed Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Trump, who is more recently known for
INSIDE THE CHAMPION News
Sports
Events
Bus routes throughout campus underwent changes for the new year. A8
Liberty to open football season in Winston-Salem against Wake Forest Univ. B2
Students willingly endured the rain while enjoying the Block Party. B8
News Opinion Sports Feature
See TRUMP, A3
A1 A4 B1 B8
NEWS
A2/Liberty Champion
August 28, 2012
World Help VP, alumnus visits
National News By Tyler Eacho tpeacho@liberty.edu
Graduate of LU, author, director of Cause Life speaks to filled crowd
//Empire State Building Shooting\\
Nicole Steenburgh According to CNN, the Empire State Building was the scene of a shootout between disgruntled former apparel designer Jeffrey Johnson, 58, and two police officers on Friday morning, Aug. 24. Johnson was killed in the firefight outside the Empire State Building after he shot and killed a coworker inside. The CNN article says that he had been causing confrontation since he had been laid off from his job as a designer of women’s accessories at Hazan Import last year. In the wake of the shootout, officers fired a total of 16 rounds. Nine bystanders in the area were inadvertently wounded, but all of them survived. “The bystanders were not hit directly by police, but rather the officers struck flowerpots and other objects around, so their bullets fragmented and, in essence, that’s what caused the wounds,” Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said to CNN reporters. The slain victim was identified as Steven Ercolino by the president of State University of New York at Oneonta, where he was a 1992 graduate. //Former Marine Released from Hospital\\ Following a special hearing on Thursday, Aug. 23, Circuit Judge W. Allan Sharret declared that an order granted to federal authorities for Brandon Raub’s arrest and detainment was invalid. Raub, a 26-year-old retired Marine, pro-liberty activist and Virginia resident, was seized by the FBI, Secret Service agents and local authorities over some Facebook posts that were allegedly “terrorist in nature.” According to a Washington Times article, Michael Campbell, a social worker who swiftly evaluated Raub, determined that Raub involuntarily admitted to the alleged crime. A magistrate, Michael S. Znotens, ordered his detention at John Randolph Hospital the following day. He was later ordered by Special Justice Walter Douglass Stoke to remain for 30 days at the Veterans Hospital in Salem, Va. Political activists and military veterans all over have come to Raub’s defense. “I think it’s disgusting. This guy posted some conspiracy theory-esque posts and intimidated the Feds. So I think he either was targeted for terror suspicion anyway or he hit close to home with his accusations. Either way, I have been expecting this for some time, since DHS [Department of Homeland Security] put out that memorandum last year saying that right-wing leaning veterans that vocally dissent should be considered terror suspects,” libertarian activist and veteran Tristan Tucker said. //Neil Armstrong Dead at 82\\ Neil Armstrong, the man who captured the attention of the earth when he became the first man to step on the moon in 1969, died at the age of 82 on Saturday, Aug. 25, following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures, according to his family. Armstrong commanded what is considered one of the most daring scientific expeditions of the 20th century when the Apollo 11 spacecraft landed on the moon July 20, 1969. As he stepped on the moon, Armstrong said these famous words: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” He and Buzz Aldrin spent nearly three hours scouring the moon’s surface, taking photographs, collecting samples and conducting experiments. According to an ABC News article, Armstrong avoided the spotlight and stayed quiet later in life. He made occasional public appearances, but rarely mentioned the moon.
nksteenburgh@ liberty.edu
A graduate of Liberty University, Noel Brewer Yeatts, spoke in convocation Monday, August 27. She lives in Lynchburg, Va. with her husband, F. Patrick Yeatts, and their two children, Riley and Bailey. While at Liberty, Yeatts studied government and speech with a specialization in foreign affairs. In 1991, Noel Brewer Yeatts’ father founded World Help Organization, of which Yeatts is now the Vice President. She is involved in the many facets of World Help, including being the director of Cause Life and former director of Humanitarian Aid. As of 2010, World Help had planted over 74,000 churches around the world. According to their official website, World Help was founded on and is still committed to taking Bibles to hard-to-reach places. Not only is World Help committed to spiritual needs around the globe, but it is also devoted to the physical needs that they
Photo Provided | Liberty Champion
CAUSE LIFE — Liberty alumnus returned to her alma mater to address the student body. see. Over the years, World Help has shipped over 400 containers of medicines and disaster relief to those in need. “As we compassionately respond, we earn the right to be heard…to share the hope of Jesus Christ with the lost,” Yeatts said on the
EDITOR IN CHIEF
administration
Deborah Huff FACULTY ADVISOR
Ben Lesley
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Ashley McAlpin GRADUATE ASSISTANT
Shelanne Jennings GRADUATE ASSISTANT
Tyler Eacho ASST. NEWS EDITOR
Melanie Oelrich ASST. NEWS EDITOR
Andrew Woolfolk OPINION EDITOR
Kyle Harvey SPORTS EDITOR
Derrick Battle ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
sues that we may not see. “Helping those in need is not about guilt, handouts or charity,” Yeatts said. “Rather, the support is about justice, compassion and change.” Steenburgh is a news reporter.
Dining services broadens meal options provided in numerous on-campus spots Kendra Alleyne kralleyne@liberty.edu
Sodexo dining services is offering new options to students with food allergies, gluten intolerance or those who prefer “simpler” foods. The Simple Servings program, among others, is designed to help students make health-conscious decisions while catering to the growing number of students who dine on campus. Marketing and Catering Sales Manager for Liberty University dining services Julie Pfeifer described the Simple Serving Program as one that differs from anything that has been previously offered by catering to students who may have specific allergies. “Simple Servings offers students foods prepared without seven of the eight most common FDA allergens,” Pfeifer said. These include peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, wheat, soy, milk products and eggs. In addition to the Simple Serving option, there are several other new programs that will be added all over campus. Lavash is a Mediterraneanthemed food truck that will feature sandwiches and salads with a Greek influence. According to Pfeifer, Red Avocado is described as a “facelift” for the Reber-Thomas Dining Hall’s old southwest station. The new menu will include pulled pork, freshly-smoked meats and made-to-
1971 UNIVERSITY BLVD, LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA 24502
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own. Her new book, which came out June 2012, is called Awake: Doing a World of Good One Person at a Time. Her book directly addresses the pressing needs of those in need around the world. It encourages readers to open their eyes to the is-
New food options offered
LIBERTY CHAMPION Tabitha Cassidy
World Help website. Her passion for needs in other countries started at age 11, while she was on a short-term missions trip. To date, she has ministered in more than 12 countries, co-authored two books with her father and written a book of her
Greg Leasure
designer
Tessanna Curtis
GRAPHIC DESIGN
FEATURE EDITOR COPY EDITOR
photography
Ruth Bibby
PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
order quesadillas and burritos. The new Wellness Zone will also feature a larger variety of salads and homemade dressings. Pfeifer said these options are ideal for a low-calorie diet. “The Wellness Zone is for students who don’t The Reber want to sacrifice taste for lowThomas calorie dining,” dining hall Pfeifer said. In addition feeds 7,000 to these healthy a day, and choices, Sodexo all meal is accommodating students who options have a sweet feed tooth and a love 14,000 a for Chick-Fil-A, as Dunkin Doday. nuts will replace the Keyhole on South Campus and Chick-Fil-A is now open in the Tilley Student Center. Pfeifer seems hopeful that Dunkin Donuts will be a huge success among students. “Students will be able to enjoy their favorite coffee drinks, freshly made donuts, and breakfast sandwiches on-the-go,” Pfeifer said. Chick-Fil-A has proven to be one of the most popular food outlets on campus, and with its new location, Pfeifer is sure that it will remain so. “We are thrilled to have such a beautiful new build-out and expect
FYI
LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICIES & INFO
it to remain one of our most popular retail outlets.” Pfeifer stressed that students seem to be enthused about the new food options on campus, as she has been receiving positive feedback from many individuals. “Students are very excited about our new concepts. They say you eat with your eyes first, and I think the more opportunities we give students to make better food choices which appeal to the senses, they will be pleased,” Pfeifer said. Pfeifer seemed optimistic about future restaurants and dining options on campus as she and her team continues to accommodate the evergrowing student body. “Plans are currently underway for additional dining at DeMoss and the new library. As construction continues to progress, more solid plans for dining brands and concepts will as well,” Pfeifer said. “As the campus grows, we will continue to research and develop new and fresh ways to keep dining exciting for Liberty University students, staff and faculty.”
ALLEYNE is a news reporter.
The Champion encourages community members to submit letters to the editor on any subject. Letters should not exceed 400 words and must be typed and signed. The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday. Letters and columns that appear are the opinion of the author solely, not the Champion editorial board or Liberty University. All material submitted becomes property of the Champion. The Champion reserves the right to accept, reject or edit any letter received—according to the Champion stylebook, taste and the Liberty University mission statement.
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NEWS
August 28, 2012
Liberty Champion/A3
FYI
Liberty will add a total of 1,480 parking spaces. 1,000 have been added and another 480 are being worked on. The university now has 12,700 total spaces. Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
TOWING — Bee Line Towing has been busy moving vehicles that are improperly parked. On the first day of class, the company towed 50 cars that were illegally-parked.
