Liberty champion november 12 2013

The Man Who Came to Dinner

Women’s soccer claims Big South title

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Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Today: Showers 44/25 Tomorrow: Sunny 44/25 Liberty University

libertychampion.com

Volume 31 • Issue 10

Cadets rank 3rd

‘13 Lynchburg, Va.

basketball begins

ROTC team earns honors Mark Tait mtait@liberty.edu

Liberty University’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program brought home a third-place trophy in the largeschool division of the fourth brigade after participating in the Ranger Challenge Competition with 39 other universities at Fort Pickett in Blackstone, Va., according to Jordan Scanlan, the team’s head coach.

Scanlan said the first day of competition challenged the combat skills of cadets while the second day primarily focused on critical thinking skills.

The Liberty team participated in 11 events throughout the two days and traveled 13.5 miles between the individual challenges. The total amount of time required to reach each event was factored into the final results as an event itself, according to Scanlan.

“The long movements between events with upwards of 40 pounds of gear over varied terrain were grueling,” Tyler Turgeau, the team’s captain and an Army Ranger, said. “Keeping the motivation up at those times was hard, but we managed and had a good overall time.”

Events included multiple scenarios that Scanlan said tested cadets’ physical and tactical abilities.

According to Scanlan, in one challenge, Liberty’s team traversed through a mock village, located a downed pilot, evaluated and treated his casualties, transported the pilot across the village to a field and called a helicopter with a radio the cadets assembled in order to evacuate the individual.

Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion

EFFORT — Liberty guard John Caleb Sanders scores against Randolph. See story on B1.

Looking back on JFK

James Siddons recalls seeing John F. Kennedy the day he was assassinated Greg Leasure

See RANGERS, A3

gleasure@liberty.edu

James Siddons, an adjunct professor in the Liberty University School of Music, came within 10 feet of history Nov. 22, 1963.

Just hours before President John F.

Kennedy was assassinated in downtown Dallas, Siddons, then 15 years old, positioned himself with his father on the side of Lover’s Lane at the Dallas Love Field Airport and watched as the president’s black convertible started the short drive to the downtown area.

“The talk everywhere was that Presi-

dent Kennedy was coming to Dallas,” Siddons said. “In those days, Dallas was still a fairly small Midwestern city that you rarely heard of. Whenever I heard Dallas mentioned on the TV or in the news,

See KENNEDY, A2

‘Forever families’ congregate

Blue Ridge Community Church holds an informal meeting about foster-to-adopt Nathan Skaggs ncskaggs@liberty.edu

Photo Provided

CHALLENGE — Cadets assess an injury.

It was standing room only at Blue Ridge Community Church Saturday, Nov. 9 as families met to learn about the process of becoming a forever family to a child

in need.

The Foster Hope Foundation hosted “Foster Forever Families Rally” to educate Christian families interested in fostering or adopting a child, according to David Gaines, founder and president of the foundation.

Gaines, who was adopted and has one adopted son, explained why the event was focused on Christian families interested in foster care or adoption.

“The government agencies cannot promote Christianity,” Gaines said. “Chris-

INSIDE THE CHAMPION News

Sports

Feature

A Liberty student is raising money to participate in The World Race in Sept. ’14. A7

Field Hockey won their first NorPac Championship Saturday, Nov. 9.

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Valley View 5k took place Nov. 9 at Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre.

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News Opinion Sports Feature

PUT CHRIST IN A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS Helping In Jesus’ Name *Photo: Pratham Books

Drop off box in Demoss Room 1035 by Nov. 15

tian families can introduce (the children) to Christ.

Christian families can raise them the way they should be, as the word of God says.”

See FOSTER, A8 A1 A4 B1 B8

NEWS

A2/Liberty Champion

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

Military discussed Future tuition addressed Joshua Janney jjanney@liberty.edu

Students gathered at the grand lobby of DeMoss Hall Wednesday, Nov. 6 for a VIP Panel hosted during Military Emphasis Week, which featured nine speakers from Washington, D.C. who answered various questions regarding the current state of the U.S. military.

The questions were moderated by retired Maj. Gen. Robert F. Dees, Liberty University’s associate vice president for Military Outreach.

