Liberty Champion Nov 17 2015

LIBERTY VS. COASTAL

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Volume 33 | Issue 10 Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Carson comes campaigning

Michela Diddle | Liberty Champion

PRESIDENTIAL — Republican Candidate Ben Carson spoke in Liberty Convocation about veterans, taxes, creation and keeping God in America.

‘Ben’eficial to America Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson visits Liberty University

Quinn Foley qfoley@liberty.edu

The words “Win Ben, Win” were written across banners that students unrolled as they clapped and cheered for Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson Wednesday, Nov. 11.

Students and guests trickled into the Vines Center after passing through an array of metal detectors and security screenings until the Vines Center reached maximum capacity.

Liberty Campus Band started the service by playing two songs with Thomas Road Worship Pastor

Charles Billingsley. Carson was welcomed onto the Convocation stage during the music and sang along with the band.

Senior Vice President for Spiritual Development David Nasser opened the Convocation in prayer, thanking God for Liberty and drawing focus to God.

Convocation continued when Nasser invited President Jerry Falwell to speak. Falwell took the time he had at the podium to thank both Carson and George Rogers, former chief financial officer at Liberty and World War II veteran.

See CANDIDATE, A6

Sharing ideas Meeting allows students to have a voice Ashley Bunner abunner@liberty.edu

Liberty University students had the chance to voice their opinions about on and off-campus concerns during a town hall meeting hosted by Liberty’s Dean of Students Robert Mullen Tuesday, Nov. 10 in DeMoss Hall.

The meeting, which is held once a semester, served as a time for students to speak with administration from a variety of departments in an effort to find solutions to certain campus issues.

Topics discussed during the meeting included sexual assault and tightened security on Liberty’s campus, transit schedules, curfew, recycling and the commonly-asked question of whether double swipes will return to Liberty’s meal plan.

The 10 panelists consisted of representatives from Student Affairs, Liberty University Police Department (LUPD), Transit Services, Sodexo, Office of Student Leadership, Office of Student Conduct, Office of Student Housing and the Center for Multicultural Enrichment.

Student Body President Quincy Thompson gave an overview of issues discussed in the last town hall meeting and the steps taken to resolve former issues.

Topics from the last town hall meeting included restrictions on students watching R-rated movies, which is no longer a rule due to the changes in the Liberty Way. Another subject mentioned was mailbox

security. According to Thompson, many students were concerned other people could easily break into their mailboxes.

Since then, Thompson explained security cameras have been installed in mail kiosks and improvements on locks are being discussed.

During the meeting, one student asked Chief of Police Colonel Richard Hinkley if Liberty has considered installing a Blue Light Alarm System on campus.

A Blue Light Alarm System is a series of emergency alarm stations strategically placed throughout the campus to provide access to assistance for anyone in distress.

By pressing the blue button, a student would be able to get in direct contact with LUPD to notify them of the emergency.

“We’ve looked at Blue Lights … off and on since the 1990s,” Hinkley said. “What we found at other colleges and universities is they are seldom used, and they are used chiefly for a prank.”

Hinkley said most people today have cell phones, and they need to learn how to use it in emergency situations. He suggested having an emergency number ready to use,even if that number is as simple as 911.

“Have that cell phone in your hand, press the button and get to people,” Hinkley said. “The problem (with Blue Light) is if someone is chasing you … or if there is someone after you, (when you go) to a Blue Light, you have to stop and push a

See MEETING, A2

Michela Diddle | Liberty Champion

SACRIFICE — A memorial service was held to honor students who died while serving.

Special service

Night of prayer honors fallen soldiers Lauren Creekmore lcreekmore@liberty.edu

Tables covered in blue cloth displayed picture frames of soldiers who had died that were also former Liberty University students and professors. A rose was placed beside each photo, along with the folded American flag in the front of the frames.

Monday evening, Nov. 9 was a night of remembrance at the Prayer Chapel on Liberty’s campus for the fallen soldiers who have served the nation. The setting was intimate, with about 15 people in attendance to pay their respects and show gratitude for those who have given their lives for the freedoms Americans have today.

Former student Army Major Michael Donahue was remembered Monday evening. He was one of the most recent Liberty students to die in active duty, when he was killed Sept. 16, 2014.

Students such as Paige Hammack came to show their support for not only the soldiers who have died but for service members they know. Hammack’s brother is currently in the Marines.

“I’ve never been to a night of prayer before,” Hammack said. “It really hits home.

It makes me feel like they need to come back home safely. I have so much respect for those in the military.”

INSIDE THE CHAMPION

News

LU Send announces flagship trip dates and locations.

Opinion A2

A student’s opinion on the latest Republican debate.

Sports A4

Mens basketball defeated Covenant in home opener.

Feature B1

A closer look into the campus favorite “Jerry’s Jokers” tradition.

B5

See REMEMBER, A8

News Opinion

A1 A4

Sports Feature

B1 B5

news

A2 | November 17, 2015 | Liberty Champion

Overcoming obstacles Jamie Swyers teaches students how to keep motivated toward fitness goals Taylor Coleman tcoleman64@liberty.edu

Students gathered in the LaHaye Aerobics Room to attend a Wellness Series meeting Nov. 10 as a part of the Live Healthy Liberty initiative.

Students spent 45 minutes learning how to stay motivated to achieve their fitness goals and digging into the root of the goal they hope to attain.

Handouts were distributed at the entrance that allowed the event to be interactive.

Students were given a worksheet to write down their goal, their current plan of action and the obstacles prohibiting them from achieving their goal. The session was led by Jamie Swyers, associate director at the LaHaye Student Union. Swyers said the Wellness Series has been going on since the fall of 2012.

“Participation has grown from 14 attendees in a semester to 220,” Swyers said.

“We have had as many as 77 come to these events, and then sometimes we will have small groups, which is great.

Either way is a good way to connect with people.”

Swyers said motivation is key in working toward a goal.

When she talks to students about working through their obstacles, she finds examining the root of the motivation behind their goal is vital.

“Looking at the science of behavior change and the psychology behind motivation is really, really important,” Swyers said. “I think that is the missing link in a lot of programs and plans.”

The Wellness Series is a program that is “near and dear” to Swyers’ heart due to the fact that she hopes to help others in their personal lives in a welcoming environment they can feel comfortable.

“The Wellness Series is a really important component of ‘Live Healthy Liberty’ because there are not always a lot of opportunities to speak with professionals on wellness and to ask questions in a free, nopressure setting,” Swyers said.

During the event, Swyers explained without a behavioral change or a break in a habit, people cannot fully dedicate themselves

to reaching their goal.

“In my personal experience, I have given a client what I thought was the perfect program with a comprehensive step-by-step progression for them to achieve their goal, but if they were unable to maintain long-term behavior change, they were not successful,” Swyers said. “If I cannot help them change their behavior, I can do nothing for them.”

When trying to tackle a goal, self-talk phrases are crucial in keeping the work up. Swyers listed a number of illogical thoughts people have in life, including labeling themselves as failures and discounting the positives by ignoring their accomplishments.

Once a plan is set into motion, Swyers said being surrounded by a support system will help individuals reach their goal.

The fall 2015 Wellness Series season is wrapping up but will return for the spring semester.

“Our last Wellness Series event will be ‘Kettlebells 101’ on November 19,” Swyers said. “A personal trainer will be talking about using kettlebells safely and effectively. That will be the last for this semester’s

Kallie Britton| Liberty Champion

INITIATIVE — Students learned about the science behind behavior change.

Wellness Series.”

Swyers also said there will be a powerlifting meet Dec. 5. The event will be a competition including the deadlift, squat and bench press. The top three male and female lifters will be awarded prizes.

For more information on Liberty’s wellness initiative, visit liberty.edu/livehealthy.

In order to move past these mind distortions, one must create a SMART plan of action.

Is it Specific?

Is the objective of your goal clearly identified?

Is it Measurable?

Is there a numeric value that can be measured?

Is it Attainable?

Can you succeed in achieving this goal?

Is it Realistic?

Does this goal relate to your skill level?

Is it Time Bound?

COLEMAN is a news reporter.

Does your goal have a deadline?

Spring break adventures

LU Send announces dates and information concerning its first flagship trips Kara Sherrill kesherrill@liberty.edu

“We don’t want to just be going into places and leaving our American footprint,” Student Development Coordinator Weston Martin said. “We want to be sensitive to the cultures around us, but we also want to learn and share different ideas and opinions as well.”

LU Send recently announced its 2016 international flagship trips.

There are four flagship trips students have the opportunity to apply for: Israel, London/Paris, Rome, and Tokyo.

Liberty University’s newly created department, known as LU Send, is the centralized department for student travel, which allows students to combine aca-

Michela Diddle | Liberty Champion

TRAVEL — Flagship trip locations were recently released. demic components, spiritual components and cultural components into an international experience.

Martin said the idea of the flagship trips is to provide students with a holistic international travel experience.

According to Martin, each flagship trip has a different set of academic options students can take.

For example, Israel has nursing options available as well as theology, biblical studies, global studies and Christian and community service.

Students can propose an independent study option, where they fill out an independent study form and modify the syllabus for the specific class they think might coincide with

what they will experience overseas. Departments then either approve or deny the independent study.

All flagship trips will take place over spring break.

The Israel trip will take place March 10-20, and the London/Paris, Rome and Tokyo trips will take place March 10-19.

According to Martin, these cities were chosen because they are culturally rich and also very diverse in opportunities to learn on a holistic level. None of the itineraries are completely set. LU Send staff recently returned from doing site development overseas.

There is no technical deadline for trip applications. The estimated early bird price for the Israel, London/Paris and Rome trips was $3600. The Japan

CAMPUS CALENDAR 11/17 - The Oh Hellos Concert

8 p.m. | LaHaye Event Space 11/17 - Wind Ensemble and University Band Concert

7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | Town Auditorium 11/18 - Faculty Author Series with Dr. Yuri Mantilla

12 p.m. - 1 p.m.| JFL Terrace Conference Room 11/18 - Gillville

8 p.m. | Williams Stadium 11/30 - Christmas in Lights

7 p.m. | DeMoss Hall Steps 12/1 - Scholarship Search 101

7 p.m. | DeMoss Hall 1114 12/3 - Concert: Peter Collins feat. Nacci Palloto

8 p.m. | LaHaye Event Space 12/4 - Movie Night - Elf

8 p.m. and 10 p.m. | LaHaye Event Space 12/5 - Reindeer Run

9 a.m. | Camp Hydaway COLOR KEY:

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trip early bird rate was approximately $3900. However, this date has passed, and the new prices have not been announced.

The trip costs include airfare, lodging, different cultural and ministry opportunities overseas, breakfast and dinner. Lunch is yet to be confirmed.

“The most interesting thing … is being able to combine both the Christian’s heart for sharing the gospel with learning about culture and learning just in general through academics,” Martin said.

So far, the most popular flagship trip in terms of applicants is the Israel trip.

Anywhere from 50-100 students will travel to Israel.

The other three trips are looking to accommodate up to 50 people each.

MEETING continued from A1 button and hope that somebody doesn’t catch you. Whereas with a cell phone, you immediately have that call (and could be) running to a building or to another group of people.”

Another student said there are very few recycling bins around campus, and those on campus seem to be in random places. He pointed out that as the world’s largest Christian university, he feels Liberty should be striving to lead the way in green college campuses in terms of recycling.

“There was a time when we had recycling bins in every hall (on campus), the problem (was) that students weren’t using them correctly,” Director of Student Leadership Dustin DuBose said. “They were throwing trash in (the bins) because they didn’t want to take it all the way to the dumpster.”

DuBose said this became a big problem for Resident Assistants and recycling staff who had to deal with the misuse of the recycling bins. However, DuBose assured students the recycling staff is consistently searching for ways that recycling issues can be improved.

Also discussed in the meeting was the return of double meal swipes for the meal plan.

According to Director of Food

Students interested in either applying for or learning more about the upcoming flagship trips should visit the LU Send website liberty.edu/lusend or email LUsend@liberty.edu.

FYI

In light of the recent terrorist attack in France, the LU Send team will meet together to asssess the situation regarding the London/ Paris trip.

SHERRIL is a news reporter.

Operations Louis Cambeletta, students were able to use double meal swipes in previous years due to a glitch in the Information Technology (IT) system. Once IT resolved that problem, students asked to have the option to use two meal swipes at once again.

“We are working with IT, but for whatever reason, we cannot do double swipes right now,” Cambeletta said. “It’s all about an IT issue. The system will not allow us to put in multiple meal plans. … In order to get double swipes we would have to create another meal plan.”

According to Mullen, administration is taking feedback and input from all students and can see students have been very responsive in following the Liberty Way and the new changes that have been made. However, Mullen said there are always going to be some rules that stay in place that students are required to follow.