PARKING continued from A1 The zones were filled both through lottery and a first-come-first-serve basis, according to Martin. “We needed to come up with a way to manage that demand,” Martin said. “We set out that the main campus would be the issue. Protecting and addressing that area was our main issue.” With addressing that issue in mind, the administration chose to begin towing all unauthorized or illegally-parked vehicles on the first day of classes, according to Liberty University Police Department’s Chief of Police Colonel Richard D. Hinkley. “You will find that those cars that used to park illegally in front of DeMoss will not be parking in those illegal spots anymore,” Hinkley said. “We towed 50 cars on Monday, 40
Tuesday and close to 30 on Wednesday.” This decrease in illegal parking is mainly because of the improved parking within the other zones, according to Hinkley. The administration also stressed the external pressure that impacts parking. “The infrastructure outside of Liberty is inadequate in terms of handling the amount of traffic we bring in,” Director of Auxiliary Services Lee Beaumont said. “It was just not built to handle the volume.” However, Falwell said there are ways for students to help make a change. “It is important for students to register to vote so they can put pressure on the city to upgrade the roads around Liberty. Lynchburg receives the vast majority of its sales tax revenue from the stores surrounding Liberty, but instead of spending the
TRUMP continued from A1 NBC’s reality show The Apprentice, began his successful real estate career under his father’s booming real estate company, Elizabeth Trump and Son, which was renamed The Trump Organization. Trump has recently hit Virginia headlines when he purchased the $6 million
money to widen Wards Road, the city spends millions on fancy sidewalks downtown,” Falwell said. “The only way that it is going to change is for students to register to vote locally in big numbers. If students get involved, these inequities will end,” Falwell said. Hinkley also stressed the immediate changes that can be made in order to foster a better campus atmosphere. “Really evaluate your need for parking,” Hinkley said. “If you want to pay the higher amount, fine. But if you are only going to use your car twice a semester, there may be someone who really needs that space, and we will transition your decal to a lower cost.”
MCALPIN is a graduate assistant.
Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard in Albemarle County in April 2011. A buzz of excitement and surprise from the crowd followed the announcement that the well-known mogul will make his way to Lynchburg in about a month. OELRICH is the asst. news editor.
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Parking responses Students and staff have differing views on parking Melanie Oelrich moelrich@liberty.edu
Students, staff and faculty have expressed mixed feelings about the new parking system that has been in effect since the first day of the new semester. Josh Steele, an off-campus senior exercise science major, does not mind the current parking arrangement. “I get here early enough, and I never have a problem finding a spot,” Steele said. “I think this structure has opened up campus a lot.” He also alluded to the bus system being a great option to get around campus. “Most of my classes are in Green Hall, and I park in that area, so it makes things really easy for me,” Steele said. Amanda Wine, a sophomore oncampus student, does not particularly appreciate the new parking system. “Al-
though I’m a sophomore and was able to bring my car to campus this year, I would rather freshmen and sophomores not be allowed to bring a car to campus, because it would open up parking even more,” Wine said. Deborah Huff, the faculty advisor for the Liberty Champion, is thrilled with the parking system. “I am able to park in front of my office every day. There are always spaces, and that has taken a lot of stress away,” Huff said. The fee for faculty and staff to park in the gated lots has jumped from $50 to either $400 or $600. If they choose not to park in the gated lots, they have the same options as students of parking in a zone or carpooling. OELRICH is the asst. news editor.
OPINION
August 28, 2012
Chick-Fil-A fries up controversy Andrew Woolfolk
alwoolfolk@liberty.edu
Call me an old man, but I remember the good old days of a certain fast-food chain called Chick-Fil-A. I remember when your biggest concern was whether or not the aforementioned restaurant had a hot batch of waffle fries, and the only controversy in the air was that it was not open on Sundays. Oh, how I miss those days, the ones when the phrase “let’s go to Chick-FilA” did not start a political fire storm amongst your friends and families. Nowadays, Chick-Fil-A has bigger fish—oops, I mean chicken—to fry. In a July 16 article for the Christian website Baptist Press, Chick-Fil-A president and chief operation officer Dan Cathy was asked about his organizaJoel Ready | Liberty Champion tion’s traditional values, specifically their CHICK-FIL-A MELÉE — Chicken has not been the only thing the popular Christian-based restaurant has served up. belief on the traditional family setup. “Guilty as charged,” Cathy replied when asked about his support of tra- support for Cathy’s forthright opinions. large portion of people there to stand who went with the desire to condemn, I ditional marriage. “We are very much On that day of appreciation, Aug. up for our freedom of speech, I can- say this. In 1 Corinthians 6:9, those who supportive of the family—the biblical 1, Cathy reported that the restaurant not help but think that some sinis- gossip, cheat, lie or steal will not inherit definition of the family unit. We are had broken its previous record for sales terly distorted the event’s purpose. the kingdom of God either. We are told a family-owned business, a family-led in one day with seven hours still left of The Huffington Post reported on the to “put away all malice and hypocrisy” business, and we are married to our first business. While no official number was prodigious amount of discrimination that in 1 Peter 2:1. In Matthew 5:16, we are wives. We give God thanks for that.” given, the point was, or at least seemed, happened at numerous locations. In At- told to “let our light shine before others.” And just like that, the anatomy of a de- clear to most of those who attended. lanta, an unnamed employee who was So while yes, homosexuality is wrong, bate was created. Within days, members People’s appreciation for freedom gay stated that he received comments the bigotry and hate spewed toward of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans- of speech, and the occasional chick- from customers unaware of his orienta- those of that lifestyle is just as unacgender community had voiced their dis- en sandwich, is still alive and well. tion expressing their ability to eat in peace ceptable. It shouldn’t take a sandwich pleasure with the restaurant. Thousands And while debating Cathy’s right to and “not support the queers.” In Colo- to spark a religious movement, nor is joined in to sign online petitions—some to his belief frivolously ignores the funda- rado, an employee reported on how many a movement a scapegoat for antipathy. boycott the fast-food chain, others to sup- mentals of the First Amendment, a fair customers had clearly distorted Cathy’s Next time, let’s form a long line of Chrisport it. Politicians chimed in too. Bos- question can be explored. If you sup- views and told employees that they tians outside of a homeless shelter, a priston Mayor Thomas Menino and Chicago ported the event, what was your motive? were glad that the company hated gays. on or a crisis pregnancy center. You know, Mayor Rahm Emanuel remarked that Sadly, to the casual bystander, the To reiterate, Cathy did nothing wrong, something God commanded us to do. they would not support Chick-Fil-A stores influx of supporters gave the ap- Huckabee did nothing wrong, and HuckNow that will start some controversy. opening in their respective cities. On pearance of an uncaring group of abee’s idea had good intentions. Those the contrary, former Arkansas governor Christians who preferred their sand- who went with noble intentions performed Mike Huckabee organized a “Chick-Fil- wich with a side of condemnation. an honest act, one worth commending in WOOLFOLK is the A Appreciation Day” as a way to show So while there was undoubtedly a this day and age. However, to the ones opinion editor.
Ryan’s selection gives campaign direction Jacob Tellers
jtellers@liberty.edu
With the selection of 7-term Congressman Paul Ryan as his vice presidential running mate, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has bolstered his conservative credentials while attempting to make the economy the focus of the 2012 election. Ryan has been a key figure in shaping Republican economic policy throughout his tenure in Congress. Romney strongly endorsed Ryan’s economic polices when introducing him as his running mate. “With energy and vision, Paul Ryan has become an intellectual leader of the Republican Party. He understands the fiscal challenges facing America,” Romney said when introducing his running mate during a campaign stop in Norfolk. As Chairman of the House Budget Committee, Ryan played a large role in writing the 2013 Republican budget proposal. According to an article he wrote for the House of Representatives official website, the budget claims to cut spending by “$5 trillion relative to [the] President’s budget.” It calls for the repeal of the health care bill, among other changes. “This budget offers a blue-
From the
Desk We as people are responsible for many of our own shortcomings, failures and faults. However, this common malfunction generally gets explained away by the small, simple phrase, “I’m only human.” But why is it that when a coworker, superior or
James Currie| Flickr
ROMNEY & RYAN — Ryan’s economically-savvy background will be the hub of Romney’s campaign. print for safeguarding America from the perils of debt, doubt and decline,” Ryan said in the bill’s introduction. Selecting Ryan allows Romney to build his credentials as someone who will rebuild the economy. This continued focus on the economy will give Romney an advantage over Obama in November. A recent poll by Fox News showed that voters view the economy as the most important issue for this election with 56 percent of respondents
even a subordinate fails at something, this individual, who is equally human, suddenly becomes something more? We have a tendency to judge others more harshly than ourselves. Primarily, this is because their excuses are not swimming inside our minds, reminding us of all the obstacles stacking up against them that we would explain away. All that we can see are the things these people should have done differently. To us, these people are not only human, but su-
describing it as “very important.” However, Ryan does bring some baggage to the campaign. In 2005, he gave a speech where he talked about Ayn Rand, the author of the book Atlas Shrugged. “I grew up reading Ayn Rand, and it taught me quite a bit about who I am and what my value systems are, and what my beliefs are,” said Ryan, as quoted in a recent article on The Huffington Post. “The reason I got involved in public service, by and large, if I had to credit one thinker, one
per human. They appear to be something more, someone more capable than ourselves, who should not have made such a big mistake. When I was in high CASSIDY school, I read about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor and theologian who resisted Nazism during World War II. He once famously wrote that “by judging others we blind ourselves
person, it would be Ayn Rand.” Many of Rand’s beliefs directly contradict Ryan’s Catholicism. A recent CNN article by Gary Weiss described Rand as a “militant atheist who favored abortion” and believed in an extreme version of capitalism where there is no morality and where people should simply look out for themselves. In a recent interview with the National Review, Ryan disavowed Rand’s writings, declaring them “antithetical” to his own views.
to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are.” We often forget this when we learn about others’ mistakes. The news is constantly filled with stories of big wig chief executive officers (CEOs) who made a wrong move and metaphorically let their businesses burn to the ground. When the news enters the gossip-filled social atmosphere, the CEOs are blamed for hundreds of people losing their jobs and criticized for all of their actions.