One of the most prominent topics discussed at the panel was the future of tuition assistance for people in the military. While no one at the panel had a definitive answer to this issue, they all noted that current budget restrictions and future budget plans selected by the president would inevitably play a role.

“I think it is a priority of the president to preserve a lot of long-life programs to service members and their families as much as possible,” Lt. Cmdr. Rob Niemeyer said. “Budgets are going to get cut, so I think there will be some sort of cuts to our tuitions assistance.”

Another issue reviewed at the panel was the treatment of soldiers returning to America from the war. Sgt. Larry Provost said the transition could be difficult.

“I think there is a lot of fear and uncertainty,” Provost said. “For some soldiers, this was the sole thing they want to do in life. They served their country, and they served it honorably. They nearly died and lost parts of themselves.”

Dees noted that many veterans are unable to adjust to their new lives.

“The latest statistic is 22 veterans across the land will kill themselves a day,” Dees said. “So we are talking huge numbers. Now military leadership is doing everything they can to keep those troops and their families taken care of appropriately, all the while they are dealing with the realities of budget.”

According to Col. Inez Sookma, soldiers returning to America with symptoms like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are a major issue.

“Sometimes we don’t see the symptoms of (PTSD) for a while, you don’t always see it right away,” Sookma said. “A lot of times they are holding it in, and it’s not visible to everybody. And it just explodes in some cases. It just comes out.”

Another potential problem, according to Sookma, is the impact of budget cuts on care of military equipment.

“The concern with the budget cuts is that you are affecting the long-term readiness of our units and the concern that we will not be able to provide the maintenance that is required of the equipment that we have on hand,” Sookma said.

Col. Tyra Harding said that, although the United States Army recognizes their challenges and shortcomings, they are making an effort to help the soldiers’ mental health through numerous campaigns. According to Harding, it is the responsibility of the leadership within the Army to address whatever problems the soldiers face.

“The United States Army is very active and proactive in recognizing the issues that our soldiers may have,” Harding said. “This is about campaigns and policies and procedures that allow the soldiers to come forward if they have a concern or issue whether it’s PTSD, whether it’s a sexual harassment order or whether it’s a suicide issue that they can come forward and seek help.”

JANNEY is a news reporter.

Google Images

DALLAS — Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly assassinated John F. Kennedy Nov. 22, 1963 as he rode through Dealey Plaza.

KENNEDY continued from A1 I got excited that somewhere in the outside world, they know we’re here. That was part of the excitement of the president coming.”

Hours later, Siddons said his 9th grade algebra teacher informed them that Kennedy had been assassinated near an area where Commerce, Main and Elm Streets intersect and pass under railroad tracks, commonly referred to as the Triple Underpass.

“It was two or three minutes of just shock,” Siddons said. “… I’m still absorbing it.”

According to Siddons, about half of his 9th grade classmates skipped classes in the morning despite the announcement that absences would not be excused. Had it not been for his father’s desire to get him back to school, Siddons’ story would have changed dramatically.

“I remember the night before and the morning too, I asked my dad if we could go downtown to the Triple Underpass

because we could walk out on the tracks and watch the motorcade go right under us,” Siddons said. “… My dad said no because the traffic would be heavy, and he didn’t know if he could get me back to school in time. I was really disappointed, but had we done that, I would have been right there looking down on the whole bit.”

Nearly 50 years after an event that changed America, Siddons reflected on the impact Kennedy’s assassination had on both his life and the reputation of Dallas.

“Here’s this assassination in a town that neither (Kennedy nor alleged gunman Lee Harvey Oswald) had any deep roots in, but yet it became to characterize Dallas,” Siddons said. “And that’s what I had to live with in the coming years.”

According to Siddons, people’s perception of Dallas often colored the way they viewed him as a person until they got to know him. In 1970, he met five French boys on a train, and after learning he was from Dallas, one of them be-

gan making shooting motions with his hand, communicating his impression of people from Dallas.

Comparing the world as it was 50 years ago to now, Siddons emphasized that political and cultural turmoil are nothing new.

“There’s so much violence in the world, you would think, since the new millennium, but if you go back 50 years or 100 years, there were violent wars and assassinations then too,” Siddons said. “It’s a frightening world, but it’s not really new. It just seems to be thrust at you more directly now with the constant media.”