“Bottom line is, at the end of the day, because we are a large community, we just have to make some general rules,” Mullen said. “Some of the rules you’re just going to have to go with because that’s where you are in this community at this time.”

If students have specific questions throughout the school year, they can email deanofstudents@ liberty.edu.

BUNNER is a news reporter.

news

Liberty Champion | November 17, 2015 | A3

A taste of the world Liberty hosts International Education Week to let students experience different cultures Cassandra Steptoe cbsteptoe@liberty.edu

Liberty University’s Office of International Student Services (OISS) held its annual International Education Week Nov. 9-13.

Activities included international candy tasting, a multicultural worship night, a cultural talent and fashion show and more.

One of the first activities of the week was the World Wide Worship night, complete with traditional songs and performances by worship and international students. Director of the Multi-Ethnic Music Department, Katherine Morehouse, explained how the event complemented International Education Week.

“When we talk about education, part of it is recalibrating ourselves to what God is wanting us to learn from the people that are around us,” Morehouse said. “It’s not just about learning new songs. It’s about learning what the family of God looks like and what we’re called to be as brothers and sisters in Christ.”

Singing worship songs from countries such as the Congo, India, Greece and more, the performers shared the melodies in both English and their native language. Often involving the audience with the songs, the international students stretched listeners to experience a culture different than their own, Morehouse said.

“In one way, you’re learning how people who are not from here feel when they come here,” Morehouse said. “But another thing is just (learning to love) each other and build that community that says, ‘We care about you, we love you and we value you.’”

In addition to lyrical songs, Liberty’s African drum ensemble demonstrated a call to worship using rhythm and words. The performance was another way the department for ethnomusicology brought different cultures into worship.

“In many areas of West Africa, they are very hesitant to use the drums in worship because they are associated to evil spirits or African traditional religion, so they want to separate themselves from that,” Morehouse said. “But God can take those sounds that mean so much to the heart of the people and create new meaning to them if we

Jessie Rogers | Liberty University News Service

TRADITIONAL — Students had the chance Thursday, Nov. 12 to taste candy from different parts of the world. put them in the context of worshiping the Lord.”

OISS Operations Coordinator Tunya Pannell enjoyed the performances and encouraged students to attend other International Education week activities.

“The International Student Center is for anyone who would like to come and learn more about our international students,” Pannell said. “We want students to come and enjoy and learn about the traditions and the different cultures of our international students. We’re here to increase global awareness (and that) love is universal.”

Because international students are so far from their homes and cultures, they face different challenges than domestic students, according to Pannell. She said OISS offers many services to students such as “cultural and academic counseling, off campus employment issues, student health insurance … and social events” to help

them adjust. International Education Week helped spread awareness of other cultures to those outside the international community in a fun and engaging manner, according to Pannell.

“The International Education Week gave our students the opportunity to share some of their culture and traditions,” Pannell said. “We kicked off with our coffee and tea tasting event, and we had hundreds of students come in and out. The Global Voices event included students from Canada, Mexico, The Bahamas and Democratic Republic of the Congo, students (came) out and (heard) what our international students (had) to say about their countries, this included their traditions, customs, and the special occasions that they celebrate in their country.”

In addition to exposing students to different cultures, Morehouse believed that International Education Week gave stu-

dents a “glimpse of heaven” in regard to the diversity demonstrated.

“We’re stretching ourselves to learn the language of heaven,” Morehouse said.

“We view it as participating ahead of time in what heaven is going to be like.

(The book of) Revelation gives us a picture of every tribe and tongue gathered around the throne of God worshiping and honoring him.”

International Education Week was initiated to highlight the diversity of nations across Liberty’s campus while providing international students with a way to experience a taste of home, Pannell said. Additionally, Pannell hoped International Education Week would help students as well as faculty and staff understand the unity that Christians have, even if they are from all around the world.

STEPTOE is a news reporter.

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OPINION

A4

November 17, 2015

Marco Rubio under fire Attacks on senator from Florida signify his place at the top of GOP primary Austin Eagen aeagen@liberty.edu

When it comes to politics, tact is everything. You need to know when to go on the offensive and when to hold back and fortify yourself. Generally speaking, struggling political candidates are aggressive while successful ones sit back and absorb the blows. If a candidate is being consistently attacked, chances are they are on their way to the top.

Presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio is the GOP’s new favorite punching bag. In the past few weeks, Rubio’s campaign has come under fire from multiple GOP candidates, most notably former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

The barrage of criticism endured by the Rubio campaign has come in several different forms. Candidates have attacked Rubio’s voting record, immigration policy and personal spending habits.

While these criticisms place increased scrutiny on Rubio and his policies, it is unlikely they will revitalize the quickly failing campaigns of Bush or any of the other establishment candidates. The nature of some of the attacks reveals the desperation of faltering candidates.

Bush’s criticism of Rubio’s voting attendance in the Senate during the campaign stretch is particularly reflective of this.

Senators running for the presidency always miss a substantial number of votes, but

Google Images

CANDIDATE — A number of candidates have taken shots at Sen. Marco Rubio.

Bush acts as if this is a new phenomenon.

Attacks of this nature are bad for politics and bad for the Republican primaries. If there was a legitimate issue, this would not be the first time it was brought up. However, now that Rubio is on the path toward the top of the polls, his voting attendance is suddenly of vital concern and importance.

To be fair, some criticisms of Rubio should be taken into consideration. The

GOP’s current leader in the polls, Donald Trump, has raised some interesting concerns about Rubio’s personal spending habits. Trump cited Rubio’s credit history as an example of his fiscal irresponsibility.

Frugality is an important character trait to possess when seeking the presidency of the U.S., a nation with more than $18 trillion in debt. However, this attack, as is true of all political reproaches, should be taken

with a grain of salt.

Rubio dismissed these irresponsibility claims in an interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America,” stating, “I only have one debt in the world, which is my mortgage on the home me and my family live in in Miami.”

Political criticism should never be taken at face value. More often than not, the attacks are steeped hyperbole and factual manipulation. They should always be checked for validity.

The Rubio campaign does not have anything to worry about. These attacks are just a part of the process. They are an initiation into the upper echelons of government.

Trump faced them, as did the other GOP frontrunner Dr. Ben Carson. It is the price you have to pay to reach the top.

And Rubio is on his way to the top.

He has shown in the past few weeks he is the dominant establishment candidate. He has displayed poise and prowess in the GOP debates and has steadily been moving up the polls. Rubio is top dog among establishment candidates.

The real question is whether he will be able to overcome the growing anti-establishment sentiment that has elevated Trump and Carson to their current political stature.

Either way, Rubio’s rise is just beginning.

EAGEN is an opinion writer.

Status quo held in GOP debate Rubio and Cruz continue to look strong in substantive and intelligent debate Lee Sutherland lsutherland6@liberty.edu

The Republicans held their fourth debate so far this election cycle Tuesday, Nov. 10. Coming off a controversial debate on CNBC, Fox Business made a strong effort to be much more policy focused while also taking some passive aggressive shots at CNBC in the days leading up to the debate. The questions were insightful and substantive, and a few candidates shined.

Over the last two debates, Sens.

Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have pulled ahead of the rest of the pack. They are both very good in short, thoughtful responses and have left both debates completely unscathed. Rubio was particularly impressive with his answer to raising the minimum wage.

“If I thought that raising the minimum wage was the best way to help people increase their pay I would be all for it, but it isn’t,” Rubio said.

This statement signifies what will make Rubio relatable to a large amount of the population in the general election. His remarks on the minimum wage do not smack of the “scratching my rich friend’s back” undertone many criticized previous Republican nominees of taking. It is a conservative stance stated in such a way that it does not drive away lower income and minority voters but points them toward a hopeful future.

Cruz was strong as well and was able to tap into the same antiWashington, anti-establishment sentiment that Donald Trump has. The difference is Cruz is much more conservative and much more polished than Trump.

Cruz also seems less scripted and much quicker on his feet than he was previously.

Sen. Rand Paul had a good debate as well. He seemed engaged and ready to fight and was able to distinguish himself from the rest of the field in both domestic and foreign policy. However, in light of the horrific attacks this past weekend in Paris, his “isolationist” foreign policy just does not seem feasible. As more and more terrorist attacks take place across the world, it does not seem responsible for the U.S. to slowly back out of world affairs.

The biggest loser of this debate may have been Ohio Gov. John Kasich. From the outset of the debate, Kasich was overly attacking, and he constantly complained about not getting more speaking time even though he finished with the second most time. Kasich got

“

Google Images

DEBATE — The Republican Party held its fourth debate of the election cycle in Wisconsin Nov. 10. government should bail out failing banks and was slammed by Trump early in the debate. An allaround poor night for him.

Finally, Jeb Bush had by far his best debate, which admittedly is

Tuesday night ... will hasten the winnowing of the field.

— CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER

away from his positive, moderate mantra and seemed agitated and angry. He also lost an argument with Cruz over whether the

not saying much, as his first three debate performances were very poor. Bush continues to be a weak debater and often reminds me of

the stuttering lawyer in the classic movie “My Cousin Vinny.” The idea many have put forward, that Bush is rusty from not serving in a political office for almost a decade, seems to be reality.

The end result of this debate has kept the status quo. Rubio and Cruz are the rising stars while Dr. Ben Carson and Trump continue to hold fast in the polls. Yet all of this could change within a week.

Many candidates have been in the spotlight and faded quickly. Originally, Bush and Gov. Scott Walker were the big names, and Walker is now out of the race completely

while Bush has struggled almost since the moment he announced his campaign. Carly Fiorina made a big splash in the first two debates but has not garnered as much attention since then.

“Tuesday night did not radically alter the trajectory of the Republican race,” Charles Krauthammer concluded in The Washington Post. “But it will hasten the winnowing of the field.”

SUTHERLAND is the opinion editor.

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opinion

Liberty Champion | November 17, 2015 | A5

NEWS REVIEW

Attacks across Paris

At least 129 dead and more than 300 injured after terrorist strikes in France Nov. 13 Nate Haywood nahaywoodl@liberty.edu

The world stood still. Cities around the globe shined lights of red, white and royal blue upon their most memorable buildings and landmarks. The amply named “City of Light” went uncharacteristically dark. All in response to the catastrophic acts of terrorism — resulting in the deaths of more than 100 people — in Paris, France Friday night, Nov. 13.

Per multiple reports, there were several attacks in six locations throughout Paris. The following is a timeline of the tragic events.

The attacks began around 9:20 p.m.

(Paris time) just outside of the Stade de France, where the French national soccer team was playing the German national team. A suicide bomber reportedly detonated his explosive vest near one of the stadium’s entrances, killing one civilian.

This was the first of three eventual bombings outside of the stadium. French President Francios Hollande was in attendance but was immediately evacuated after the explosion.

The Wall Street Journal reports at least one of the terrorists had a ticket to the game and intended to detonate within the stadium. However, security noticed the explosive vest, leading to the terror-

ist detonating prematurely outside of the stadium.

According to CNN, three people died along with the bomber. These were the first of many casualties to come.

Five minutes later, a Le Carillon bar and a Cambodian and Vietnamese restaurant, Le Petit Cambodge, were also attacked. At 9:25 reports say two masked men exited a black vehicle with automatic weapons and opened fire, killing 15 and injuring 10.

According to NBC News, investigators found approximately 100 shell casings of various calibers at the scene.

At 9:30 p.m., another bomb went off outside of the stadium. The terrorist was the only causality.

At 9:32 p.m. another bar was attacked.

In the 11th district of Paris, a black vehicle arrived at A La Bonne Biere. Assailants opened fire, killing five. Similar to the attacks at the first bar and restaurant site, roughly 100 shells were found at the scene, per CNN. The theme of attacking restaurants continued with a shooting at the Belle Equipe, another 11th district establishment. At this location, at 9:36 p.m., 19 were killed.

At 9:40 and 9:53, two more suicide bombers detonated, one at the 11th district restaurant Comptior Voltaire and another at the stadium. Each bomb was of a similar design. However, neither explosion

led to civilian casualties.

Simultaneously, at 9:40, a group of three men entered the Bataclan concert hall, where American band Eagles of Death Metal was performing. Mid performance, the gunman entered the concert hall, wielding, as Paris prosecutor Francios Molins put it, “weapons of war.” With those weapons, the gunmen fired into the crowd. According to CNN, witnesses heard the assailants yell “Allahu Akbar,” Arabic for “Allah is great,” during the attacks.

Further reports indicate the gunmen gathered multiple survivors as hostages.

Meanwhile, some concertgoers found places to hide and remained undiscovered for more than two hours.

It was not until 20 minutes past midnight that French elite police stormed the concert hall. The police raid led to the death of the three gunmen. Per The New York Times, two of the three intentionally detonated their vests, while the third was killed by police fire. However his vest detonated as well.

This was the last of attacks in Paris, but significant damage had already been done. Within less than an hour, 129 men and women were murdered while nearly three times as many were injured, according to NBC News.