While there is nothing wrong with Ryan changing and correcting his views over time, this does raise the issue of what his core beliefs really are. This was not just a slip of tongue or a typo. His previous support of Rand was intentional. Instead of brushing this aside as if it had never happened, in the coming weeks of campaigning, Ryan should address his previous support of Rand. This is something that, if left unexplained, could be used against him. The current economic policies he is trying to enact could be a great help to the country, but Ryan needs to address this issue so that it cannot be used to derail him. With his selection of Ryan, Romney has drawn a clear battle line for this year’s election and has made the economy the focal point of the election. If Ryan is willing to clarify his beliefs and use his recent accomplishments as credentials, his economic expertise will be a valuable addition to Romney’s campaign. The stage has been set. The actors are in their positions. It is time for the show to begin.
TELLERS is an opinion writer.
At the same time, a schoolteacher accidentally teaches her students the wrong dates for a long-ago war that no one really remembers anyway. While the thought plagues the teacher’s mind, no one notices her error, and she tells herself that “we all make mistakes.” Yet she still condemns the CEO. The magnitudes of their mistakes are different, but both are errors. Being in the public eye chastises the CEO, but the teacher’s faults are left to herself, allowing them to be justified inside her mind.
All of us should reverse our thought processes, start taking the blame for our own actions and try to help others out of their blunders and mishaps instead of judging something that we know nothing about. We have the capability to help each other, so we should stop making excuses for ourselves and start lending a helping hand to those who might need it, despite their positions in life. And yet, we won’t. After all, we’re only human.
OPINION
August 28, 2012
Identity crisis at the polls New measures aimed at bolstering requirements have politicians bickering Whitney Rutherford wrutherford2@liberty.edu
Before you board a flight, airport security officials examine your ticket and photo ID. Before issuing you a ticket, a police officer requests your vehicle registration and driver’s license. Before voting, you prove who you are by…just showing up at the polls? Arguments rage in legislatures, courts and lobbying agencies across the United States over how strict voting laws should be. The Brennan Center for Justice recorded new voting legislation that has been introduced in 41 states. Democrats and minority interest groups insist that stricter legislation hampers voting participation while Republicans state that voters are not discouraged. Why all the fuss? Identity verification is an everyday process in American life. If our airports, police and liquor stores require you to prove that you are who you say you are, our voting precincts should aim to do the same. The new wave of voting laws seek to modernize and streamline the American voting process by adding another checkpoint to our lives. The New York Times reported that Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. referred to our voter registration system as “antiquated” in 2011. That is one comment both parties agree on. Unsurprisingly, Democrats and Republicans disagree on the solution. The Republican-backed voting laws encompass three main areas: proof of identification, proof of citizenship and more challenging registration. Proof of identification means that in such states as Alabama, Tennessee and Pennsylvania, you must pres-
ccrumpler@liberty.edu
Journalism and the American public may be forever altered from the complete neglect of truth and humanity that prevailed days after the July 20 Aurora, Col. shootings. When the news first broke of the tragedy, the public immediately wanted to know how such a thing had happened. We sat glued to our screens, read every scrap of information we could in attempt to understand what exactly happened on that night in Theater 9. How could such a thing could happen, and who was responsible? The more we learned, the more we wanted to know about the victims, our fellow Americans. Who were they, what kind of lives did they live, what were their jobs, their passions? Who did they love and who loved them? We wanted to better know these victims, to understand and better connect with them. To better empathize with their pain and the pain of their families. What we received from the media was not memorials by loving families or exposés on
Fresh advice for freshman
Words of wisdom from an upperclassman Karin Thompson kthompson21@liberty.edu
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STRICTER REGULATIONS — Will new standards affect how many come out to vote? ent a photo ID to vote. Virginia chose a more lenient approach, allowing voters to present a variety of acceptable IDs. The identification law has been challenged in states such as Pennsylvania, but Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson laid the situation bare, stating that laws are “merely an election regulation to verify a voter’s identity.” Even more contentious is legislation requiring proof of citizenship to vote. Alabama, Kansas and Tennessee require you to present an article such as your birth certificate before voting. Such legislation hopes to prevent repeating scandals such as when Colorado’s secretary of state admitted in a 2011 congressional testimony that 11,000 non-citizens were registered to vote in Colorado. As states are raising voting
standards to protect our democratic system, the Democratic party and minority interest groups fear that students, the elderly or racial minorities will not meet voting requirements. Yet American voters and past elections point to the positive affect of stringent voting laws. A University of Missouri study published in 2006 found that during an election that year in Indiana, the first to require identification, voter turnout actually increased overall. The uptick in turnout is telling, but The American University Center for Democracy went one step further and surveyed registered voters in Maryland, Mississippi and Indiana. This 2008 study revealed that “more than two-thirds of respondents believe the U.S. electoral system would be trusted more if voters were required to show a
photo ID.” Rather than deterring or preventing particular groups from voting, stricter voting requirements increase trust and turnout for the American election process. A collaborative 2007 study by Jason D. Mycoff and David C. Wilson of the University of Delaware and Michael W. Wagner of the University of NebraskaLincoln states that “concerns about voter identification laws affecting turnout are much ado about nothing.” The debate over whether politicians like stricter voting requirement is far from over. Yet Americans seems sure, and state governments actually seem ready, to prove that their vote is their own, and no one else’s. RUTHERFORD is an opinion writer.
Aurora victims deserved prayer not politics Caroline Crumpler
Liberty Champion/A5
the victims and calls for prayer. In the hours following the first reports of the shooting, the media, politicians and lobbyist began the age-old debate over gun control. Politicians used the horrific Aurora tragedy to better their campaign by hoping to force opponents to blunder and polarize constituents. Lobbyist for gun control and the NRA crowd jumped on the chance to use the shootings as a prime example for their soapbox. The media jumped on the issue since nothing sells like a juicy hot topic, even an old rehashed one like gun control. What is there left to be said? Gun control activists claim the need for stricter laws prohibiting the sale of certain guns and ammunition as well as harsher regulation of sales. Those of a certain psychological or criminal background should be restricted from ownership. Who needs, they ask, 100 round drums or magazines that hold anything over the standard eight bullets? Automatic or even semi-automatic weapons are tools of destruction only and not intended or needed by the average sportsman. Second Amendment activ-
“We wanted to better know these victims, to understand and better connect with them.” ists argue that no amount of laws will stop criminals from obtaining weapons. Wouldbe shooters are already prepared to break the law, and no amount of paperwork would stem that. The Second Amendment guarantees the right to own and bear arms not simply for recreational purposes, but also to deter the United States from becoming a tyrannical police state. Founding fathers knew the importance of being able to arm a militia. Laws are already in place to protect citizens from gun violence. Any more would only serve to defy the constitution and disarm and leave unprotected law abiding-citizens. The arguments go on. Plenty of space could be filled arguing the merits or disadvantages of gun control. It is a complex and timely issue. However, the question at hand is that in the wake of such a
tragedy, is it the proper time to hold such an argument? Should media outlets and politicians use a time of national grief to grandstand for their own financial or political gain? What Americans saw after the July 20 shootings was a blatant use of sensationalism by the media. Instead of directing their viewers and readers to pray for the families and celebrate the lives lost, the shootings served as a catalyst for political gain. Journalists are supposed to report the full story to the public while remaining respectful to their subjects. Steering conversation away from the victims in a time of national grief is both inhuman and unethical. While arguments should never be silenced on such a potent issue, they should be raised at a tactful, respectful time. The immediate wake of such a horrific tragedy is not the time to talk politics.
CRUMPLER is an opinion writer.
If you have ever been on hold with one of our academic departments, you know that Liberty University is the “most exciting” Christian university. There are endless opportunities to choose from, and they are all offered in one place: right here. With all these new challenges and choices right at your fingertips, time management has never been more crucial. Most people are never afforded the opportunity that you have in front of you. There are ways that you can make these years the best of your life! Take the time that you have seriously. The odds are that you will not be a college student for the rest of your life. Make sure that you are able to give yourself the time to breathe and have fun, and also to bring everything into focus when you This year’s need to study. You freshman are here for school, class is and you should alLiberty’s ways make it your largest priority. Recognize what you need to do ever, with in order to maintain the grades that you just under 3,000 need to achieve and make that your goal. students. Consider your work and your studies to be praise unto the Lord, and always give it everything that you have. The easiest way to get through life without having to look back at your regrets is to give your work the effort that it deserves. The people at Liberty earnestly seek after and love God with their lives, and there are plenty who would love to help you and walk with you as you journey toward that. Always give new opportunities a chance. The days of being spoon-fed are gone. College is often not easy, and hard work is a requirement to make your way through and succeed. Anyone on student leadership can tell you that there are times when it seems like there is no point, and that no one cares or listens. But the truth is that God has set about a purpose, uniquely for you, and His ways are higher than your own. Less than a week ago, I was on my way to school when a semi-truck pushed my car into the median, causing it to flip. I have been asked repeatedly how I am able to have a good attitude about everything that happened. Why dwell on the scary possibilities when I can move forward and make the most of my final year of college? You cannot change what has happened, but you can choose how you respond to it and what you do about it. Again, recognize the gift that you have to be going to Liberty. Go to Snowflex and ski or take in the beautiful sunset from the lodge. Listen to the voices of those earnestly praising the Lord at campus church. Laugh at the corny jokes your teachers tell in class. Know that someone on this campus is praying for you every single day, just because they can. You have been given a gift to be a student at Liberty University, and as Luke 12:48 says, “For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required.” What will you do with what you are given?