While some people are fascinated by conspiracy theories and possible reasons for the assassination, Siddons prefers to focus on the cultural implications of the event. According to him, the assassination only furthers his belief that the world has a need for the grace of Jesus.

LEASURE is the editor-in-chief.

Ratio Christi hosts speaker

Dr. Fowler spoke to students about the issue of genocide in the Old Testament Ryan Fowle rfowle@liberty.edu

Liberty University’s chapter of Ratio Christi hosted Dr. Donald Fowler Tuesday, Nov. 5, who spoke to the students about the issue of genocide in the Old Testament.

Ratio Christi, which is Latin for “The Reason of Christ,” is an international organization that, according to their website, “equips university students and faculty to give historical, philosophical and scientific reasons for following Jesus Christ.”

According to Dr. Mark Foreman, director of the Liberty Ratio Christi chapter, the Ratio Christi event brought out a crowd of about 180 students who filled all the seats in the room and even spilled out into the halls.

“I thought it was really good,” junior Ben Bechtal said. “I thought it was insightful. I liked how he was just very honest about what he thought.

I really enjoyed how he tied it all back to the gospel.”

Senior Ryan Lanning said he really enjoyed the event and hopes to see a panel discussion at some point in the future with some of the undergraduate professors.

According to Fowler, he has been a professor of biblical studies at Liberty since 1998 and focuses on both present and past issues regarding the Bible and Israel.

The Liberty chapter of Ratio Christi was established the beginning of the 2012 fall semester and has already gained significant support from the student body. Foreman said student reaction and involvement with the club has been progressing well so far. “(Liberty’s chapter of Ratio Christi) is doing pretty good for its second year,” Foreman said. “It’s coming along well.

We’re excited about things that are happening.”

According to Foreman, the purpose of Ratio Christi is generally directed more at establishing chapters on secular college campuses when students typically have their faith

challenged more often. The chapter at Liberty is aimed more at preparing students with the answer to questions that they may encounter by family at home, friends and peers.

“We offer training classes in answering the main questions that are usually asked: How do you know God exists?”

Foreman said. “How do you know the Bible is really true?

How do you know Jesus Christ really was God? And we give (students) training sessions on how to be able to answer those questions so that they can go out then and talk to other people and help them answer them as well.”

Ratio Christi offers many activities throughout the year, according to Foreman.

“In the fall, we do a book study, and any members that want to come are welcome to join,” Foreman said. “Our book study this fall is on Paul Cohan’s book, ‘Is God a Moral Monster?’”

According to Foreman, Ratio Christi will also travel out

and minister to churches in the area.

“This summer, for example, we did a 10-week kind of Sunday evening class at a church over in Richmond where we went out, and different members of the club actually went out, and spoke on different issues.”

Ratio Christi is an active and growing apologetics club that is seeking to expand with new members and more involvement within the community, according to their website.

“We’re always welcome to invite people in,” Foreman said. “You don’t have to do anything to be a member any more than just come to the meetings.”

According to their website, for students who want “No more blind faith,” Ratio Christi is always seeking to answer the questions that arise against Christianity.

FOWLE is a news reporter.

VISIT THE CHAMPION’S WEBSITE AT LIBERTYCHAMPION. COM. CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK. 1.LIBERTY HOSTS COLLEGE FOR A WEEKEND NOV. 7-10.

2. HACKING GROUP, ANONYMOUS, REOPENS RAPE CASE.

3. MEN’S VOLLEYBALL WINS THEIR FINAL HOME GAME, 3-0.

NEWS

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

Liberty Champion/A3

Hubbards start organization Alumni enable church planting in lower-class communities worldwide by starting Living Bread Ministries Kristen Hines kahines@liberty.edu

“The gospel does not typically move from the top down. It doesn’t move from the powerful and strong to the weak. It moves from the weak and it permeates a society,� Patrick Hubbard said.

This belief led Liberty alumni Patrick and Barbara Hubbard to begin Living Bread Ministries in 2004, a church planting ministry among the globally poor.