After further investigation, The New

York Times reported at least four French citizens were involved in the attacks, three of which were brothers. Investigations are still ongoing.

Two days after the chilling events, Nov. 15, Hollande and his national security team elected to bomb Raqqa, a Syrian city known to be an ISIS stronghold. He said he would be “unforgiving” to those responsible, but has not officially declared war against the Islamic State.

According to an official statement from the Defense Ministry, 12 total aircrafts were launched from the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. The statement also said 20 bombs were dropped.

At present time, a current manhunt for Salah Abdeslam, who is suspected to be involved, has made its way to Belgium, where officials believe Abdeslam has fled.

In the midst of such a horrendous tragedy, many are left with broken hearts and unanswered questions. France is in mourning as its capital city weeps. But this battle is not over. France has not been defeated.

Our nation’s earliest ally will bounce back.

And when it does, the City of Light will illuminate the French skies brighter than ever before.

HAYWOOD is the editor-in-chief.

PERIL IN PARIS 9:20 p.m.

9:30 p.m.

9:36 p.m.

9:40 p.m.

Stade de France Suicide bomber - died 1 Killed

Stade de France Suicide bomber - died None Killed

La Belle Equipe Shooting 19 Killed

Bataclan Concert Hall Shooting 89 Killed

9:25 p.m.

9:32 p.m.

9:40 p.m.

9:53 p.m.

Le Carillon bar Le Petit Cambodge restaurant Shooting 15 Killed

Cafe Bonne Bière Shooting 5 Killed

Comptoir Voltaire Suicide bomber - died None Killed

Stade de France Suicide bomber - died None Killed

STADE DE FRANCE

CAFE BONNE BIÈRE BATACLAN CONCERT HALL

LE CARILLON LE PETIT CAMBODGE

LA BELLE EQUIPE

COMPTOIR VOLTAIRE

* information adapted from The New York Times and other sources

Push Black Friday back?

Retailers staying open on Thanksgiving Day is hurting families across U.S. Brianna Young bdyoung4@liberty.edu

Black Friday sales are beginning earlier and earlier each year as retailers open on Thanksgiving Day to the detriment of families of retail employees across the U.S. Thanksgiving is a time for families to come together and celebrate everything they have to be grateful for. It is a time to rejuvenate and relax with those closest to you.

For college students, Thanksgiving often means returning home to loved ones after months apart, making time with family have even greater significance.

However, people who work in retail are unable to take off from work during one of the most important holidays of the year. Family time is greatly compromised, and college students may find themselves lacking a loved one or two from Thanksgiving dinner.

But there is a glimmer of hope that this trend may be changing.

Some stores have decided to take the higher road this year and stay closed on Thanksgiving Day. Retailers such as REI, Staples and Lowes have announced they will remain closed until bright and early Black Friday morning. However, they are in the minority and, quite honestly, are not the kinds of stores people go running to for

Google Images

BLACK FRIDAY — Retailers across the country stayed open on Thanksgiving day for Black Friday sales. great Christmas deals.

TIME’s Brad Tuttle recently criticized many businesses that espoused their move to stay closed on Thanksgiving as a kind and selfless move. He pointed out that many of these retailers had nothing to gain from being open in the first place.

“In most cases, the decision to open or close on Thanksgiving

(or Black Friday) is based on business strategy in addition to doing the ‘right thing,’” Tuttle said.

“By staying closed on Thanksgiving, stores will naturally endear themselves to shoppers who think it’s awful that any stores are open that day.”

Tuttle pointed out those who have decided to close on Thanksgiving are simply enacting a mar-

keting plan that will attract buyers who protest companies that are open on Thanksgiving. Basically companies that remain closed for Thanksgiving do so for financial gain. This is just one more example of how the consumer culture has warped a holiday that is meant for giving thanks for what you have.

When most will be putting

Thanksgiving dinner on the table, major retailers will be opening up to the Black Friday crowds.

Best Buy and Target are slated to open at 5 p.m. while JC Penney will begin its Black Friday deals at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving.

Employees will work through the night, guiding and helping customers. If they are lucky, there will be leftovers for them in the fridge when they get home the next morning.

College students who work in retail in their college town will not have the opportunity to drive home for a few short days to see family. Parents of students may not have the opportunity to spend valuable holiday time with their son or daughter.

Consumers should not be so obsessed with fighting the crowds for overhyped products. Instead, stay home and spend time with the family. Give thanks for what you have. There is plenty of time until Christmas to find the perfect gift.

If everyone decided to stay home on Thanksgiving it would give stores an incentive to close their doors and send their employees home to be with their families too.

YOUNG is an opinion writer.

news

A6 | November 17, 2015 | Liberty Champion

This means business Founder of IBEC Ventures makes connections between business and missions Jacob Clarke jlclarke3@liberty.edu

“How do we bring the gospel to the unreached of this world while at the same time addressing the great issues of today?”

Larry Sharp, founder of IBEC Ventures, a consulting firm that assists businesses around the world use their organization to spread the gospel, answered his question and said, “Business.”

Sharp shared with students at the Entrepreneurship on the Edge forum hosted by the Liberty University Center for Entrepreneurship and Liberty’s global business development program how they could use “business as missions.”

Close to 50 students and faculty attended the event Thursday, Nov. 12 where Sharp and other professionals took turns speaking about their successes and failures in the marketplace and answering questions from students.

Sharp said many areas of the world that have not been reached with the gospel are also places with “massive poverty, massive injustice and massive unemployment.” He said the answer to these problems begins with job creation, and if Christian business owners can leverage their ability to create wealth in these areas, they can also reach the hearts of the people they serve.

Sharp showed videos that profiled some of the companies he

CANDIDATE continued from A1 “I am so honored and privileged to introduce two heroes to Liberty University today,” Falwell said.

He said Rogers survived the Bataan Death March and received a Purple Heart for his service. Falwell said Rogers, who now lives in Lynchburg, does not ask to come and meet distinguished speakers on campus very often, but he highly respects and supports Carson and requested to meet him.

The crowd in the Vines Center stood to their feet and clapped for Rogers to thank him for his service. Rogers took the microphone and said he wants Carson to be next in the White House.

“It is certainly a pleasure,” Rogers said. “There are enough votes in this (arena) to put Dr. Carson in the White House. That is my wish.”

Falwell then introduced Carson to the podium to speak.

Carson started by introducing his wife who received applause from the audience. He took time to address the student body and tell them how important they are.

“It’s been a few years since I’ve been at Liberty, but we talk about Liberty all the time because that’s what (the school) represents — liberty (and) freedom from the snares of the world,” Carson said. “(Liberty has) the right kind of teaching and the right kind of values for the young people who will become the leaders of our nation. You are such a vital part of the future of this nation.”

Carson then spoke about how he is grateful for all those who have served in the U.S. military and asked all veterans in the room to stand so he could thank them because “freedom is not free.” “(They made) such a sacrifice, and (it) is something we all must begin to think about in our lives,” Carson said.

“There is nothing that is really free and particularly the concept of freedom. We should be so delighted that we live in America. Is there a better place to live than America? I don’t think so.”

RJ Goodwin | Liberty Champion

PLATFORM — Sharp spoke to students about using the field of business to serve and glorify God. consulted for, and he shared some of their success stories. In one instance, a business owner simply had a Bible on the shelf in his office, and a potential recruit asked him if the reason he conducted his business so ethically had to do with that Bible. It led to an opportunity for the owner to share the gospel, and the man came to faith.

“That little vignette shows real business with real people who care about Jesus and making him known to the world, (demonstrating) what this is all about,” Sharp said.

Carson said he has traveled to many other countries but he always loved coming back to the U.S. because he believes it is the most exceptional nation the world has ever seen.

America is known for dreams, according to Carson, and he said he always dreamed of being a doctor. However, Carson said he was not a good student when he was younger, and no one thought he was very smart. He said there was always one person who never thought that he was dumb, and that was his mother.

Carson said his mother made him and his brother read books from the library and write book reports. His mother would make marks on their papers even though she could not read.

“As I read those books, incredible things began to happen,” Carson said. “I began to realize, particularly as I read about people of accomplishment in all kinds of fields, that the person who has the most to do with what happens to you in life is you.

It’s not somebody else. It’s not the environment. It’s you. And that was incredibly empowering to me.”

Carson said he stopped thinking about what could not be done and started thinking more about what could be done. When he did poorly on his first set of exams in medical school, he was told he was not cut to be a doctor. Carson said he was devastated at first, but he decided to spend more time reading. Medical school became easier for him.

Carson changed gears and spoke about how he believes God is a creator and has created the whole earth. He spoke about not being critical of different views of creation and evolution and that everyone is allowed to believe what they believe.

“It is also very vital that we begin to think about each other, that we begin to think about those who come behind us,” Carson said.

The fiscal gap, according to Carson, is being handled irresponsibly and is over $200 trillion. Carson said it will be hard for the next generation to get the country in order, but there is time, but not much time, before it collapses.

With so many people living in places that do not allow missionary visas, those who want to reach others for Christ must go with the necessary skills to get a job and contribute to the area’s economy.

Sharp challenged students to begin using business as missions by searching for internship opportunities overseas, investing in companies that create jobs, and using how God wired them as businesspeople to serve others.

Jonathan Whitt, the president and CEO of the Roanoke-Blacks-

burg Technology Council, gave students advice on how to attract the funding necessary to start their businesses. He said Christians “are hungry to build the kingdom of God,” and students should present their ideas that align with that mission.

“As you go out and be successful, you’re going to attract other businesspeople to what you’re doing, and I believe the funding is going to come,” Whitt said. “So what we need is more good ideas, more of you taking the risk.”

Paul Halsey, a Liberty alumnus, shared his experiences of working in the Philippines for 14 years and how even though he and his team had access as missionaries, they still had to find creative ways to form relationships with those in the community. He now serves as a mentor to Liberty students who are interested in using their vocation to serve God in foreign countries and leads them in the right direction.

“As I talk to students I realize that they need to ask certain questions that they’re not asking themselves,” Halsey said. “The most important question might not be ‘where?’ or ‘what?’ but ‘who?’

Who is it that you’re going to interact with?”

Senior Paul Nelson said the night’s forum, and specifically Whitt’s message about being willing to take risks, resonated with him as he works with the school of engineering to develop products. He said what he learned at the forum will be beneficial as he works toward a potential career in manufacturing either in the U.S. or abroad.

“I’ve always wanted to put business (and) missions together,” Nelson said.

The next Entrepreneurship on the Edge event will take place Feb. 25, 2016.

CLARKE is a copy editor.

Michela Diddle | Liberty Champion

GOD BLESS AMERICA — Ben Carson asked David Nasser to pray the eyes of America are opened.

Carson spoke about the Constitution and how it gives rights that God the creator gave, but people are starting to push God out of the country.

“Our nation’s survival as a pinnacle nation in the world … is rooted in our values system — values and principals of a great nation,” Carson said. “The real question is, are we willing to stand up for those values and principles, or will we allow ourselves to be intimidated by the secular progressives?”

Applause filled the arena as Carson ended his speech by saying it is crucial for everyone to stand up for their beliefs.

Nasser sat down with Carson for a Q&A with questions provided by members from Liberty’s student government. Questions included topics such as traditional marriage, a proposed 10 percent flat tax and the story of how Carson decided to run as a residential candidate.

The session ended as Nasser prayed for Carson and for the nation, then Falwell presented Carson with his own Liberty football jersey as a parting gift.

FOLEY is the asst. news editor.

GETTING READY FOR CANDIDATE CARSON Daniel Bolton, director of Spiritual Programs, said the planning to have Carson started months ago.

However, they were thrown a curveball when they found out Secret Service was coming as well.

“We got the word a few days before that the Secret Service was running the whole event,” Bolton said. “We had heard rumors in the media about it, but this was actually the first event (Carson) had with the Secret Service.”

Barry Bennett, Carson’s campaign manager, said it was Dean Parker, a Liberty alumus who is now Carson’s national finance chairman, who pushed for Carson to speak at Liberty.

“Dean Parker, who is on the board here … said, ‘We’ve gotta go to Liberty. We’ve gotta go to Liberty,’” Bennett said. “It worked out in the schedule, and we knew we were coming for a couple weeks. We didn’t know we were going to have the Secret Service, but it’s worked out really well. Where else can you find this many kids?”

Bolton said he enjoyed listening to Carson.

“I loved his message,” Bolton said.

“I thought he was a very humble

man and a kind soul that was just incredibly intelligent, but you could tell that he was also down to earth and understands what people need.”

Bolton also said Carson stayed on campus to have a private reception with Falwell, where they served Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and took time to tour the medical school.

“He stayed hours at Liberty,” Bolton said. “Presidential candidates see the value of visiting Liberty and speaking in Convocation. It has become a must stop on the campaign trail, and Dr. Carson’s visit affirms this. Before the election, we will have all major candidates visit.”