FYI
THOMPSON is an opinion writer.
SEE THESE STORIES ONLINE TODAY 1. SPORTS CUT BARBERY OPENS FOR BUSINESS ON WARDS CROSSING 2. OMGFORAMERICA—THE VIRGINIA GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE VOTERS TO BE HEARD. 3. REFUGE FOUND FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY POWER OUTAGES
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VISIT THE CHAMPION’S WEBSITE AT LIBERTYCHAMPION.COM OR CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK. Ruth Bibby
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OPINION
A6/Liberty Champion
August 28, 2012
Photo Provided
AT THE POOL — The social media’s college-friendly layout matches users with people who share the same interests.
Meeting new friends ‘At the Pool’
The social media site offers the ability to keep up with old friends with the fresh bonus of meeting new ones Samantha Gum sgum@liberty.edu
At the Pool, a new social network created for students, will be hosting an exclusive launch for Liberty University, Aug. 28. In a world where social networks have become the norm, launches like this are nothing new. It seems as if there is a new network pining for our membership every month. Some sites come and go (remember MySpace?), while others stick around for a while and become part of our daily routine. For many Americans, status updates are read and tweets composed almost as quickly as the computer is opened. But according to At the Pool founder and CEO, Alex Capecelatro, all of these sites are missing something. The social networks that are most frequented all
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focus on the same idea: staying connected. Facebook, Twitter and even Pintrest link the user with people they already know. Yes, it is great to stay in touch with old friends, but those friendships can only go so far. When moving away from home, students are faced with the challenge of finding new friends in a new community. This is where At the Pool comes in. Rather than attempting to maintain friendships where physical interactions are few and far between, At the Pool strives to give face-to-face interaction. When explaining the motivation for creating the site, Capecelatro said he was “frustrated with how difficult it is to meet new people and how the Internet has been a barrier instead of a gateway. We set out to create a platform that gets us offline.” It seems ironic that a website has
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been created with the intention of getting people off the Internet and out into their neighborhoods, but that is exactly what At the Pool was created to do. So what exactly is At the Pool? A press release circulated by Capecelatro refers to it as “a service that connects students around interests, making it fun and easy to meet new people.” As with any other social network, the infamous personal profile must be created. Much of the process is the same: a profile picture can be uploaded, and the typical questions such as location and gender will be asked. Once the basics have been covered, the next step is to choose interests from a list that covers everything from bacon to sleeping. It is from these interests that “matches” will be chosen. After the match has been found, a 24-hour time frame for chat-
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ting will be given. On a large campus such as Liberty University, the intent is to find people with similar interests to break out of our social circles. “Like any good host, we make an introduction because we know you’ll get along,” Capecelatro said in the press release. Yes, this seems like just another invitation to join the fad of social networking sites hoping to make it big, but consider it an invitation to a pool of extraordinary people. Whether you are new to campus or returning, this is a great chance to make new connections. Dive into the new site by going to AtThePool.com and requesting an invite using “Liberty” as the code. See you At The Pool. GUM is a feature reporter.
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Liberty Champion/A7
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Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Limited-time offer. Samsung Galaxy S III requires a new 2-yr wireless agreement with voice (min $39.99/mo.) and monthly data plans (min $20/mo.). Subject to Wireless Customer Agrmt. Credit approval req’d. Activ fee $36/line. Geographic, usage, and other terms, conditions, and restrictions apply and may result in svc termination. Coverage and svcs not avail everywhere. Taxes and other charges apply. Data (att.com/dataplans): If usage exceeds your monthly data allowance, you will automatically be charged overage for additional data provided. Early Termination Fee (att.com/equipmentETF): After 30 days, ETF up to $325. Restocking fee up to $35. Other Monthly Charges: Line may include a Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge (up to $1.25), a gross receipts surcharge, federal and state universal svc charges, and fees and charges for other gov’t assessments. These are not taxes or gov’t req’d charges. Monthly discount: Service discount applies only to the monthly service charge of qualified plans and not to any other charges. Available only to qualified students and employees of colleges/universities with a qualified business agreement. Other service discount qualification requirements may apply. Restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply. See store for details. Visit a store or att.com/wireless to learn more about wireless devices and services from AT&T. ©2012 Zynga Inc. All rights reserved. Zynga, Words With Friends, and their respective logos are trademarks of Zynga Inc. Screen images simulated. All other marks used herein are the property of their respective owners. ©2012 AT&T Intellectual Property.
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NEWS
A8/Liberty Champion
August 28, 2012
GLTC keeps running strong Transit company continues service to Liberty University
Tyler Eacho tpeacho@liberty.edu
The Greater Lynchburg Transit Company (GLTC) underwent a change in management over the summer after a fiscal year where the company had to impose service cuts, hikes in bus fares and layoffs in an effort to avoid debt. The company has been in partnership with Liberty University since 2007 in an effort to offer an on-campus bus service that could reduce traffic and help students in need of getting to class quickly. According to the Virginia transit website, both the university and GLTC saw almost immediate positive results from the partnership. An article on the Virginia transit website says that the service, which began with six buses, was so popular on campus that the university devised a plan to increase the number to 12 in peak hours and eventually added off-campus services to pick up commuters from housing developments with high concentrations of Liberty students. GLTC saw the city’s total ridership double following this partnership. A News and Advance article documented the bus company’s financial trouble during the 2011-12 fiscal year, which ended in July. Karen Walton replaced Mike Carroll in late July. Carroll had led GLTC for 16 years before taking a corporate position with First Transit, who owns GLTC. According to the News and Advance, Walton came GLTC to Lynchburg from buses on Sioux Falls, S.D., where she had manLiberty’s aged the Sioux Area campus Metro, also owned by have First Transit, for five years. GLTC is hopdoubled ing that the change since 2007. in management will bring growth and improvement, something that Walton was able to accomplish in Sioux Falls. “GLTC is in talks with a number of transit companies for entering into a new contract, and the company is waiting to hear back, whether that be from First Transit or someone else,” GLTC board member and City Manager Kimball Payne said. “It most likely wouldn’t affect the Liberty routes because the university pays for the partnership existing with GLTC and decides what routes run on campus.” Lynchburg residents and Liberty students alike are used to changes in the city’s transit system. Since the partnership began, the university has added buses and routes and has changed both the routes and the numbering system to make it easier for students to access different parts of campus. As GLTC struggled in March, a new contract for this school year was proposed for nearly $2 million, a steep increase from the $1.14 million contract signed when the partnership began in 2007. According to the News and Advance, the school board at Liberty University was unable to accept the unexpected increases and announced its intention to end its contract with GLTC. When GLTC underwent its management change, the company renegotiated its contract with the university, finding a way to come to an agreement and main-
FYI
Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
VOTING — After registering, students should locate their polling location.
Jillian Springer | Liberty Champion
BUS STOP — A GLTC bus picks up many students. taining the partnership. With the university continually undergoing construction and changing campus locations, the renewed contract with GLTC did not come without alterations to the routes. The route numbers, which changed in the fall of 2010, now remained the same, but administration revamped the system to accommodate the construction taking place around campus and the addition of the East Campus satellite parking lot. “We changed the system because we had some changes on campus that we felt required attention, but we kept the main route numbers,” Liberty University Transit Director Timothy Spencer said. The 71 route now shuttles students between Green Hall and South Campus, stopping at DeMoss Hall, while the 72 route runs from Green Hall to the East Campus satellite parking lot. “We wanted a bus to go to the east side of campus because we will eventually be moving into the health sciences building and because we wanted to be able to move students in and out from that satellite parking lot,” Spencer said. “That will help us greatly this year.” GLTC has 13 buses running Liberty routes this year, compared to the six in 2007. Both the 71 and the 72 routes have five buses, while the 73 route, which takes students living in the Liberty Annex to and from campus, has three buses. Even with previous changes meant to accommodate students, GLTC saw a steep decline in Liberty riders in the previous fiscal year. The university’s campus lost about 695,000 riders for the year, according to a News and Advance article. “It wasn’t necessarily the routes that caused the decline in student ridership,” Spencer said. “When administration opened up more classroom space in DeMoss Hall and made Green Hall predominantly administrative, less students had to ride the bus from DeMoss Hall to Green Hall to get to class.” “The decline in student ridership does not affect GLTC,” Payne said. “That partnership is not based on riders. It’s based on the hours of service that the buses provide.” Either way, the partnership between Liberty University and GLTC remains in place for now, and students wishing to get to campus locations quicker than by foot will continue to hop on to GLTC buses.