According to Patrick Hubbard, church planting is typically done with the upper and middle classes, while only humanitarian work is done among the poor. “We are very unique in that I don’t know of another organization that takes our approach,� Patrick Hubbard said. “We go into a needy community, we plant a local church, and then we equip that church to do a lot of the humanitarian type ministry that other organizations often do. So we are really doing a lot of the same things that your World Vision and other types of ministries are doing. The difference is that we plant a church and then we equip that local church to do that ministry.�

The couple met at Jefferson Forest High School in Bedford County, Va., where Barbara Hubbard came as an exchange

RANGERS continued from A1 “There’s quite a bit of technical and leadership aspects that go into all that,�

Scanlan said.

In addition to placing third in the overall competition, Scanlan said the team brought home the first-place streamer for the individual rope bridge event. Liberty’s cadets were required to construct a bridge with a 125-foot-long rope and cross a body of water. “They did it in five minutes and 11 seconds, which is just astounding,� Scanlan said. “The team in second place was about two minutes behind them.�

Turgeau said the competition was grueling, but his

student from Brazil. They married immediately after high school and took a trip to Brazil in 1992. According to Patrick Hubbard, even as non-Christians, the couple had a burden for the poor. When they became Christians, the Lord took that burden and turned it into a deep desire to do something about it. “We started off in a denomination that was very focused on humanitarian type work,� Patrick Hubbard said. “We ended up in a denomination that was more evangelical. But our understanding of the church from early on was that it wasn’t an either or, it was a both, and we wanted to plant churches that were bringing both of those under the roof of a local church ministry.�

They took another trip to Brazil to find churches working with the globally poor, but only found two. “We spent a few months in the summer of 2004 with those churches,� Patrick Hubbard said. “We were learning about them and working with them. They really helped us shape our ultimate vision for church planting. It was really a vision that was shaped not only by the Spirit leading us, but he used the indigenous church in Brazil to help shape that vision for us.�

Living Bread Ministries is currently in southern Brazil and is expanding into

teammates motivated him to give his all. “I start to feel sorry for myself, and the thought of giving up creeps in,â€?Turgeau said. “By focusing on them, I avoid thinking about how hard it is on me, and then I drive on ‌ I told everyone on the team, ‘Forget self-pity.

It’s not about you.’�

According to Turgeau, in addition to dependence on each other, faith played a role in getting the cadets through the competition. “I know the other teammates were relying on their faith with Jesus Christ,�

Turgeau said. “Personally, I prayed often...�

Scanlan said the team’s practices took place five days each week. They began at 5 a.m. and, occasionally,

Thailand this year. According to Patrick Hubbard, another unique aspect of their ministry is that natives run the churches they plant. “It is much easier for relationships to be established, built and nurtured, and so our church planters understand much faster and much easier what the needs of the community are,� Barbara Hubbard said. “If you take a Westerner who, more than likely, has never even seen the level of poverty that we are dealing with, they aren’t going to be able to understand, and they cannot relate with the folks there.

When you have somebody that is a national‌ they can relate.�

Patrick Hubbard said their hope is that the churches will eventually be able to run on their own and then begin their own planting ministry among their people.

Currently, 21 percent of the Living Bread Ministry in Brazil is operating on donations given by other Brazilian churches. “Our goal is to spark a church planting movement within their own people,� Barbara Hubbard said.

Patrick Hubbard said his background in opening and managing hotels helped him in starting the non-profit, but because of the uniqueness of the ministry, it was difficult for people to understand their vision and give support. They started the minis-

try at “great personal cost,� according to Patrick Hubbard. “I would say to students who are wanting to start their own ministry, there is a price for following Christ, contrary to the Christian culture kind of bubble that we live in, there is a genuine cost,� Patrick Hubbard. “Just because something is hard or costly, it doesn’t mean that the Lord is not calling you to do it.�

Patrick Hubbard said students should examine their possibilities of plugging into an existing ministry but, if God is calling them to start something new, to not be afraid to follow that calling.

For students who desire to be a part of missions, Living Bread offers many opportunities, according to Barbara Hubbard.

She takes teams on short term missions trips, the ministry has internship positions available, and the Hubbards have created an outreach called Bloggers for the Poor where people sign up to use their blogs and social media accounts to spread the word about Living Bread Ministry.

For more information regarding Living Bread Ministries, visit livingbread.org.

HINES is a news reporter.