Bennett confirmed Carson has had a very busy schedule, but Carson took time to participate in a few activities in Lynchburg.

“We are doing some things on campus,” Bennett said. “We are doing a press avail at the medical school, we are doing an ice cream social and then a lunch, and then we are flying off to Richmond tonight for dinner. Then (we are) off to Texas and Oklahoma and Florida and Las Vegas. Everyday it is a different city.”

FOLEY is the asst. news editor.

news

Liberty Champion | November 17, 2015 | A7

Veteran holds no vengeance

Former prisoner of war George Rogers traveled back to Japan for friendship program Matt Pierce mpierce17@liberty.edu

“The Lord was with me all the time. He was protecting me.”

That was the response of George Rogers, who spent 42 months as a prisoner of war (POW) under the confinement of the Japanese military in the Philippines and Japan during World War II. George Rogers, for the first time since he was released in 1945, returned to Japan for the Japanese-American POW friendship program from Oct. 10-19 with the accompaniment of his son, ROGERS Jeffrey Rogers.

One month ago, George Rogers, at the age of 96, was touring various cities of Japan with his son and eight other ex-POWs from the WWII era. The program is intended to restore the relationship between the American people and the Japanese. According to Rogers and his son, the Japanese are teaching the next generation about the horrors they committed against the American people during WWII. On Oct. 14 in a letter addressed to George Rogers, four young Japanese girls apologized to him for what he endured. After learning in their school, Toin Gakuen, about the treatment of POW’s in the war, the female students said, “We are now aware what kind of damage ignorance can cause.”

George Rogers felt compelled to respond to the letter. After returning to the U.S. he replied with gratitude to the four girls who wrote him the letter.

“I was very impressed with your letter and the four girls, because I feel that education and peace is a good direction for the world to go,” George Rogers wrote.

Throughout his time in Japan, George Rogers traveled to cities including Tokyo and Kyoto as well as other sites throughout the country. He met with dignitaries as well as students to help inform them about the relations between Japan and the U.S. 70 years ago.

“They’re having a big push in Japan to educate the young about the atrocities that Japan manifested on other people in the

world,” Jeffrey Rogers said.

George Rogers and the other former POWs visited many sites including the Kyoto Museum for World Peace and the Tribute to the Unknown Soldier in Japan as well as met with people such as Caroline Kennedy, the only surviving child of President John F. Kennedy, who currently serves as the U.S. Ambassador to Japan.

Both of the men wanted to see some of the sites from when George Rogers spent time as a POW, but none of the prison camps exist anymore. Although they did not get to see a lot of what they had hoped, Jeffrey Rogers said he learned a great deal from the trip and that it was good fatherson bonding time.

On August 20, 1941 George Rogers left his home in St. Louis, Missouri and enlisted at Jefferson Barracks for Island duty in the Philippines. Although George Rogers was supposed to spend six months in St. Louis and six months on the West Coast before he left for service overseas, it was less than six weeks before he was sailing to the Philippines.

On April 9, 1942 Bataan fell, and under the authority of General Edward P. King Jr. the Luzon force surrendered to the Japanese. There were 10,000 American troops that surrendered and 45,000 Filipino troops that surrendered that day on the Bataan Peninsula, and with that the infamous Bataan Death March began. Only 25-30 percent of troops on the march survived.

The death march took seven days for George Rogers and the men he was grouped into to finish. Afterwards, George Rogers was shipped off to Camp O’Donnell where he would work burial duty for the next four months.

Day in and day out George Rogers fought for his life. In August of 1945 he was set free and returned home.

The return trip to Japan was a success in the eyes of George Rogers. In the letter to the four girls from Toin Gakuen High School, George Rogers left them with his overall thoughts about the trip back to Japan.

“Thank you for making my trip to Japan a very special one,” George Rogers wrote.

George Rogers holds a special connection to Liberty University as well. He retired after serving as the chief financial

Taylor Streelman| Liberty Champion

HONORED — Visitors view a statue of George Rogers inside Williams Stadium. officer for more than 25 years.

In 2010 the George Rogers Champion of Freedom Award was established. The award goes to a person who is connected to Liberty or the Central Virginia area and served in the U.S. military. There have been six recipients of the award to honor their willingness to protect the freedom of the citizens of the U.S. George Rogers was the first recipient Nov. 6, 2010.

A statue of Rogers sits just beyond the gates upon entering into Williams Stadium.

He received a Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal in June 2012.

“As far as I’m concerned there is no animosity between me and the Japanese,” George Rogers said. “There never was.”

See full story at liberty.edu/champion.

PIERCE is a feature reporter.

Demanding order in the court Students from Liberty’s moot court team advance to nationals in California Elizabeth Lapp elapp@liberty.edu

Ten Liberty University undergraduate students traveled to Regent University to compete in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Moot Court Tournament Nov. 6-7.

Dr. Robert Robertson, Liberty’s undergraduate moot court coach, described the competition as an opportunity for students to experience what it is like to argue before an appellate court such as the Supreme Court. These competitions are often required for first year law school students and provide undergraduate students with an opportunity to practice the skills that they will need later.

“They get a substantial amount of experience reading cases, fact patterns and evaluating cases in the fact pattern to determine how the law applies to the facts,” Robertson said. “This is the perfect opportunity to begin to learn how to read and analyze cases since they will be doing a substantial amount of that type of reading and analysis when they are in law school.”

Cameron Chotiner, who joined after competing with Liberty’s debate team his freshman year, competed with Liberty’s moot court team for a second time.

“I started doing moot court for the opportunity to get experience for law school,” Chotiner said. “I really wanted to get the opportunity to diversify my skillset. After a year of debate I just really wanted to do something else.”

Each team consists of two students with one student addressing each topic. The teams are then scored based on how well they know the facts of the case, their

Photo Submitted

SUCCESS — Pictured are Dr. Robert Robertson (center) and the two teams that placed in the top 16. application of the law to the facts of the case, and how well they deliver their arguments.

One of the unique and challenging aspects of moot court is

“

application of the law.

“For me I love the hot benches, the ones where the judges are asking a ton of questions,” Chotiner said. “It’s really a chal-

This is the perfect opportunity to begin to learn how to read and analyze cases.

— DR. ROBERT ROBERTSON

the judges can interrupt a competitor’s argument at any time to ask them questions about their

lenge and a chance for me to step up and have some fun and be creative with my answers.”

The students have been preparing for the regional tournament since the beginning of the semester by researching and practicing their arguments.

“They had to read through a fact pattern that was extensive,” Robertson said. “Then they had to read and analyze at least nine cases, one or two of the cases being issued by the Supreme Court and the rest being issued by the federal appellate courts. These were extensive cases which took up several pages, and they had to analyze those cases, apply them to the fact pattern and come up with an argument.”

This is Robertson’s first year teaching at Liberty and coaching the moot court team. Prior to coming to Liberty he practiced litigation for 15 years in Louisiana where he argued in front of several of Louisiana’s District Courts of Appeals and the Louisiana Supreme Court.

While his past experience has been beneficial for students in preparing their arguments, his recent arrival also meant students had less time to research and to prepare their arguments.

“Normally students that do this competition get the fact pattern and the cases when it comes out in May, and the teams begin to work on it at that time period with assistance from the coaches,” Robertson said. “We started in August and really started practicing in the end of September (and) beginning of October.”

Despite the disadvantage, Robertson still believes the students performed well at regionals. The teams of Noah Luzier, Richard Wiley, A.J. Colkitt and Nathan Wilson all ranked in the top 16 teams. Colkitt and Wilson advanced even further, placing in the top eight teams, earning them a trip to nationals.

“They put together fantastic arguments, and they did extremely well in the tournament,” Robertson said. “We scored high.

Even in the competitions that we didn’t necessarily win, we scored really high.”

Colkitt and Wilson will travel to California State University in January to compete at nationals.

LAPP is a news reporter.

news

A8 | November 17, 2015 | Liberty Champion

Turning burdens to lessons

Bethany Barr Phillips, Kay Arthur share about the power of the Word of God Shannon Ritter sritter2@liberty.edu

Liberty students heard singer-songwriter Bethany Barr Phillips and Co-founder of Precept Ministries International and awardwinning author Kay Arthur speak at Convocation Monday, Nov. 9 about how God has used difficult circumstances in their lives to bring them closer to the Lord.

Between worship songs, Phillips shared her story of growing up in the church, getting married and becoming pregnant. However, during her first doctor’s appointment, Phillips and her husband were told she was not actually pregnant, but a rare form of cancer had formed in her womb.

“There was no longer a baby, but there was something that was trying to kill me,” Phillips said. “And it reminds me of that verse that says the enemy means to steal, kill, and destroy … I felt like a life had been taken.”

The artist from Tuscaloosa, Alabama described the next six months of chemotherapy and how she had lost all of her hair along with most of her hope. She said the Lord began to show her that his Word never became alive in her life, despite her serving in the church for most of her life.

She said he planted Isaiah 54 on her heart.

“I have to be honest,” Phillips said. “I was angry, mad, frustrated. I didn’t understand (how even though) I served the Lord with my life and my vocation ... bad things would happen. I was broken and desperate, and I had gotten to a place where all that I have done and all that I’ve accomplished on a platform in Sunday school didn’t matter anymore. And at that moment, the Lord began the freedom process in my own

REMEMBER continued from A1 She looked at the pictures of the fallen soldiers from the pews and said she knew it would be time for her brother to go overseas soon. Other students came to show their respect as well, such as Dakota Nixon, who is currently serving in

heart, and with that freedom, he began to heal me. I found out that two months later I was cancer free.”

After a round of applause and a smile on Phillips’ face, she went on to say that a year and a half later, she and her husband had a baby girl named Isaiah Joy. Arthur took the stage next and said speaking to Liberty’s student body was the best birthday gift she could have asked for, as her 82nd birthday was just two days away. She began her message by saying how the student body responds to what she has to say will determine the future of America.

“In our America, the fear of the Lord is gone, and it has been replaced with the fear of man,” Arthur said. “You and I are living in a society that wants to bring us under fear so that we are not able to stand, so we are not able to freely proclaim the Word of God. We are ill-prepared for this time because there is a famine in the United States for the pure Word of God.” She asked students what place God and his Word take in their lives. She reminded students that as Christians, God and his Word must be first priority in their lives. If not, they will not have the courage to stand firm in their beliefs throughout the world.

Next, Arthur described some of her story. She married a young, talented and rich baseball player who was offered contracts to pitch for the Yankees, Pirates and Indians. Although he was voted most likely to succeed and rated a genius, according to Arthur, she still ended up divorcing her husband.

“After I divorced him, he would call me and he would say, ‘I’m going to kill myself,’” Arthur said. “And I would say to him, ‘Do a good job, so I get your money.’

the National Guard.

“I came to remember all those who have died,” Nixon said. “Showing your support is … as simple as showing up.”

The remembrance began with a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem.

Steve Bozeman, a recipient of two Purple

Hearts earned while serving in Vietnam, started the evening honoring the fallen ones.

“One of the worst things about war is to be forgotten,” Bozeman said.

Director of Engineering and Computational Technology Scott Pleasants spoke at the remembrance, sharing his personal experience in the

Michela Diddle | Liberty Champion

WISDOM — Kay Arthur told the story of how the Lord freed her from sin.

The Bible says … that life and death are in the tongue. And what I was telling him was your life doesn’t matter. The money that I’ll get from your life for me and the two boys will. I divorced him … and I went out to look for love in all the wrong places. …

I did things that I thought I would never, ever, ever do.”

She described the affair she had with a married man for two years and how when she found out he was married, she did not care.

“Sin will take you farther than you ever wanted to go,” Arthur said. “It will keep you longer than you ever intended to stay, and it will cost you more than you ever thought you would pay.

The Bible says whoever commits sin is a slave to sin. But the Son shall set us free.

You shall be free indeed.” military and memories of those who died.

He shared the story of those who gave their lives including his grandfather who died fighting in Belgium, working to defeat the Germans.

“Just like many of us today, we took an oath to defend something much greater than ourselves,” Pleasants said. “We honor

Arthur accepted Jesus into her life by her bedside July 16, 1963 at 29 years old.

She described how, after getting saved, she told God she was willing to go back to her first husband and make it work. She planned on writing him a letter and put it off for many weeks.

Finally, she got a call from her husband’s parents. She thought God was bringing them back together. However, she found out that her husband had committed suicide.

“How do you live with all that? How do you press on? How do you go forward?”

Arthur said. “You get to know your God. The people who know their God will be able to stand firm. But not just stand firm, they will be able to take action.”

RITTER is a news reporter.

our comrades, our friends, the people who stood on our left and right, the people who had our backs and could always be counted on. I challenge you tonight to remember those people and also to honor them by living a life for God and his glory.”

After Pleasants spoke, the names of fallen men and women were read.