Voter registration Tabitha Cassidy tcassidy@liberty.edu
Jay Sir ysir@liberty.edu
As the 2012 general election looms closer, the 40th Republican National Convention had to cancel Monday’s events in fear of being flooded out by Hurricane Isaac, according to a public advisory by the National Weather Service. According to the 2012 Republican National Convention’s website, gopconvetion2012.com, 2,286 delegates and 2,125 alternate delegates will congregate together from Aug. 27-30 to nominate the Republican candidate for the 2012 general election, despite the ominous weather forecast. “We may be paddling water for a day or two depending on Hurricane Isaac,” alternate delegate Wendell Walker from Virginia’s sixth district, and a Liberty University alumnus, said. “[I am] just hoping and praying that the hurricane will move west.” Walker’s hopes and prayers were answered as the National Weather Service announced that the hurricane has begun moving west, missing the Tampa, Fla. area where the convention will be held. According to Walker, Gov. Bob McDonnell from the Commonwealth of Virginia will be speaking, Tuesday night. “I think what that is saying is, ‘[Republicans] like what Virginia is doing politically as a state,’” Walker said. “We don’t have a high unemployment rate, [we have] good business growth, a good economy.” The importance of this election, according to Walker, is great. “Part of my goal…is to communicate a message that represents Virginia and the values we all hold dear here, our freedom and our liberty,” Walker said. Shortly after the Republican convention is finished, the Democratic convention will be held, Sept. 3, according to the convention’s website. While these conventions are in session,
and after they are finished, students have the opportunity to register to vote and cast their ballot for the 2012 general elections, which take place Nov. 6. “We have a very unique and blessed opportunity for our voice to be heard,” Dean of Students at Liberty University Keith Anderson said. “I’ve been around the world, and I’ve seen places where you didn’t have that capability and democracy was something that was cherished.” According to Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr., since the Virginia Electoral Board was under pressure to change the rules of voting registration from the Obama campaign in 2008, Liberty has been encouraging its students to vote locally in Lynchburg. “In 2008-10, Liberty students voted in huge numbers, so huge that more than one local election was decided by Liberty student voters,” Falwell said. “It is my prayer that students will continue to exercise their rights to vote here at Liberty. This university and its students can benefit in so many ways if our students vote locally.” According to the City of Lynchburg’s website, to be able to vote in the state of Virginia, one must first register with the local city registrar and fill out the Virginia Voter Registration Application Form correctly by Oct. 15 in order for their vote to count. To register to vote, students should pick up a form from the City of Lynchburg’s Registrar’s Office on 3236 Odd Fellows Road, or look for the voter registration booths around DeMoss Hall at Liberty. In addition, Resident Assistants and professors will distribute voter registration forms at hall meetings and in class. “It is important that Liberty University students not only vote but that they register and vote here in Lynchburg for a variety of reasons that are important for the future of this university,” Falwell said. CASSIDY is the editor in chief. SIR is a sports reporter.
EACHO is the asst. news editor.
Vigil held for students Isaac Eder ieder@liberty.edu Tyler Eacho tpeacho@liberty.edu
A memorial service was held on the steps of DeMoss Hall Thursday night, Aug. 23, for three Liberty University students who lost their lives over the summer. Alexandra Velarde, 23, and her brother, Christian Velasquez, 19, died in a house fire over the summer. Awyetu “Hope” Wasa, 16, also lost her life over the summer. Wasa died on June 3 in a tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of 153 people. She was planning on attending Liberty this semester to study computer engineering. Carolyn Marcelo, a 23-year-old Liberty alumnus, delivered a
eulogy for the siblings. “I’m an only child, so she was my first friend, my best friend, my sister. If there was someone I could always count on to be there for me, it was always her,” Marcelo said. “When her brother Chris was born, Alex had someone new to pick on, with lots of love, of course.” Marcelo went on to describe the similar personalities that the siblings shared. “They were two of the kindest and friendliest people a person could ever meet. The type of people you could just tell anything to and knew that they would just understand what you were going through. Even after everything, I see how God was just always still there,” she said.
Marcelo closed the eulogy by describing her last interaction with the siblings. “The Monday before everything happened, a bunch of us went out to celebrate [our] friends’ birthdays. When we arrived at my house, I don’t know why I thought it, but I wanted to say ‘I’ll see you on Wednesday,’ but the words that came out were, ‘Love you guys, I’ll see you soon.’ I don’t know why this had to happen, and I may never understand it, but all I need to know is that God’s still in control. They are in heaven, with no more pain.” she said. EDER is a news reporter. EACHO is the asst. news editor.
Ruth Bibby| Liberty Champion
ALL HANDS — Simpson and his trainer hike to the top of Liberty’s monogram.
SIMPSON continued from A1 obstacle all their own. His body cried in agony as he strained to reach the peak raved about by locals. Conquering Sharp Top is satisfying for any individual. For Mark, it was a 360-degree reminder that God can bring him through any circumstance. “Being able to make it to the top was the most amazing thing,” he said. With a breathtaking view before him and a breathless climb behind him, Mark
was reminded that God is his only source of strength. As Mark’s cornerstone, God led him through his trials and prepared him to use the pain he suffered to further God’s kingdom. “Anything you want to do is going to be a challenge. It’s how you meet that challenge that will make the difference,” he said. Recognized by local news for his courageous climb, Mark grasped the spotlight in order to reflect it back onto His savior. Making the daily choice to place God first in his life
enabled Mark to look past any limitations this life may bring in order to focus solely on the impact his testimony may have on others. “My friend used to tell me if you want to reach the mountaintop, you have to go through the valley,” Mark said. This champion for Christ has learned that neither his body nor any other obstacle is ever too much when God is leading his life. WARRENDER is a news reporter.
SPORTS
AUGUST 28, 2012
Thomas repeats as coach of the year Jonathan Pearson jwpearson@liberty.edu
Gabe Hernandez| Office of Promotional Publications
BREAKAWAY — A women’s hockey team player slices past her opponent as she prepares for a shot on the net.
Lady Flames torch Hawks Courtney Sharp csharp2@liberty.edu
Liberty’s division one women’s hockey team took to the freshly-repainted ice in the LaHaye Ice Center Aug. 25 for their season opener against Hamilton, defeating the Hawks 5-2. The women fought hard in the first period, but dropped to a twogoal deficit within the first 10 minutes. The first goal for the Liberty Flames came with 10:11 remaining on the clock, and the team began to rally. By the end of the first period, the Lady Flames were down 2-1. The Lady Flames were on the attack at the beginning of the second period, which began with a
power play in Liberty’s favor. The women continued playing consistently, but missed the opportunity to tie up the game. Amidst the onslaught of shots, Liberty’s freshman goalie Kristina Toppazzini held her own. She did not give up any more goals, despite taking a beating in the net. With 6:15 remaining on the clock in the second period, Lady Flames senior Carly Peleshok tied the game 2-2. The forecast was wet and cold outside and spirits were low, but the Flames lived up to their namesake. As the clock ticked down, Liberty rose to the challenge. With a mere 1:48 remaining on the clock, Peleshok struck again and leaped on the breakaway opportunity, scor-
ing her second goal of the game and pushing the Flames lead to 3-2 at the end of the second period. At the beginning of the third period, the Lady Flames won the puck drop, an early-indicator of the success to follow. Within a minute and a half, the Lady Flames pushed another puck through the unsuspecting Hamilton goalie to take a commanding 4-2 lead. Liberty’s fifth and final goal occurred in the last minute of the third period. Liberty leaped on the opportunity afforded to them in a faceoff to widen their lead to three goals, making the score 5-2.
SHARP is a sports writer.
Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
INEFFICIENT — Liberty had 11 shots on goal but was not able to score any goals against N.C. State.
Wolfpack douses Flames Liberty loses home opener 2-0 to N.C. State in front of near-record crowd Jay Sir ysir@liberty.edu
Spectators filled all of the seats in the Osborne stadium and the grass fields next to the bleachers. According to libertyflames.com, 1,783 filled the stands, the third largest crowd ever at Osborne stadium. The bleachers were painted red with students wearing red shirts and blowing vuvuzelas. Unfortunately for the fans, North Carolina State University defeated Liberty Flames 2-0 in their first game of the season, Aug. 24. The match began with both teams
playing defensively. Though an overhead kick-on goal by Liberty’s Sachem Wilson and a shot on goal by NC State’s Nazam Albadawi would keep the crowd entertained, both team’s defenses prevented any scoring from either side. Liberty was the first to show a lapse in concentration in the final minute of the first half as a poor attempt to clear the ball backwards saw NC State’s Albadawi pick up the ball and drive it past Liberty’s goalkeeper, Sam Chappell, to make the game 1-0. “We miscommunicated on that play right before half time,” Alder said. “We
didn’t clear it hard enough. Our keeper comes out and swings, and they just got a toe on it. I really thought it should have been just 0-0 at half time.” The second half saw the Flames pressuring the Wolfpack in hopes of evening up the score, but Liberty found themselves even further behind. At the 72nd minute, NC State’s Alex Martinez lured Liberty’s Chappell out of his goal and crossed the ball to Monbo Bokar, who brought the score to 2-0. Liberty tried to score a consolation goal in the 80th
See SOCCER, B3
Another great year is in the books for the Liberty University golf team, and for the second year in a row, coach Jeff Thomas took home the Virginia Collegiate Golf Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year award. He was also one of six finalists for the Dave Williams Award, the NCAA’s top honor for a men’s golf coach. Thomas has been with the Flames for seven years and is a former player THOMAS and graduate of Liberty. Last season, he led the Flames in three back-to-back titles, including the Big South Men’s Golf Championship title. “It was nice to be nominated as a finalist for National Coach of the Year,” Thomas said. “It was also nice to be nominated as National Southeastern Coach of the Year.” Thomas attributes his players as the reason for his success as a coach. “I think our biggest thing is getting good players to come to Liberty that like what Liberty is about and getting players to get sold into what Liberty is trying to accomplish and for what the golf team is trying to do,” Thomas said. “The most exciting part of coaching is getting to work with the players every day, being able to spend time with them and watch them to develop as players and men,” Thomas said. “For the program, this award speaks well of our guys, that they’re going in the right direction and playing well,” Thomas said. “Obviously, you don’t get nominated for the award if the guys aren’t playing well, so it’s great that people are recognizing that.” “This year, we will just be better than what we were last year, as far as each individual player,” Thomas said. “We want to go out and play hard and see what happens. We have got a really good team and returned four of our five starters that went to nationals last year and won regionals. We’ve got a lot of really good players and hopefully they can stay focused. We would like to make it back to the NCAA Finals again this year and win another Big South Championship. We’ll just see what happens from there.” Thomas also said that Liberty has a lot of really good coaches who talk a lot, so he picks people’s brains just to see what they know. He would like to see how we can improve, so he passes ideas and takes advice from the coaches. The players that Thomas works with on a daily basis are really proud of their coach. To them, he is more of a friend than an instructor. Senior Max McKay in particular is thankful to have a coach like Thomas. “You can’t beat having one of the best coaches in the NCAA,” McKay said. “He guides our practice and our development. A lot of the improvement that has been seen in our program over the past three years can be attributed to the coach.” “Coach has times where he’s relaxed, but there are also certain times where he will get up and kick you in the butt if he needs to,” McKay said. “He’s not afraid to get up in someone’s face and tell them that you need to get at it. That’s definitely one of his qualities that are beneficial to the team.” Pearson is a sports writer.
SPORTS
B2/Liberty Champion
August 28, 2012
Editorial:
Referee lockout hurts everyone Olivia Witherite ogwitherite@liberty.edu
While the song isn’t used anymore in the NFL, chances are if you ever watched a football game growing up, you heard Hank Williams Jr. belt out, “Are you ready for some football?” But, for the first time in my lifetime, the answer to the question is, “No.” Honestly, this season scares me. In case you haven’t noticed, there has been somewhat subpar refereeing this sea- WITHERITE son due to replacement referees. The NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell have yet to reach an agreement with their referee crew, forcing the use of replacement referees for preseason games. Although the NFL offered a new deal with the refereeing union, the two parties were not able to reach a collective bargaining agreement. Hence, we have a lockout. Now, replacement referees have been called up from colleges and high schools for preseason games. With the start of the regular season less than two weeks away, the question arises of whether the replacement referees will continue into the regular season or if the labor disputes will be resolved before kickoff. While the replacements have been somewhat trained, they have not undergone the rigorous preparation that the NFL referees have, and they are often pulled from college, where rules vary. “We want to make sure we’re getting the best calls and getting the best referees we can get on each and every game,” Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz said to ESPN. “I actually heard one of the refs only reffed glorified high school games…. And I don’t even know what that means, essentially. I just want to make sure we’re getting the best guys out there reffing these games.” From botching coin tosses to missing calls, the replacements (among them the first woman referee in NFL history) have negatively affected games. Beyond that, they leave many wondering how the regular season will look if an agreement is not reached. For many fans, myself included, the preseason is somewhat of a joke. Obviously, the results do not count. Congratulations on your third-string team beating that other third-string team. But I digress, because this year, more than ever, preseason might count. Unfortunately, it might count for the wrong reasons. Last year, NFL referee Undrey Walsh noticed that Giants running back D.J. Ware had a concussion. Upon coming to this realization, he made Ware leave the game and helped him off the field. As an NFL referee, one must undergo extensive training to recognize such symptoms. In a league that is infamous for concussions and other injuries, no one but the best referees should be utilized—not just for the integrity of the game, but for the safety of the players that millions watch each week. According to Goodell, even if the plan was changed almost immediately, the normal NFL referees would need roughly 10 days to train and be ready to officiate, as originally reported by the Associated Press. If the time comes for a regular season with replacements, fans, players and coaches should be worried. Like every lockout before, this one is likely to come to an end. However, with the regular season so close, you have to question the NFL’s intentions. It all comes down to money, but holding out to pay the amount the NFL wishes is not worth the health risks. Goodell says he’s ready for the regular season to start with the replacements. But, if referees are so unlikely to even call the game correctly, how will they have the talent and the instinct to notice the big problems, as Walsh did a year ago? Is Goodell ready for the possible repercussions that will manifest themselves in the form of injuries and harm to players? Like every other question I’ve asked, the answer is simply, “No.” WITHERITE is a sports reporter.
Creative Commons
CAUGHT — In the midst of his greatest season ever, Melky Cabrera is the latest player to admit using banned substances.
Editorial: Derrick Battle
Is the recent MLB policy enough?
dbattle2@liberty.edu
Major League Baseball (MLB) has made large strides to reduce the use of steroids, enforcing stricter rules that make players think t w i c e . H o w e v e r, MLB players still find it necessary to use banned substances. BATTLE According to baseballsteriodsera.com, nine players have been suspended for their use of a banned substance since 2008. This season, four additional players have also been suspended. While the percentages of players that used banned substances decreased from the
past decade, it is clear that the steroid era is still plaguing the MLB. The recent suspensions surrounding San Francisco Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera and Oakland Athletics pitcher Bartolo Colon have sparked debate whether the MLB should strengthen suspensions for substance abusers. The current MLB policy on banned substances is 50 games for first-time offenders, 100 games for second-time offenders and a lifetime ban for third-time offenders. The MLB should increase the amount of games missed for first- and second-time offenders that may harm the player’s season. In the National Football League, first-time offenders are suspended for a quarter of the season (four games) and one year for second-time offenders. Baseball should also follow suit.
Before his suspension, Cabrera had already won the MVP of the 83rd MLB AllStar game and was primed to win the National League batting title. But after being caught and admitting to his use of a banned substance, Cabrera went an extra step and attempted to create a fake website with an associate. Cabrera claimed that he was sold the substance through the website, which would help him challenge the 50-game suspension. However, forensic teams traced the website to Cabrera and his associate. Cabrera’s associate has since been banned from all ballparks in the MLB. Colon, a former American League CY Young player of the year, tested positive for a banned substance Aug. 22, one week after Cabrera. After a mediocre 2011 season with the New York Yankees, Colon
signed a contract with the Athletics. He was instrumental to their pitching staff, having a 10-9 record, and led the Athletics with a 3.43 earned run average (ERA). The MLB has made reaches that impact players, but baseball analysts believe that missing a third of a season (50 games of 162) is still not enough to create fear in the heart of substance abusers. Cabrera, who was suspended Aug. 15, may still come back and play before the beginning of playoffs. MLB commissioner Bud Selig has recently done a great job in enforcing the policy of steroids. Given the tarnished legacy of baseball and steroids from the past, Selig still has a ways to go. BATTLE is the asst. sports editor.
Sarah Nguyen| Liberty Champion
UPGRADES — Construction has begun on a new basketball facility, as well as for golf courses and many other athletic facilities.
New facilities in the works for athletics Ashley Thomas athomas21@liberty.edu
Liberty University has been blessed with all the new sports facilities that are underway. Athletic director Jeff Barber has said to expect the new Worthington baseball stadium to be completed in February 2013. In addition to the stadium, the MatthesHopkins track and field used by students, community, faculty and staff, will be renovated. Furthermore, due to the demolition of the Schilling Center, a new basketball practice facility is being built behind the Vines Center. But Liberty has even more upgrades in the works. “We also have one that’s probably not on the radar screen by most people,” Barber said. “We’ve had several donors step up and we are building a new golf clubhouse up on the mountain on Lone Jack Road
near the Equestrian Center. We’ve had four donors step up and donate money, and we are building a new range and a new clubhouse area for the guys to practice.” The grass is already down on the fairways for the range, but construction on the clubhouse has not yet begun. However, Barber said he hopes it will be finished in the spring. All the new renovations to come have been created with the students’ concerns in mind. “The athletes are blown away and just so excited, and they’re here to do things for the Lord and be a testimony and help build a Christian university,” Barber said. “Liberty wants student athletes to know that they really do care about them,” Barber said. “When they come in, they will see the athletic facilities, and we will be able to attract a higher caliber player, which then makes us have more success and quality.” With the success that higher calibers
could bring, come the spoils. “ESPN has already reached out to Liberty about coming to do a game here in our stadium, and they really want to come here because they have heard about what a great stadium it is and the changes to come,” Barber said. Also in progress is an attempt to move the football program to an 85-scholarship level. For that type of upgrade, Liberty needs a better football stadium to garner an invitation from a bigger conference. Liberty is in the Big South Conference currently, and although there is no way to predict the future, all of these projects are a part of Liberty becoming a more viable candidate to move into another conference.
THOMAS is a sports writer.
SPORTS
August 28, 2012
Liberty Champion/B3
# s h a k e N b a k e To Wa k e
Liberty VS Wake Forest - September 1, 2012 ting significant playing time. One such player is walk-on wide receiver Jaquan Glover, who Gill said has been impressive throughout the off-season. Defensively, Liberty’s line is led by 2012 Samkon Gado Award-winner Bryant Lewellyn, who was named one of the four team captains. The other team captain on defense is Kevin Fogg. As a defensive back, Fogg flashed his ball skills last year, intercepting two passes against Robert Morris. He also showed himself to be one of the nation’s premiere special teamers, leading the country with a 33.5 yard kickoff return average.