The somber evening ended with the folding of the American flag and a goodbye to the soldiers.

CREEKMORE is a news reporter.

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SPORTS

November 17, 2015

M. Basketball

Football

Volleyball

Liberty

Covenant

Liberty

64

62

3

GW

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1

24

31

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M. DI Hockey (Series) Liberty Delaware

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90

52

Chaos of Coastal

clutch

The logistics of the season finale Bobby Keating rfkeating@liberty.edu

Beat Coastal mania will reach a fever pitch on Nov. 19 as the Flames football team will host its rival in a nationally televised primetime game.

Things will look different around campus on the Thursday before Thanksgiving break. As ESPN News invades campus to televise the game across the nation, Liberty staffers will work hard to ensure the event goes on without a hitch.

Parking Situation Parking lots that will be closed off all day Nov. 19 include Speakman (between bookstore and Elmer Town’s Religion Hall), Evans (baseball lot outside of right field fence), the Pavilion lot behind LaHaye Ice Center and parts of the LaHaye parking lot, according to Senior Associate Athletics Director Mickey Guridy. This parking is reserved for donors, season ticket holders, etc.

Commuters and faculty who are unable to park in their normal parking lots on game day will be able to park in Bailey (off Liberty University Drive), the parking garage or the Doc’s parking lot without fear of getting towed.

For those who have to park farther in Zone 4, beyond the East Campus athletic fields, there will be extra shuttle busses taking students, faculty and staff where they need to go. Shuttle buses will also run from the TRBC lot by the 911 center.

“It’s going to be kind of unique with school going on and having people at work,” Guridy said. “We normally cut (parking lots) off every Friday night at midnight so all day Saturday you don’t really have a lot of issues, but (with the game) being on a school day presents some challenges. Everyone has been very helpful in preparing for this special situation. We appreciate the cooperation.”

Tailgating Time Parking lots will be closed all day to allow the game day tradition of tailgating to continue.

The two hot spots for off-campus tailgaters are the Speakman and LaHaye parking lots. However, many on-campus residents find creative spots to tailgate throughout campus.

Leah Seavers| Liberty Champion

DRIVE — Freshman guard Lovell Cabbil hit two free throws with 2.6 seconds left to win the game.

Lucky No. 13 Lovell Cabbell comes up big in the final seconds Paul Vandenbosch prvandenbosch@liberty.edu

The second installment of the Ritchie McKay era began with a victory Friday night, as the Liberty men’s basketball team hung on to defeat the Covenant Scots, 6462, in the season opener Nov. 13 in the Vines Center.

True freshman guard Lovell Cabbil hit two free throws with 2.6 seconds left in the game to give the Flames (2-0) a dramatic first win of the season. Cabbil, one of eight freshmen on the Flames roster, finished with six points and eight rebounds in his first collegiate game.

“Overall, I couldn’t have asked for a better situation for our group,” Flames Head Coach Ritchie McKay said. “We needed to be tested early.”

Sophomore center Evan Maxwell led the team with career-highs in points (15)

WE’LL SEE YOU AT THE GAME

and rebounds (10) to collect his first career double-double. Redshirt sophomore guard Ryan Kemrite added 13 points and six rebounds for the Flames. Liberty finished the game shooting 40.7 percent from the field.

“It definitely feels good to (finally) go out and compete in a game setting with fans,” Maxwell said. “(To) go out there and put into play what we’ve been working on … I think we could have executed better and had more discipline, but that’s going to come with time and work and we’re going to keep getting better.”

Sophomore guard Berto Dryden led the Scots with 14 points and four assists, while senior forward Chris Boyd tacked on 12 points and three rebounds. Covenant lost despite shooting 44 percent from the field.

Both teams started rather cold, as the Flames scored first on a tip-in by Maxwell

M. Basketball Football vs.

Coastal vs. W&M

Nov. 17 @ 7 p.m.

Nov. 19 @ 7 p.m.

See COASTAL, B4

41 seconds into the game to make it 2-0.

The next basket would not come until nearly three minutes later, when sophomore forward Patjo Twagirayezu knocked down a three-pointer to give the Scots a 3-2 lead with 16:31 remaining.

After a layup by Kemrite gave the Flames a 14-12 lead with 8:23 left in the half, the Scots answered with a 7-0 run to take a 19-14 lead with 6:21 to play. The Scots pushed their lead to as many as seven, which would be their biggest advantage of the night, leading 25-18 with 3:58 remaining. The Flames ended the half on an 8-2 run and went into the locker room trailing, 27-26. Liberty struggled to shoot the ball in the first half, going 10-of-34 (29.4 percent) from the field in the half.

“As a coach, you can motivate in a few different ways,” McKay said.

See LUCKY, B3

W. Basketball vs. NC State

Nov. 20 @ 7 p.m.

Leah Seavers | Liberty Champion

FINALE — Flames have one more game.

M. Basketball W. Basketball vs. Central PA. @ JMU

Nov. 21 @ 2 p.m.

Nov. 23 @ 7 p.m

Follow @LUChampSports for Flames athletics coverage

sports

B2 | November 17, 2015 | Liberty Champion

Too tough to handle Lady Flames star forward Ashley Rininger is prepared for life after Liberty Emily Stotmeister estotmeister@liberty.edu

Lacing up her red, Nike basketball shoes for the first practice of the season, Ashley Rininger is filled with mixed feelings.

The 2015-2016 season is her fifth and fi-

Leah Seavers | Liberty Champion

VERTICAL — Ashley Rininger goes up.

nal season as a Lady Flame. As she walks through the brand new locker room that still smells like sawdust and paint, Rininger feels that there is a new outlook on the upcoming season.

“I think that I have a sense of urgency more than I have ever had in past seasons,” Rininger said. “This is it. I want to make the most of this incredible opportunity that is in front of me because it will be over before I know it.”

Rininger has been the Lady Flames starting post for the past three years. According to libertyflames.com, she has led the Flames in many categories such as rebounds, points and blocked shots.

She became the 15th Lady Flame to ever score 1,000 career points and tied the Liberty sports Hall of Famer Katie Feenstra with the most blocks in a game, with six against No. 1 ranked South Carolina. Rininger was voted Big South Championship MVP after averaging 15.3 points per game and 11.7 rebounds per game while posting three double-doubles during the conference tournament.

Libertyflames.com also provided that entering her final season, Rininger ranks

No. 4 in program history for blocked shots (137) and double-doubles (33), No. 8 in rebounds (792) and No. 13 in points (1,111).

She is also tied for 27th in the nation with 14 career double-doubles and places 32nd for field goal percentage (.518).

Even with this long list of achievements on the court, some of the most impressive but overlooked accolades are her academic accomplishments. For the past two seasons, Rininger was selected as Big South Scholar-Athlete of the Year, according to the Big South Conference. In addition, she was voted first team Capital One Academic All-American, becoming the third Academic All-American in program history.

Throughout her life, Rininger has made education a priority.

“She was and still is very disciplined with school, basketball, work and social life,” Rininger’s mother, Joyce Rininger said.

Rininger is currently pursuing her second master’s degree in criminal justice-public administration. In 2014, she graduated after just three years with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a 4.0 GPA. She also graduated in 2015 with a master’s degree in human services counseling with a focus in

crisis response and trauma with a 4.0 GPA. So what is Rininger going to do with all these degrees?

“I want to be a Special Agent in the FBI dealing with violent crime,” Rininger said. “I have always wanted to help people, and although there are a lot of ways that this could be accomplished, I just felt like this was the best for me. I love the idea of fighting for justice and being a voice for victims.”

Rininger knows that her ability to perform under pressure will help her in more than just basketball.

“Law enforcement is also a really dark occupation,” Rininger said. “Police officers have to deal with a lot of horrible people, and see awful things, and I want to be a light in those dark places.”

With skills and focus to take her to many levels, in the next five years Rininger sees herself just finishing her basketball career overseas and getting into a law enforcement agency or the FBI. After all, Rininger realizes the importance of focus and endurance outside of basketball.

STOTMEISTER is a guest writer.

Here comes the pride Women’s lacrosse team gains another Pridemore sister for the 2015 season Kallie Britton kbritton@liberty.edu

Playing with a sibling while on an athletic team at any level is rare, but can be a special experience during an athlete’s collegiate career.

The Vero Beach, Florida, natives, sophomore Katy Pridemore and freshman Hannah Pridemore weighed in on the benefits of sisters competing together in athletics.

Their journey together began before they even came to Liberty University. Both Pridemores originally committed to play lacrosse at the University of Florida, a highly ranked team in the NCAA. However, when they chose to de-commit from Florida and come to Liberty instead, many people believed Hannah Pridemore simply followed in the footsteps of her older sister when Hannah Pridemore was actually the first sibling to express interest in Liberty.

“I think we mainly wanted to go to the same college, and Hannah had always been interested in Liberty before I even wanted to go here,” Katy Pridemore said.

“And I think that played a big part in my choice to switch schools because it was already in the back of my mind that Hannah wanted to go there. So then when I de-committed from Florida and came here to Liberty I realized this was where I was supposed to be.”

The Pridemore sisters have been playing together for the past seven years. The time has allowed the Pridemores to develop a significant amount of chemistry on the field together.

“I like playing with her because she knows what I’m going to do before I do it, we don’t even have to make eye contact,” Katy Pridemore said. “I know what I need to do to make Hannah perform at her best.”

This type of unselfish play has benefitted

Photo Provided

SISTERS — Katy (left) and Hannah (right) Pridemore enjoy competing together. both sisters in their lacrosse careers. In high school, Katy Pridemore was ranked No. 2 in the country for rising recruits by Inside Lacrosse Magazine and was also named a 1st team USA Lacrosse All-American, an Under Armour Underclass All-American and ESPN’s Player of the Week. And Hannah Pridemore competed as a starting member of Vero Beach’s run to the state title in 2013.

“We do things for the other person, to make each other look better,” Hannah Pridemore said. “We complement one another.”

Since the Pridemores have grown up playing together, they not only know how to make the other person perform well, but it also makes it easier to call the other person out if they are performing poorly.

“It kind of sets a higher standard because we know how good we’ve played before so we know we can do better,” Katy

Pridemore said. “We expect so much out of each other, so if Hannah isn’t playing well it’s easy for me to say, ‘Come on Hannah get your head together, I know you can do it.’”

Many siblings might cringe at the idea of being called out by their older or younger sibling in front of other people, but the Pridemores take it in stride knowing that the “tough love” is only meant to help in the long run.

“I like it when she tells me things on how to improve my game, it’s really helpful,” Hannah Pridemore said. “And I know I can always say something to Katy and correct her, which is something I could never do to another upperclassman.”

However, being sisters who are constantly under the spotlight to perform at a high level can become straining. The Pridemores are used to people comparing their skill level and talent, but they do not let that

damage their relationship with one another.

“People always compare us, which is not good because we are completely opposite players,” Hannah Pridemore said. “I like making the little scrappy plays and giving the ball to Katy so she can finish the play and make the game winning goal.”

It would be easy to assume that since both sisters play the same position, things could potentially get competitive between the two. Despite the pressure of competing against one another for spots on the starting attack, they simply try to use their different skills and work around the other person to make the team better as a whole.

“If we are running our sprint tests than we are obviously going to be competitive and try to beat each other, but on the field it’s a different kind of competitiveness,” Katy Pridemore said. “We play the same position but we have different roles, so obviously we try to push each other to do our best but we have separate jobs on the field.”

During their off-season this fall, they were unable to play together on the field due to an injury suffered by Katy Pridemore. This situation allowed Katy Pridemore to experience a new perspective from the sideline where she quickly became Hannah Pridemore’s biggest fan.

“This last fall I was able to watch her out there by herself from the sideline, which was really cool because I’ve never been able to just watch and not be out there with her playing,” Katy Pridemore said. “So it was more special when she made a great play because I could watch the whole thing happen and cheer for her.”

Katy and Hannah Pridemore are looking forward to competing together as Lady Flames for the first time this upcoming 2016 spring season.

BRITTON is a sports reporter.

sports The long-awaited college basketball season began last week and though we are still in the cupcake game phase, the excitement is emanating from basketball arenas AUL all around the country.

VANDENBOSCH It is too early to make predictions, but hey, that is the beauty of working in sports. You make ridiculous predictions way earlier than you should and you are usually wrong, but you still wake up the next morning with your job.

For starters, I have the team that I believe is a lock to make it to this year’s Final Four in Houston, and that team is the Virginia Cavaliers. Last March, Tony Bennett’s squad lost its top scorer in Justin Anderson right before the tournament and then got bounced by Tom Izzo’s Michigan State Spartans in the Round of 32. Heading into the tourney, the Cavaliers had the top-scoring defense in the country, and they will continue to be a dominant force on defense again this season. This year should afford the Cavs an opportunity to make a run all the way to the Final Four in the 2015-16 season.