Kyle Harvey kharvey@liberty.edu
Liberty University kicks off the 2012 football season Sept. 1 in Winston-Salem, N.C., against the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest University. With this in mind, below are some talking points for week one. FBS Opponents This season marks the 15th consecutive season that the Flames will square off against at least one FBS opponent. Although there may not be many wins to date, each contest against a larger foe brings needed name recognition for a program with big plans for the future. “I think people are maybe not quite as aware of Liberty University, so when you play an FBS school and then you’re able to get a victory, it brings national exposure,” head coach Turner Gill said. “That would help us in a lot of ways.” The Flames most recent win over an FBS team was in 2010 when Liberty defeated Ball State from the Mid-American conference, 27-23. Last year, Liberty also began the season in North Carolina against Wake Forest’s ACC rival North Carolina State, losing 43-21. Wake Forest The last meeting between Liberty and Wake Forest was in 2006, with Wake Forest winning 34-14. Wake Forest went on to win the Atlantic Coast Conference with an 11-3 record, securing a trip to the Orange Bowl, where they lost 24-13 to No. 5 Louisville. In 2011, Wake Forest finished 6-7, but managed
Office of Promotional Publications
a 5-3 record within the ACC. The record was good enough for second in the Atlantic division and earned them a berth in the Music City Bowl, where they lost 23-17 to Mississippi State. The team hopes to continue its journey back to national prominence in 2012. However, they will have to do it with an almost entirely new offense. Quarterback Tanner Price (3,017 yards, 20 TDs in 2011) returns, although he will be missing his top target from 2011 Chris Givens, who was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in April. Price is one of only three returning starters on offense. Liberty’s QB Speaking of quarterbacks, Gill has yet to name his starter for 2012. Talking with Gill after practice Aug. 24, he seemed ready to wait until the team arrived at Winston-Salem to make his decision public. “We may not make an announcement until maybe right
Liberty Champion
before the game,” Gill said. “We’ll try to use that as an advantage for us, as far as the opponent trying to know who we are going to be playing and knowing the strengths and the weaknesses of that particular person that we may be starting.” The leading candidate for the job is most likely junior Brian Hudson of Stafford, Va. Hudson played in three games in 2011, shining in mop-up duty, throwing two touchdowns against Kentucky Wesleyan. Certainly not far behind in the race is redshirt-freshman Josh Woodrum from Cave Springs High School in Roanoke, Va. Woodrum became known as a dual threat runner and thrower throughout high school. Despite the mystery surrounding the signal caller, Gill said that the quarterback will not impact the way the rest of the team prepares. “I think it shows the strength of our football team, being able to have two quality quarterbacks that we believe are very
Shake N Bake to Wake
good football players,” Gill said. “Whoever that quarterback is, if each person does his job, then we are going to be successful.”
Students and fans looking to attend the Sept. 1 game in Winston-Salem can join the Shake N Bake to Wake caravan and be a part of the sea of red hitting the Wake Forest campus. For a charge of $5 per vehicle, participants receive a gift bag which includes: T-shirts for all travelers, a car flag, travel CD, rally towels, pom-poms, directions and food coupons. The $5 fee is waived for all Flames Club members. The caravan will meet at Doc’s Diner at 1:15 p.m. for a 2 p.m. departure. Game tickets are available in the Liberty University ticket office for $30, and parking is $8. To register your vehicle, send an email to dcadams3@liberty.edu that includes your driver name, the name of the Flames Club member (include whether it is an adult, student, or kids club membership) and the T-shirt sizes of everyone in your party.
Liberty’s surrounding cast Whichever man winds up behind center, he can count on senior wide receiver and captain Pat Kelly to help him move the chains. Kelly, coming off another solid season in which he finished second on the team in receptions (40), receiving yards (591) and touchdowns (3), appears to be fully recovered from a nagging hamstring injury that limited him throughout this year. “I’m good to go. The biggest thing was that I was just getting tired during practice,” Kelly said. “It’s just getting my wind back, and now that I’m finally back in the swing of things…I’m doing great, body’s feeling well, so I can’t wait.” In addition to Kelly, Gill hinted at the possibility of some younger players get-
HARVEY is the sports editor.
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Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
STRUGGLE — Freshman forward Blessing Tahuona fights for control of the ball.
SOCCER continued from B1 minute, when Liberty’s Wilson hit the crossbar from a long-range shot, but the Flames did not manage to score for the remainder of the game. Despite the loss, the Liberty men’s soccer team’s head coach Jeff Alder was positive about his team’s performance. “I thought we outplayed them, and I thought overall we’re in great shape,” Alder said. “NC State is great defensively, very organized, very opportunis-
tic and it’s a well-coached team, but I thought we matched them. I don’t think the fans that showed up tonight saw a big difference between the two teams. We just made two mistakes.” Coach Alder was also pleased with the reaction of the fans who came to the match. “They were great support for us,” Alder said. “I mean, you talk about the 12th man and they were energetic. They brought a lot of enthusiasm. I’m just disappointed that we weren’t able to get a tie
out of this game, or maybe a win.” Talking about the Liberty men’s soccer team’s hopes and expectations for the season, Alder also said that they are aiming to win championships in the Big South and use soccer as a platform to share the gospel with others. Liberty University men’s soccer team will be travelling to Farmville, Va., to compete against Longwood University on Sept 1. SIR is a sports writer.
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SPORTS
B4/Liberty Champion
August 28, 2012
Ruth Bibby| Liberty Champion
PRIMED — With the core of his lineup returning along with several new additions, coach Shane Pinder looks to build on last year’s Big South Championship.
Lady Flames return to defend title Preseason Player of the Year Loren Thomas leads a talented and experienced attack this season Courtney Tyree cntyree@liberty.edu
As reigning Big South Champions, Lady Flames Volleyball and head coach Shane Pinder are back and ready for another great season. According to Pinder, the Lady Flames have a lot of new talent on the court this year along with several returning starters. He explained that there could possibly be multiple lineups throughout the season due to the amount of talent on the team. Pinder explained how they have seven new freshman in the
lineup and are working together to integrate and learn how to play with each other out on the court. Big South Preseason Player of the Year Loren Thomas is back in action as the Lady Flames middle blocker. Thomas has one of the biggest verticals in the league, and Pinder is looking to her as a leader this season, he said. First Team All-Conference player Lillie Happel is another one to keep eyes on this season. She is a returning outside hitter for the Lady Flames. Happel dominated last year with
396 kills. Happel is alongside Thomas on the Preseason AllBig South team. Returning this year is Second Team All-Conference setter Jade Craycraft. Pinder described Craycraft as a “very talented setter.� Also returning this season is middle blocker Kendle Rollins. Alongside Rollins are defensive specialists Gabrielle Shipe and Becca Haraf. There is a lot of experience on the court this season as opposed to last season, Pinder said. Pinder wants to hold to the vision of the late Jerry Falwell
and the idea that the athletics program should come under the umbrella of training champions for Christ. “These kids are here for the right reasons and are great fits here at Liberty,� Pinder said. “Their journey with Christ is as big of a part as the championships and the wins accumulated.� According to libertyflames. com, the Lady Flames were awarded the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award for the second year in a row. The award is given to a team with a cumulative
grade-point-average of at least a 3.30. The Lady Flames surpassed that with a 3.42 GPA for the 2011-12 academic year. The Lady Flames have been voted to win the Big South Championship for this season and are hoping to make that become reality over the next several months. “We got a lot of good things happening,� Pinder said. The Flames volleyball team has its home season opener at the Vines Center on Aug. 28 against William and Mary. TYREE is a sports writer.
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August 28, 2012
FEATURE
Liberty Champion/B5
Greg Leasure | Liberty Champion
THE OL’ BALLGAME — Hillcats batter Michael Spina prepares for the pitch as fans and Liberty University students enjoy a night at Lynchburg’s City Stadium.
Liberty students flock to Hillcats game The Lynchburg Hillcats offered minor league baseball at discounted rates to Liberty students Thursday night Greg Leasure gleasure@liberty.edu
Baseball fans, Liberty University students and lovers of cheap entertainment all had one place to be Thursday, Aug. 23. That place was Lynchburg’s City Stadium, site of the Lynchburg Hillcats biannual Liberty University night. The Hillcats, a minor league baseball affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, have collaborated with Liberty ever since the early 1990s to bring cheap, and sometimes free, baseball to students a few times each year. “Liberty has been the longest-running college night that we’ve had,” Hillcats Assistant General Manager Ronnie Roberts said. “The first Liberty night we had this year in the spring, Liberty sponsored the fireworks, so all students got in free that night. This one is a little bit different. We’re tying it in with the other college nights.” This particular promotion allowed Lib-
erty students through the gates for only $2 with their student ID. Non-Liberty students wearing Flames apparel were admitted for $4, half of the original ticket price. Always stirring up the rivalries, the Hillcats have also held college nights to recognize Longwood University, Lynchburg College, Randolph College, Sweetbriar College, University of Virginia and West Virginia University. Brian Hicks, a senior at Liberty majoring in sports management, spent his summer as a stadium operations intern for the Hillcats. The highlight of his night was being chosen to throw out the first pitch for his school’s night in the stadium. “I think it’s a good promotion,” Hicks said. “It gets Liberty students off campus and out here. We get them interested in Hillcats baseball, and they get a good discount on tickets.” As Assistant General Manager, Roberts knows that nights like these are a great
way to reach out and let people know that Hillcats baseball is the place to be on summer and fall nights. “We’re always looking for ways to get as many people into the park as we can,” Roberts said. “The days of just opening the gates and hoping that pure baseball fans come to see a baseball game are long gone for most minor league teams. You have to go out into the community and make it attractive for the folks to come see a game and maybe come back on another night.” Roberts has experienced almost every type of enjoyment that minor league baseball has to offer during his 22 years in his position, and part of his job is to find ways to get people interested in Hillcats baseball. For the most part, it looks like he has succeeded. At least that is what Facebook says. Despite playing in the smallest market of the eight Carolina League teams, the Hillcats have the most Facebook
friends of them all. That allows them to better spread the word when promotions like Liberty night are happening. The action on the field was every bit as good as the admission price Thursday night. The Hillcats defeated the visiting Winston-Salem Dash by a score of 8-2. As the game wrapped up, Hicks shared why he enjoys these types of college promotion nights. “I think doing this is a good call,” Hicks said. “I like doing them all in a row. You can just see the different cultures of the different schools, and they all get to interact.” Opponents and game times are still to be determined, but the Hillcats now look forward to pursuing a Carolina League championship when the playoffs begin Sept. 5.
LEASURE is the feature editor.
FEATURE
B6/Liberty Champion
August 28, 2012
What you missed over summer Liberty students who did not stay in Lynchburg over vacation missed many renovations, new business openings and pesky construction
Construction Greg Leasure gleasure@liberty.edu
RUTH BIBBY
Bloop Melissa Terry mterry3@liberty.edu
Bloop Frozen Yogurt has done it again, opening its new location on Wards Road, next to the new Chipotle. Many Liberty University students enjoy spending time at the local frozen yogurt shop. “I love the atmosphere at Bloop,” Liberty University senior Ericka Fuller said. “It’s the perfect place to hang out with friends or to take your prayer group on Tuesday nights.” Bloop offers a variety of flavors and toppings to choose from. They also give customers the chance to make their frozen
The campus of Liberty University looks quite different this fall than it did in the spring. Construction projects designed to improve academic buildings, athletic facilities and much more are taking shape all across campus. According to Charles Spence of the Office of the Chancellor, among the projects worked on over the summer were new East Campus intramural fields, a new East Campus parking lot, the rooftop terrace at DeMoss Hall, a new Vines Center practice facility, a new track surface and field improvements, and many more projects. “The number one challenge is to keep
the construction from causing a problem for the university so that they can educate the students in a manner that meets their needs and expectations,” Spence said. “Construction does cause a lot of inconvenience in a lot of areas, but hopefully at the end of it all we will turn over facilities that will enhance the education process.” Dates of completion differ from job to job, but the goal remains the same: to make Liberty University a better place for students.
LEASURE is the feature editor.
yogurt unique every time. “What sets Bloop apart from all of the other frozen yogurt places in Lynchburg is the fact that we serve better yogurt,” cocreator Daryl Calfee said. “Our product is superior in that it is a handmade product. If you pick strawberry yogurt, it’s going to have real strawberries.” An added bonus is that every time you purchase a cup of frozen yogurt from Bloop, it provides a cup of clean drinking water for a third-world nation through their A Cup 4 a Cup initiative. Terry is a news reporter.
JILLIAN SPRINGER
Chipotle Melanie Oelrich moelrich@liberty.edu
MELANIE OELRICH
Liberty University students and locals alike have flocked to Wards Road for the grand opening of the newest addition to the restaurant chain: Chipotle. The long-anticipated eatery had been in the works for quite some time, but news of its coming traveled like wildfire before the construction of the structure ever started. Chipotle’s menu is similar to most Mexican grill menus. However, according to the company’s official statement, what makes Chipotle stand out is their antibiotic, hormone-free and naturally-grown meat.
“I am so excited they finally put a Chipotle in town,” Liberty University senior Sandi Owens said. “I have been waiting for this moment since freshman year, and I have been there twice since this semester started.” Michal Ann Buntain, a resident here in Lynchburg, conveyed that the lines out of the door and around the restaurant are worth it. “I have been to Chipotle and I had to wait for over 30 minutes to get my food, but it was well worth the wait. Ever since the students have been back, it has gotten a lot busier, but I feel like it will calm down like Cookout did,” she said. Oelrich is the news editor.
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FEATURE
August 28, 2012
Liberty Champion/B7
Greg Leasure | Liberty Champion
SCALING THE WALL — Rise Up Climbing takes indoor climbing to new heights, providing a place for Lynchburg residents and students to work on their skills.
Rise Up continues to challenge climbers Jeremy Beale jbeale3@liberty.edu
Students are always looking for new places to explore and experience around Lynchburg, and for those interested in rock climbing, Rise Up Climbing has become one of the places to be. Scaling the indoor cliffs of Central Virginia, it has been four years since rock climbing facility Rise Up Climbing burst into Lynchburg’s social scene. Striving to maintain the family-like atmosphere, the owner and employees are setting up an array of paths, scheduling events and offering lessons to
all who come to the establishment. “I have been in this business for 20 years,” owner Dan Hague said. Dedicated to his job, Hague attempts to create a climbing lifestyle with his business. Through his employees, mentality and many years of experience, he has created a challenging rock climbing center that leaves his customers coming back for more. The 40-foot wall is designed to challenge the climber in an intense but rewarding mix of technique, strength and wit. However, not everyone who steps foot into the facility may have a background in climbing.
In roughly 30 minutes, you can walk right in, and the owner and his employees can take you through a basic skills lesson that teaches the fundamental techniques of climbing. “Rise Up Climbing is a great place to start climbing,” Danielle Kologe, a Rise Up Climbing Facebook follower, said. “Everyone is very nice and helpful. It is the best place to spend the day, especially in this heat.” Although the winter is Rise Up Climbing’s prime business period, the summer attracts a lot of students looking to create a brand-new experience. According to Hague, it is a
community that encourages its customers to challenge themselves, climbing higher each time they come back. “It is an art,” Hague said. Each stone in every path is set by one of the climbers on staff. The wall ranges in difficulty from easy to very difficult. With each path custom-set every week, a new challenge is presented each time a client comes into the facility. Hague says that this maintains the excitement and other sensations that come with solving the puzzle and reaching the top of the wall. Offering affordable prices, Rise Up Climbing ensures that
anyone looking to climb or learn to do so will enjoy it. For students, the business offers single month prepaid memberships for $60, full year memberships for $440 and $13 onetime visits. Discount rates are also offered Monday nights to college students. Rise Up, located at 1225 Church St. in Lynchburg, Va., is an experience in itself. Appealing to the students need to excite and challenge themselves, Rise Up Climbing is the pastime students are looking for to fill that empty space in their schedule. BEALE is a feature writer.
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JARS OF CLAY FEATURING
S H AN E & S H AN E
FRIDAY, SEPT. 21
THOMAS ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH | 7:30 P.M.
TICKETS
LIBERTY STUDENTS: $7 ADV | GENERAL PUBLIC: $10 ADV
FOR TICKET INFORMATION CALL (434) 582-SEAT OR PURCHASE ONLINE AT LIBERTY.EDU/SA FOR MORE INFORMATION EMAIL STUDENTACTIVITIESINFO@LIBERTY.EDU OR CALL (434) 592-3061
FEATURE
AUGUST 28, 2012
All Photos By Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion
BELTING — Lead vocals Matt Thiessen takes the microphone as his band, Relient K, performs at Liberty’s annual block party Saturday night.
Relient K and House of Heroes perform Liberty students’ spirits were still high at the annual block party as rain drenched everyone in attendance
Tabitha Cassidy tcassidy@liberty.edu
Shelanne Jennings snjennings@liberty.edu
The down-pouring rain did not wash the throngs of drenched Liberty University students away as fans of Relient K and House of Heroes inched towards the stage at Liberty’s annual block party, Saturday, Aug. 25. Ferris wheels, carnival rides and free air-brushed tattoos were among some of the options students enjoyed as they waited for their favorite bands to take the stage. Patrick Spencer, a junior at Liberty, said that despite the rain, he was excited to see a free concert from the band he has been a fan of since elementary school. “I’ve never seen them live, so I think it’ll be pretty cool,” Spencer said before the event. As the students prepared to hear the Relient K and House of Heroes set list, Jon Schneck, guitar player and backup vocals for Relient K, sat down with the Liberty media to answer a few questions. Schneck, who is attending Liberty University Online (LUO), said that after going through all of his options for attending college, his decision to attend Liberty appeared easy. “It just seemed like a good fit,” Schneck said. “My dad is a Baptist preacher. He was really excited that I was going to come here. You know, it just sort of made sense.” Majoring in business, Schneck is preparing for whatever life holds, including life after Relient K. Although he does not know what specialization to take yet, he said he feels that Liberty will help him achieve his goals. “I don’t really know what I’m going to do, or what I want to do. I’m trying to figure that out as I go along,” Schneck said. “[I’d like to do] something fun that pays well.” Life on the road makes getting an education hard, Schneck said, but LUO’s online education options makes taking courses easy. “There’s so little to do other than play our show, which lasts about an hour a day, so there’s
plenty of [spare] time on the road,” Schneck said. “I can spend the rest of [the time] studying.” Preparing with the band for the block party concert, Schneck did not let the threat of weather rain on his outlook. While Relient K doesn’t have any pre-show traditions or rituals, Schneck said, the band likes to have fun and feed off audience members during their shows. “I like to run around and jump around the stage and act silly [while performing],” Schneck said. Even though Schneck calls himself the “least artistic artist,” his face lit up as he began to speak about performing, his eyes conveying an artist’s passion. “[Performing] has been awesome. Probably the best,” Schneck said. “[It’s] one of those things that you dream about when you’re a kid. Playing music for a living, it doesn’t get much better than that.” The crowds of people that surrounded the block party stage were equally as excited to hear Schneck and his band mates play. A couple inches of rain soaked the feet of fans, but the energy in the crowd never faltered.
TOP — Jon Schneck, Relient K member and Liberty University Online student, speaks to Liberty media outlets. RIGHT — Matt Thiessen, lead vocals for Relient K, sings some of his band’s well-known songs as Liberty students listen in the rain. Liberty’s annual block party is one of many events hosted by Student Activities. For more information about upcoming events and how to be involved, visit their website at liberty.edu/campusrec/studentactivities or call 434-592-3061. For more information about Relient K and their future tour dates, visit their website at relientk.com.
CASSIDY is the editor in chief. JENNINGS is a graduate assistant.