Everybody loves a Cinderella. From Stephen Curry’s Davidson Wildcats in 2008 to Shabazz Napier’s Connecticut Huskies in 2014, the Cinderella teams always win the hearts of fans everywhere.

This season’s underdog could be any number of teams, but a team that people should keep an eye on come tournament time is Cincinnati. The Bearcats quietly

LUCKY continued from B1 “You can yell and scream at (players), which really isn’t my style, or you can reward them with minutes when they’re playing well and take them out when they’re not doing so well. I almost reached for Coach (Omar) Mance and asked him if he could go in.”

The second half saw better play from both teams, as the Flames shot 14-of-25 (56 percent) from the field in the second half and the Scots shot 13-of-28 (46.4 percent). Both teams went back and forth for the remainder of the game in a half that saw three lead changes and five ties.

Liberty Champion | November 17, 2015 | B3 had the sixth-best scoring defense in the nation last season, and if they repeat that trend this year, they could be dangerous. You know the old saying about defense, and it can be the key to sparking an upset and surviving to the next round.

Lastly, there is always that team that is overrated. There is one in every sport. I am going to go out on a limb here and say the No. 1 team in the nation, the North Carolina Tar Heels, is very overrated. The Tar Heels have one of the best recruiting classes for this season, but, as the Kentucky Wildcats know all too well, a dynamite recruiting class does not guarantee a championship. Plus, in the ACC, a No. 1 ranking is extremely difficult to maintain, given the fact that Carolina will have to face Duke twice and travel to Charlottesville to face Virginia. The Heels will come back down to earth, especially in the latter part of the season, and will leave fans in Chapel Hill wondering what could have been.

Oh and do not forget, Tuesday, Nov. 17 there are two marquee matchups to whet your appetite for the joyride ahead. No. 2 Kentucky takes on No. 5 Duke and No. 4 Kansas battles No. 13 Michigan State.

And for this, we give thanks.

College basketball season is here again. It is the time of the year when UNC and Duke fans come out of hiding and Kentucky fans boast about their team’s umpteenth straight No. 1 recruiting class full of man-children.

Joe Lunardi has gotten very creative this year with his bracketology. UNC, Duke, Kansas and Maryland, his No. 1 seeds according to espn.com, have combined for 17 national titles in the history of their programs, making it easy to see Lunardi is still in the business of making bold predictions.

My bracketology is a little more on the wild side. My personal lock for a trip to the Final Four in Houston is the Michigan State Spartans. The Spartans will get beat up in the Big Ten, but in the end it will be to their advantage. They will play in close games with scrappy teams and it will show in March.

Tom Izzo is not new to the Final Four by any means, having just taken his team there last season, but he has not won since 2000. Of course, he is only 60. So if he plans to coach as long as someone like Mike Krzyzewski, he has at least 20 more years, by the looks of Coach K. Speaking of Coach K, that brings me to my most overrated team this year. Yes, Duke is the defending National Champion, but the last team to repeat was Florida in 2007. How in the world could Coach

PICK A SIDE

VANDENBOSCH is the sports editor.

After Dryden tied the game at 35 on a layup with 15:56 to play, the Flames went on a 10-2 run that began with a three-pointer from sophomore forward A.C. Reid to take a 45-37 lead with 14:07 left in the game.

The Scots battled back to make it a 4543 with 12:22 remaining, and after that, neither team would lead by more than six points for the rest of the night.

The real drama began in the final minute of the game. After Cabbil made one of two free throws to give the Flames a 62-60 lead with 26 seconds left, the Scots were given a chance to tie the game. Twagirayezu then attempted a baseline three that fell short, but the Flames allowed Dryden to corral the rebound and put it back in to tie the

game at 62 with 12 seconds remaining.

With seven seconds left, Cabbil attempted to drive to the basket and was fouled by Boyd with 2.6 seconds to go. Cabbil, who was 1-for-6 from the field, proceeded to hit both free throws and give the Flames a 64-62 victory. “(Those free throws) were a huge confidence boost,” Cabbil said. “I wasn’t shooting well, I couldn’t make layups, I couldn’t hit jumpers and those free throws really helped me to take some of the weight off of my shoulders.”

Despite the win, the game was far from perfect for Liberty. The Flames, who were last in the Big South last year averaging 16.3 turnovers per game, equaled that aver-

K win back-to-back National Championships?

The last time Duke made it to the National Championship two years in a row was 1992.

Did they repeat? Ye …

Nevermind, forget what OEL SCHMIEG I said. Moving on.

The best part of March Madness are the Cinderella’s that shock the world each year. From Butler in 2010, to VCU in 2011 to N.C. State in 1983.

Who will be the next Jimmy V, running all over the court like a madman not sure what to do next? Only time will tell.

My Cinderella is not a new one. She has been around for a while. She shocks the world when she gets to the dance every year, but she has never been able to stay as long as she wants because the high profile princesses kick her out before she gets the chance to show off her moves. But trust me, she can dance.

Seriously, how is this whole Cinderella metaphor still a thing? It is a little weird.

The dark horse of 2016 will be the Belmont Bruins. Head Coach Rick Byrd is not new to the spotlight but he has never taken his team past the first round. This is his year to show the world what the Bruins are made of.

I hope you are excited for the madness, because it only gets better from here.

SCHMIEG is the asst. sports editor.

age Friday night by turning the ball over 16 times. The Flames were also only 10-for-17 (58 percent) from the free-throw line.

“Our bench is a little thin,” McKay said. “But I’m proud of our guys and I think they’re getting better, we just took a little step backwards from the way we’ve been practicing.”

The Flames continue their four-game set at the Vines Center to open the season when they host William & Mary Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.

VANDENBOSCH is the sports editor.

sports

B4 | November 17, 2015 | Liberty Champion

Defenseless Defenders Four Flames hit double-figures in scoring during 38-point win over Summit Nate Haywood nahaywood@liberty.edu

For the second straight season, the Liberty Flames men’s basketball team improved to 2-0, after trouncing Division III opponent Summit Defenders, 90-52, Nov. 14.

From opening tip, the Flames looked to get sophomore center Evan Maxwell involved.

The 6-foot-10-inch big man beelined straight to the low block, as he had an evident height advantage (Summit’s tallest player is 6-foot-5-inches). The Flames fed Maxwell, who finished with a twohanded slam, giving the Flames the early 2-0 lead.

Liberty held fast to this strategy as Maxwell scored the first two field goals of the game. It was not until the 17:30 mark that another Flame made a field goal of his own. Less than three minutes into the game, the Defenders got on the board with a driving layup by senior Adam Brinkley. In the Flames next possession, freshman guard Lovell Cabbil — hero of the prior night’s game — knocked down a three ball, increasing the Flames lead to six.

Along with the early offensive production, the Flames stifled the Defenders, allowing only 10 points in the first 10 minutes of the game.

After the Flames forced a turnover, one of 23 committed by the Defenders on the night, Cabbil drove to the basket, drawing a foul while finishing a layup, earning three points the old fashioned way. After making his free throw, Liberty jumped to a 12-2 lead.

After sophomore guard A.C. Reid knocked down a midrange jumper, Cabbil came through with another big shot.

Freshman guard Hansel Atencia maneuvered his way through the Summit defense and dished the ball to an open Cabbil, who drained his second three-pointer of the night to make it 17-4 with 14:16 remaining in the first half.

The freshman’s three-ball sparked a devastating 15-6 run from the Flames over the next six minutes.

Maxwell, who finished with 14 points, continued to assert his dominance in the paint, getting continuous touches down low.

His advantage caused Summit’s defense to converge on the sophomore, leading to open men along the perimeter. “(Getting the ball to Maxwell) is our No. 1 option,” Cabbil said.

“Once he gets going, the defense has to collapse on him. And that just leaves the court open for all the shooters we have.”

The Flames inside-out game, partnered with the driving of Atencia and redshirt senior Anthony Fields, led to Liberty shooting a blistering 63 percent (9-14) from behind the arc in the first half.

Of those nine first half three pointers, Cabbil was responsible for five, including one right before halftime. Going into the half, Liberty held a commanding 52-25 lead.

“The difference was we were more unselfish,” sophomore guard Ryan Kemrite said. “We were getting a lot of open shots because we were playing for each other.”

Kemrite, who scored a game-

Leah Seavers | Liberty Champion

BIG MAN — As the tallest player on the team, Evan Maxwell often finds himself battling in the paint. high 22 points, further praised his teammates on their second performance of the season.

“People were more settled in on offense,” Kemrite said. “We were getting in the paint … that was more of what we are going to be like as a team.”

10 seconds into the second half, Kemrite and the Flames picked up exactly where they left off in the first. Maxwell earned his second assist of the game after finding an open Kemrite for a quick three.

This set the tone for the remainder of the half, and ultimately the game. Liberty’s 27-point halftime lead eventually ballooned to a crushing 41 points. The undersized Summit team never cut the deficit, as the Flames held out for a dominating 90-52 victory.

“What I thought we were, most of all offensively, was balanced,” Flames Head Coach Ritchie McKay said. “We were making the extra pass, which has been characteristic of this group in practice,

but certainly not last night.”

The Flames look to remain undefeated when they face off against the William & Mary Tribe, Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Vines Center.

HAYWOOD is the editor-in-chief.

Back-to-back?

National Champions look to repeat Denton Day dday26@liberty.edu

Winning a national championship is one of the most difficult roads traveled in the world of sports. There is a small list of things that are more challenging, but on the top of that list is repeating as champions.

The Liberty University Club wrestling team won its first National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) National Championship March 12, 2015. The team had finished third-place as a team twice and was the runner-up in 2014, according to Club Sports.

“We had the talent last year to the point where if we didn’t win a national championship I should have been fired,” Head Coach Jesse Castro said. “When you prepare for a championship for 12 months, to be able to reap the rewards of hard labor is always rewarding.”

The Flames had two wrestlers bring home the individual state titles for their weight class in 2015. Ryan Diehl captured his second straight NCWA national championship in the 141-pound class and was named “Most Outstanding Wrestler” after picking up a decision (11-1) win in the finals per NCWA. Josh Llopez also won an individual national championship in the 174-pound class for the Flames. Nine of the 17 wrestlers the Flames brought to the tournament achieved All-American status, per Club Sports.

The Flames have their work cut out for them because both Diehl and Llopez are no longer on the team. Diehl transferred up to a higher division program joining the Big Ten’s Maryland Terrapins, according to the University of Maryland athletics website.

“We’re working with a very young team this year,” Castro said. “We’re rebuilding, (2015) was rewarding but we see the reality behind what we’re dealing with now.”

There are currently 13 freshman on the Flames roster and seven sophomores which means over half of the roster have a year or less of experience wrestling at the college level.

“There is a winning mindset here,” Castro said. “The legacy that a team (leaves) says a lot. It tells the team that follows them that it can be done. Hard work pays off and it can be done. We’ve been here before.”

Castro emphasized to the young wrestlers on the team to take advantage of the legacy last year’s team left. Confidence is one of the most important things he wants the team to have. Going into every dual or invitational all the teams are going to give the Flames their best because they are champions. Castro and his coaching staff want to make the team excited for that.

DAY is a sports reporter.

FYI The Flames had two separate invitational meets in which they competed Nov. 7. In the Messiah Invitational the Flames placed fifth overall scoring 58 points. The other invitational was held in Virginia Beach. The Flames placed third and had three wrestlers finish in first place.

Sophomore Jonah Swinson won the 141-pound class, sophomore Michael Bryant won the 149-pound class and senior Josh Travers won the 235-pound class.

Kevin Manguiob | Liberty News Service

DENIED — A blocked field goal sent the Flames to a victory over Coastal last year.

COASTAL continued from B1 “People find little spots all over campus,” Director of Athletics Jeff Barber said. “I’ve had people here from other leagues say that (we) have a lot of people tailgating, a lot more than other schools do.”

While specified parking lots will be coned off all day, those with tailgating parking passes will be permitted to park at any time on game day, according to Guridy.

What About Classes?

Classes will not be canceled. While faculty and staff get off at 3 p.m. in honor of faculty appreciation day, those with classes remaining after that time are still obligated to teach them in their respective time slot.

Barber’s message to students who complain about there not being enough time to prepare their painted bodies and posters prior to kick-off was, “they’ll have to do it a little quicker.”

Jesse Rogers | Liberty Champion

VICTORIOUS — Flames wrestling.

What’s In It For Me? While Liberty football games are normally equipped with promotional giveaways, there will be extra incentives to not only come to the game, but also stay for “Four Quarters of Fury” during the Coastal game.

Kicking off the week is a banner contest. Students who submitted their bed-

sheet decorated with “Beat Coastal” propaganda by Nov. 16 have a chance to win a grand prize of $1,000.

For those who crave healthy competition, a brother-sister dorm contest is in place. Students will swipe in while entering and exiting the stadium, and the group with the highest percentage of students who stay the entire game will win.

There are three different groups of halls depending on their group size, and the winner of each bracket will win a free catered Super Bowl party on the Club Level of Williams Stadium, per an online press release.

Moreover, the first 5,000 fans wearing Liberty red will receive a limited edition Flames Alpine Hat upon entering the gates.

The Big Picture With all of the fanfare and commotion that goes into a weeknight college football game, some might ponder whether or not it is worth it. However, Barber said, “It’s going to give us an opportunity to showcase to the nation who Liberty is.”

“Liberty is unbelievable,” Barber said.

“It’s a wonderful place, and this game allows us an opportunity to get that message out to people.”

KEATING is a sports reporter.

feature

Liberty Champion | November 17, 2015 | B5

Lynchbrrr coming soon Lynchstock Music Festival presents a winter extension of the popular event Greg Castel gcastel@liberty.edu

Three years ago, the city of Lynchburg was introduced to the first Lynchstock Music Festival. At first, it was a backyard getup that involved a total of four local bands. Lynchstock 2013 sparked a desire for two friends in the city, Jonathan Smalt and the late Jonathan David Gregoire, to have what is now called Lynchstock Music Festival.

Lynchstock Music Festival is designed to bring together the people of central Virginia to see artists perform and to collect local small businesses and the community of Lynchburg together.

After Gregoire died in a train accident in the fall of 2014, the following Lynchstock Music Festival in the spring was commemorated in his honor.

With three years of the festival running and improving year-to-year, Smalt is using the power of community and collaboration to bring the city of Lynchburg a new and innovative event this December, “Lynchbrrr Winter Music Festival.”

The event will be held in different venues downtown on December 4th and 5th.

“After the success of Lynchstock in April, we couldn’t wait for a whole year before doing another event,” Smalt said.

Nathan McGlothin, the production manager, is a Lynchburg native working in the music scene and is heavily involved in the coordination of the two-day event.

“I would say (Lynchbrrr’s) a few things,” McGlothlin said. “For one, it’s simply an extension of the ‘Lynchstock’ effort, which has always been to celebrate music and visual art that reveals itself to the Hill City. We host artists who call Lynchburg home … In another vein, ‘Lynchbrrr’ is a unique opportunity to introduce

Photo Provided

FIRST — Lynchstock Music Festival will present winter-themed, Lynchbrrr Dec. 4-5. the multi-venue model to our city.”

Smalt believes that this town is ready for something that can continually move into the direction of festivals in the likes of Austin, Texas’ South by Southwest Festival, or Bonaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.

“The holiday season is littered with the “get together” mindset,” McGlothlin said. “Town carnivals, work parties, special events in retail establishments, church services — people are ready to enjoy time with each other.”

In the month of September, an event known as “Get Downtown” is held where Main Street in downtown Lynchburg is closed off for the small businesses, food trucks and live music.

“Where the idea solidified for me was when I visited a music festival in Cleve-

land, Ohio, called ‘Brite Winter,’” Smalt said. “I was playing drums for a songwriter, and it was in the middle of February.

Most of the stages were outdoors. The air was frigidly around 12 degrees, and it was snowing during our set. Regardless, over 20,000 people showed up and supported local music and culture. Though everyone was freezing, there was such a tangible excitement in the air. It was during this set that I thought, ‘Lynchburg needs our own version of this.’”

The Friday events of Lynchbrrr Winter Music Festival will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Academy of Fine Arts with a documentary film of Lynchstock along with other films for the Lynchburg 48 Hour Film Project. This will be the first incorporation of film into the Lynchstock Music Festival according to Smalt. Following

TRAINER continued from B8

Leah Seavers | Liberty Champion

FANS — Dawning bright colors, Jerry’s Jokers cheered on the Flames.

JOKERS continued from B8 Young said Jerry’s Jokers have two main goals: cheer on the Flames and keep the opposing team from playing their best game.

“We just try to get loud (when Liberty is) on defense,” Young said. “That’s the biggest thing we try to do. The easiest thing that a crowd can do in terms of messing up (the opposing team) is making it hard for them to communicate on offense. That’s our biggest goal — to be really good fans and give Liberty a home field advantage.”

Their position right behind the opposing team’s sideline gives them ample opportunity to distract the team as much as possible over the course of four quarters. The players and coaches have no choice but to put up with whatever Jerry’s Jokers give them.

“A lot of the players you can distract better if you just have fun with them, so we like to joke around with them,” Young said.

“It’s nothing that’s mean spirited but just stuff that’s going to get them and their teammates laughing at each other.”

One such tactic includes chanting for the opponent’s coach to the put in one of the backup players. During the game versus Presbyterian Nov. 7, chants of “Put Rob (Presbyterian’s backup offensive lineman) in!” echoed through their sections to the amusement of some of the offensive lineman’s

teammates. Apparently it works sometimes, as Young said an opposing team’s backup quarterback once called them “the funniest fans he’s ever seen” and even became friends with some of the Jokers on Facebook afterward.

Although their seats are up close with the opponent, their true focus is on celebrating with the Flames. When Liberty scores a touchdown, the Jokers erupt with the rest of the stadium.

“It’s an absolute mosh pit,” Young said. “That’s one of my favorite things, when you get to see the guys go completely crazy. … It’s a fun way to celebrate.”

Seated high up on the other side of the stadium, the man they are named after has taken notice and encourages the fan base, saying he’s “very honored” to have his name attached to the group, even sometimes inviting them up to the president’s box during the game for a visit.

“Fan clubs like Jerry’s Jokers create a lasting impression on the student body and on the fans that endures for decades,” Falwell said. “They make the game day experience more exciting and more fun for all and that, in turn, increases attendance and support for the program.”

Win or lose, three full hours of screaming for their team at the top of their lungs does have some lingering effects. Their singing voices might not sound too good at church the next morning.

CLARKE is a copy editor.

“And I like learning what makes things click for them. I just love training. It’s so much fun.”

Denton continued training service dogs through her sophomore year at Rollins, and said that after spending two years at the college, she felt the need to transfer to another school. Her younger sister was soon to begin her freshman year at Liberty University, and Denton said she decided to tag along. So, in the fall of 2014, Denton and her newest service dog, Revere, became members of the Liberty community.

“I was craving so badly to have the Christian atmosphere, and to be surrounded by people that were like-minded,” Denton said. “I just absolutely love Liberty. It’s the best school I could have ever come up with. … Even though it’s a huge school, I just love that it’s so tight knit and that you can find a group to really fit in with. And there’s always something to do here.”

This year, Denton can be seen on campus with her 7-month-old golden retriever puppy, Rollins.

Because service dogs have to learn to adapt to various social situations, the two frequent restaurants, malls and movie theaters. Rollins also accompanies Denton to classes and Convocation, and rides the bus with Denton to and from school every day.

“The best compliment for a service dog handler is when you get up from a restaurant or anything, and (someone says), ‘Oh, I didn’t even know there was a dog here,’” Denton said. “So that’s my goal.”

According to Denton, training a service dog is not easy. It is an endeavor that requires a significant investment of time and money, as well as patience. Denton spends about 30 minutes to an hour every day just working on specific tasks with Rollins, such as teaching him to open doors. She also has to teach Rollins how to behave around different types of people.

“I hate breaking people’s hearts all day long, when they ask to pet him and they can’t,” Rollins said. “He has to learn to focus on me, and if he tries to pull over to say hi to people, it could hurt his person. … Talk to the person first. A lot of people have the desire to walk up and just start talking to the dog and forget that there’s a person attached to that dog, so just speak to the person and get to know the person first. … Be a friend.

Don’t just stare. Go over there and strike up a conversation, and treat them like you would treat anybody else.”

For Denton, the most difficult part of raising a service dogs is having to give them up after spending more than a year with them. Even though Denton has raised four other service dogs, she said that saying goodbye never gets any easier, but knowing that another person’s quality of life will be improved makes the separation worth it.

“When I get to see my dogs go to their person, their forever person, it’s an honor for me to be a part of that because I know how much of a difference a dog makes in that person’s life,”

the movie, at 8 p.m., shows of all kinds will kick off in three venues including spoken word, poetry and music.

Saturday will be a larger ticketed event at the Academy of Fine Arts from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. For a price of $12, attendees will enjoy a concert from bands like Civil Twilight, The Vespers, Forlorn Strangers, Native Spirit, Dogwood & Holly, FIN and Lloyd Harmon.

At the previous Lynchstock Music Festival, the parents of Gregoire were in attendance enjoying the event as honored guests. According to Jon Gregoire’s father, Mark Gregoire, events are not meant to make a large profit instead they are designed to be as affordable as possible, without sacrificing quality, giving some of the money to local non-profit ministries after expenses. Mark Gregoire says this was a point from the big picture that the two Jon’s had put together after the music festival of 2014.

“Social media will be abuzz with pictures, videos and clever quips about some cool thing that people had never experienced before. It will be a ‘You had to be there’ event,” McGlothlin said.

The lineup is already set for the bands scheduled to perform and for the vendors and local business gathering December 4 and 5. There will be a variety of musical genres including folk, indie, hip-hop, alternative rock and hard rock.

“I can’t wait to see how this community joins together to support music and the arts,” Smalt said.

For more information of the music festival and updates on the event, visit lynchstockmusicfestival.com or search Lynchstock Presents: Lynchbrrr on Facebook.

CASTEL is a sports reporter.

Denton said. “So, I’m OK with crying. Every single time that I turn them in, the day before I’m looking at the dog and (I’m) like, ‘Why do I do this?’ But then I get the puppy the next day, and I’m like, ‘This is why I do this.’ … When they get their person, the joy that you have is just unimaginable and great.”

Denton said that people with disabilities sometimes have to wait two or more years to receive a service dog, because the demand is so high.

She emphasized the need for more trainers, and recommended Saint Francis Service Dogs of Roanoke, Virginia, for those interested in getting involved locally.

Looking to the future, Denton — who graduates next December — said she hopes to make a career of training service dogs.

“Dog trainers don’t make a lot of money, but this is my passion, and so I’m willing to make a lot of other sacrifices to be able to continue doing this,” Denton said.

Ultimately, Denton trains service dogs because she loves people.

“I want people with disabilities to be able to experience life the same way we do as much as possible,” Denton said. “And so, training a service dog for somebody that can provide them with that independence. Just simple things that we take for granted, (like) dropping your keys and you need someone to come pick that up for you or opening a door. If I can train a dog to be able to allow (someone) to be a little more independent, I think that that is a great way to show God’s love to other people. … I just want to be able to do something that outlasts me. That when people think of me, they can see that I made a difference in the community, even if it’s just a small little thing.”

To learn more about Denton and Rollins, follow Denton on Instagram: @Raising_Liberty.

GRAF is a feature reporter.

Michela Diddle | Liberty Champion

PUPPY LOVE — Rachel Denton and Rollins.

feature

B6 | November 17, 2015 | Liberty Champion

Racing to remember 5 Miler honors a former Liberty ROTC professor, Army Major Mike Donahue Karalynn Blatchford kblatchford@liberty.edu

Michela Diddle | Liberty Champion

TRAILBLAZING — Runners traversed hilly terrain to complete the 5-mile race.

Liberty University celebrated Military Emphasis week to raise support and awareness for men and women who are serving or who have served in the United States military. As part of this week, Liberty remembered U.S. Army Major Mike Donahue in the Valley View/Mike Donahue 5 Miler.

Major Mike Donahue was part of Liberty’s ROTC program as an assistant professor of military science according to honorary plaque placed at the trail head.

He served honorably, receiving numerous decorations including the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Metal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge and the Senior Parachutist Badge. He was killed in action in Afghanistan on Sept. 16, 2014.

Josh Yeoman, director of Outdoor Recreation for Student Activities, was a personal friend of Mike Donahue and coordinated the race Saturday, Nov. 14.

“When (Mike Donahue) passed away his family had mentioned that they would really like to have a trail … just named after him,” Yeoman said. “And so I got connected with one of his former students who is an LU alum … he was here last week to dedicate the trial, and (he) helped raise some funds together with Liberty to erect the monument and then we put the trail in place.”

The actual race, previously known as the Valley View Five Miler, was created by Mike Donahue in 2009. In 2012, it became part of Military Appreciation Week activities. Now the race is a memorial to the man who created it according to Liberty’s website.

“It is a hard course,” Yeoman said. “… [Mike Donahue] liked to take people

down hills and up hills and back down hills and back up hills.”

The course is five miles, starting and ending at the Snowflex Centre. The course was marked with arrows on the ground, streamers, arrows on the trees and trailblazers. There were two aid stations with water and Gatorade at the 1.3 miles and 3.5 miles.

Dense leaves cover certain parts of the trail and runners were warned to take caution.

The race even has an uphill finish.

DONAHUE “Honestly, that was way harder than the (half marathons) I’ve done,” Kirkland Gee, a Liberty student, said. “With all the hills, it was probably the hardest course I’ve ran. It was one of my favorites too though. It was so much fun.”

There were a wide variety of runners that ranged in age and experience.

“It’s all sorts of people,” Yeoman said.

“We have 30 people that are registered as military members either past or present … and we have a little friendly competition between the different branches … we do a winner between the branches by taking the average of the top three.”

The results of the friendly competition ended up with the Navy in third place having an average of 57:23; second place was the Marine Core at 51:39. First place was Mike Donahue’s own branch, the Army, at 50:33.

BLATCHFORD is a feature reporter.

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feature

Liberty Champion | November 17, 2015 | B7

Preparing the stage Behind the scenes of the Liberty theater production “Meet Me in St. Louis” Emma Jane Maurer emaurer@liberty.edu

When most people see a show at the theater, they often take in the spectacle before them without realizing the amount of work and preparation that goes into putting that show on the stage.

For the cast and crew of Liberty University’s Department of Theatre Arts’ production of “Meet Me in St. Louis,” it was about a four-and-a-half to five week process, both in rehearsals and in production, prior to beginning performances, according to director Chris Nelson.

The cast and crew met for the first time Oct. 12, where the director and designers presented their concepts and ideas to the cast.

“As a director, it’s my job to tell (the story) as dynamic, exciting, believable and truthful as possible,” Nelson said. “It’s my job to bring all the design elements on the same page — to have a concept, a unifying vision, for what we want to do.”

For this show, Nelson decided to focus on the strong bonds binding the Smith family, the main subjects of the show. “(The story is about a) family having roots in St. Louis and having relationships that run deep,” Nelson said.

Nelson also used the image of a music box to guide his inspiration for the show.

“When you’re in the design aspect, you use things that inspire you or that you connect with,” Nelson said. “The idea of a music box connected with us. The turntable (on which the set is built) houses the home, but just the sides of it. The roof comes up which is like a music box because you lift the lid and the music plays and life begins inside.”

The idea for the turntable was a process.

“We originally tried approaching this not using a turntable,” Connie Hecker, assistant theatre professor and scenic designer, said.

“One of the biggest challenges is how we get from inside to outside (of the house.)

I came up with the idea of using a turn-

Photo Provided

PLANS — The theater department used a computer program to design the set layout. table and having a central core from which radiates the locations inside the house, which then ties into the movement of things at the Fair, such as the Ferris wheel or carousels.”

After the initial design meeting, the individual designers begin their separate processes, meeting once a week to discuss their progress.

“You start off with the director’s point of view, which is how I see the world and the ideas behind it,” Nelson said. “The designers take that and come up with their own ideas. We keep meeting, collaborating and solving problems. (At the meetings,) everybody has an opportunity to say, ‘Here’s where I’m at.’ Many challenges get worked through at that point. That’s the beauty of it, if you speak and communicate clearly on the front end of a project, the back end is so much smoother.”

Budgets and manpower are additional topics discussed at the meetings.

“People talk through their budgets and what they are going to spend,” Nelson said. “We have to first make sure after we get the design, (we answer questions such as) ‘What will it cost?,’ ‘Do we have the time and manpower to build?,’ ‘Do we

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have facilities to build and store things?’”

Immediately after the initial design meeting, the cast began rehearsals, working on vocals with David Hahn and Samuel Wellman, both professors in the School of Music. After a week of vocal rehearsals, the cast spent a week learning choreography from Liberty theatre alumna Rachel Osterhus. Before moving from the rehearsal room to the Tower stage, they worked with Nelson on figuring out where to enter and stand and when to exit the stage.

The final step in the rehearsal process is moving from the rehearsal room to the stage, which serves as a chance for actors to become acquainted with the new space and account for differences between the settings before opening night. One of the challenges this show provides the cast is navigating a two-story set and simulating that in the rehearsal space.

“When you have a turntable with three different sets on it, how do you replicate that in a rehearsal room?” Nelson said.

“Theatre usually tapes out the set (and the tape) is colored, so people can know what’s what. The problem is, there’s only one floor and when you have somebody up high, they’re still on the same plane as

the (person) on the floor. As a director, you have a hard time keeping the image clear.

You have to remember one person’s up high, they’re not on the same level.”

Nelson is not the only one affected by the move.

“The students don’t get an idea until the turntable and house are built,” Nelson said.

“They can get somewhat of an idea, but it really is a relearning process because we have to make adjustments. Maybe something isn’t as wide or tall as we thought it was going to be.”

Another challenge Nelson stressed dealt with the technical components.

“We will have to work out the turntable,” Nelson said. “Somebody has to run it. We have to know where it starts and stops.

When we fly things in, we have to know where they stop and where they go and set their limits. When it comes to the trolley, it’s actor-driven, so (we have to figure out) how do we do this safely without crashing into the audience?”

Commenting on the challenges of the trolley, Hecker noted the size of the cast and limited stage spaces as issues from the scenic perspective. “(Nelson) needs 20 people on the trolley and we have such limited stage-left space,”Hecker said. “How do we put something in there that can move from one side of the stage to the other and back again?”

According to Nelson, overcoming obstacles and learning how to manage stage space and actors is all a part of the preproduction and rehearsal process in order to ensure the best possible outcome for opening night.

“Meet Me in St. Louis” opens Dec. 4 at the Tower Theater and runs through Dec. 13. The show dates are Dec. 4, 5, 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 5 and 12 at 2:00 p.m. and Dec. 6 and 13 at 3:00 p.m.

For more information about the show or tickets, visit liberty.edu/theatre.

MAURER is a feature reporter.

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FEATURE

B8

Legacy lives on

November 17, 2015

why so serious?

Jon Gregoire’s vision continues Matt Pierce mpierce17@liberty.edu

The legacy of Jonathan Gregoire continues still through Mustache for Missions and the Lynchstock Music Festival.

Gregoire died on Nov. 8, 2014 around 4 p.m., after being struck by a train while he was on a railroad trestle over the James River near Riverside Park, only a month before the second annual Lynchstock Music Festival.

While a student at Liberty University, Gregoire was a business major and served as a prayer and life group leader through the Office of Student Leadership. Gregoire also made efforts to connect the Lynchburg community as well as take the gospel to the ends of the earth. Gregoire had two projects which incorporated both of these goals, Lynchstock Music Festival and Mustache for Missions.

“There was never an interaction with him where it wasn’t authentic and genuinely true,” Jonathan Smalt, co-founder of Lynchstock Music Festival, said. “… Jon really did impact people in ways that most humans don’t.”

Gregoire’s impact showed Nov. 10, 2014, the night of the candlelight vigil, where hundreds showed up to mourn and celebrate his life.

“You can’t preserve his legacy because he affected so many people in so many different ways that you can’t bottle that up,” Smalt said.

“We’re not preserving it, we’re carrying it.”

Months before his death, Gregoire launched his Mustache for Missions campaign.

The campaign helped send five students at Liberty University on missions to spread the gospel in multiple countries over the summer.

Students sold shirts to help fund their trips and some even sported mustaches for the month of March, like senior Nicolas Posada.

Posada went to France and North Africa and the 50 T-shirts he sold helped fund more than 50 percent of his trip. Posada, an international student from Colombia, plans to return to Colombia as a pilot in the Amazon region.

Posada explained Gregoire, as an encourager and a man full of vision. When discussing what he learned from Gregoire he stated to “live a life of example.”

According to James Black, the creator of the website “We are Jon’s Vision,” Mustache for Missions has not ended since Gregoire’s death and the Gregoire family and he are working to see Mustache for Missions continue.

“We are Jon’s Vision” is a website that exists to commemorate Gregoire and the life he lived. The website is compiled of more than 400 pictures of Gregoire as well as more than 200 stories that people posted about Gregoire and their memories with him. Black described the website as an “electronic scrapbook.”

“We want this site to resonate with many people at Liberty and the Lynchburg community as well,” Black said. “And we hope that this will eventually generate interest in building a new team to help fundraise for Mustache for Missions.”

The website was launched on the one year anniversary of Gregoire’s death and is continuously seeing updates to help tell Gregoire’s story better according to Black. Lynchstock Music Festival will present Lynchbrrr, December 4 and 5, which will also commemorate the life of Gregoire and feature a special Lynchstock documentary, “We Are Lynchburg: The story of Lynchstock Music Festival Premiere.”

PIERCE is a feature reporter.

Photo Provided

GOALS — Jonathan Gregoire wanted to share the gospel and influence community.

Leah Seavers | Liberty Champion

SPIRITED — Jerry’s Jokers face paint includes a white base with a stretched red smile and a dark blue coat around the eyes.

The original joker Joey Nickerson started the fanbase in the fall of 2011 Jacob Clarke jlclarke3@liberty.edu

Joey Nickerson stared at himself in the mirror of his residence hall room before a Liberty University football game back in 2011. He wondered what he could do to demonstrate his support for the team and cheer on the Flames.

His answer now comes to life on the front rows of home football games, spanning all the way from the 30-yard line on one side of the field to the 35-yard line on the other half. It is sometimes close to 100 students, all packed on the first three rows, practically falling over the railing, waving Liberty flags, and screaming over top of the opposing team’s huddles. But those antics are not their most distinctive features.

Nickerson said he loosely based the idea off the Joker from the 2008 film “The Dark Knight.”

“We would do white first on the whole face, then the blue eyes, then the red mouth, and we ran

paint through our hair,” Nickerson said.

In addition to their all-red bodies, Nickerson, then a junior, and the few other students who first joined him topped off their characters with a painted tie or bow tie and suspenders.

Keep it classy.

Nickerson said by the end of the season, almost everyone on his hall had joined — 30 or 40 students, calling themselves the Jokers, all rushing to get the seats right behind the opposing team’s bench. When Nickerson moved off campus for his senior year, he passed the torch off to BJ Cook, who was set to be a Resident Assistant (RA) on a hall the next year. Cook continued to encourage the fandom on his hall over the next two years, and it continued to grow. Two students on that year’s hall, Jesse Pausch, now a graduate student, and Josh Young, now a senior, earned RA positions on other halls the following year, so instead of just one hall painting up, it grew to three. This season, four halls, 25-1, 252, 25-3 and Commons I floor 5 all show

up in large numbers, with students from other halls welcome to jump in.

“It’s pretty crazy that it started with just this random idea as I was looking at my face in the mirror figuring out what I should do,” Nickerson said. “Now it’s something Liberty does at football games. It’s their thing now.”

The fan base now refers to themselves as Jerry’s Jokers, named after President Jerry Falwell in a convenient case of alliteration. Young took the helm when Cook graduated in May 2015 and now coordinates Jerry’s Jokers, getting new students on board. His first year, he experienced what he believes is one of the appeals in deciding to go all out for the games.

“Jerry’s Jokers is really how I made a lot of my friends,” Young said. “It was something we all did together. … It’s really tied into the community of (the hall).”

See JOKERS, B5

Full-time trainer Rachel Denton balances studies and service dogs Rachael Graf rgraf5@liberty.edu

Faith without action is dead. And for Rachel Denton, putting her faith into action looks like training service dogs.

“I’m very much a doer,” Denton said.

“I don’t just think that you should say, ‘Oh, this needs to be changed,’ or ‘We should do this.’ I really feel like you should get your hands dirty, and if you see a problem, fix it.”

Originally from Orlando, Florida, Denton is a senior majoring in human services. An animal-lover from a young age, Denton trained her 8-year-old black Labrador retriever to be a therapy dog when she was in high school, and the two began visiting hospitals and nursing homes on the weekends. She also regularly volunteered with children with special needs at her local church.

“In high school, I really learned to love people with special needs,” Denton said.

“And I worked with children with autism a lot in high school, so I sort of combined my love of training (dogs) with people with special needs.”

In the fall of 2012, Denton began her

freshman year at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, and soon began training service dogs with her aunt for New Horizons Service Dogs, a nonprofit organization seeking to help people with mobility impairments. Denton trained two puppies that year, for four months each. Denton trained her puppies Friday through Monday, and her aunt trained the same puppies Tuesday through Thursday. At the end of the training period, the puppies became a part of New Horizons’ “Prison Pups” program, where they received further training from inmates for nine months to a year.

“That’s a really awesome program because it helps rehabilitate the prisoners, while also getting the dogs one-on-one, intense training,” Denton said.

On the last day of her freshman year of college, in the spring of 2013, Denton received an 8-week-old puppy, Sequoia, to train for a year.

“I just love that puppies are like sponges,” Denton said. “You start out with this blank slate. And I just really like to watch the process of them gaining confidence and learning the tasks. And I thought that I would get sick of it after

Michela Diddle | Liberty Champion

TRICK — Denton shakes Rollins paw. a while, because it’s the same thing every time, but every single time it’s exciting, because they all have different strengths and weaknesses.

See TRAINER, B5