4:30 a.m. “These guys train just as hard, physically, (as) any other varsity team on campus,� Scanlan said. “On top of that, there’s a lot of other tactical and technical domain knowledge and skills that they have to learn.�

According to Scanlan, the team entered the ranger challenge against larger schools with highly-supported teams but still experienced success. “We kind of came out from a small school perspective,� Scanlan said. “But, with the right amount of training and the right amount of people, this program has what it takes.�

TAIT is the asst. news editor.

Photo Provided

ARMY STRONG — Liberty’s ROTC ranger challenge team poses with its trophy.

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Sodexo to match food donations

POUND-FOR-POUND! Leading up to the November 20Úth convocation, we will be accepting early donations in Reber-�Thomas Dining Hall. All food donations are going to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank to feed hungry families this Thanksgiving.

You’re Invited

to  a  special  Thanksgiving  event  at  Reber-­â€?Thomas  Dining  Hall.  Come  join  in  the  fun Â

Tuesday,  November  19th   5  -­  7:30  p.m.

s

Reber-­Thomas  Dining  Hall

www.sodexofoundation.org

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OPINION

A4

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

Thanksgiving food and festivities Countries from around the world celebrate the holiday with their own unique traditions and observances Gabriella Fuller gfuller2@liberty.edu

Few celebrations are as distinctly recognizable as the holiday of Thanksgiving. For most Americans, this is the one day a year to display cornucopia centerpieces, consume massive amounts of turkey and experience coma-like symptoms while lounging in front of a television.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, close to 46 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving. More than 3.5 million spectators watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in person, while an additional 50 million viewers tune in via television. An astounding 226 million people went shopping on Black Friday weekend 2012, spending more than $52 billion collectively.

Yet while all of the revelry and fanfare seem uniquely American, we are not the only culture — nor were we the first — to celebrate with a day of thanks.

Though we commemorate the

Plymouth colonists of 1621, countries around the world have long celebrated traditions of bountiful harvest.

When President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day in 1863, he only formally established the already global phenomenon of giving thanks. The following are some of the most notable harvest festivals around the world, according to the History Channel and The Huffington Post.

»» Canadian Thanksgiving —

Though on first assumption we may believe that our neighbors to the north copied our traditions, Thanksgiving was celebrated in Canada long before Pilgrims reached Plymouth. When explorer Martin Frosbisher arrived in Newfoundland, Canada in 1578, he celebrated with a small feast to express his gratitude for arriving safely in the new world. This event is now commemorated by

by Greg Leasure Christmas is perhaps the happiest day of the year in America. The decorations and the hunt for the perfect present signal the coming of the holiday season, but there is only one thing about Christmas that people almost universally love complaining about — it now starts in LEASURE October.

Whether we like it or not, seeing the first Christmas com-

contemporary Canadians on the second Monday of October.

»» China’s Chung Chiu Moon

Festival — Like our own holiday, this festival is a time for Chinese families to celebrate with loved ones at the end of a harvest season. It is one of the most celebrated Chinese holidays, observed by feasting and fellowship.

The festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar moon — September or October on the Gregorian calendar.

According to legend, the moon is largest and brightest on this day, thus inspiring the traditional mooncake, a flaky pastry stuffed with sweet and savory filling.

»» Ghana’s

Homowo Festival — The yam festival is celebrated as a remembrance of a period of famine in the Ghanaian people’s history.

The word “homowo” means

mercial of the season before deciding on a Halloween costume is a sad reality for some of us. And for those who escape the television ads, everyone has at least one coworker who seemingly needs Christmas music like the rest of us need oxygen.

But Christmas is supposed to be a joyful holiday, right? Then why does the simple matter of when Christmas should actually start bother so many of us to the point of incessant complaining? I think it goes back to an underlying problem that we all see, but choose to sweep under the rug like pine needles from a dying tree.

For too many people, the holiday is all about the money. The reason stores start Christmas advertising and

“hooted at hunger.” Today, the festival is celebrated in May with yams as the primary dish. The feast is accompanied by Ghanians dressed in multi-colored togas dancing to ceremonial drums.

»» German

Erntedankfest — This German festival is celebrated in September or October. The day begins with a sermon, followed by a procession where the traditional harvest crown is presented to the harvest queen, Ernteknigin. The day is further celebrated with music, dancing, and a bounty of fruits and vegetables from the harvest.

Unlike the American turkey, chicken is the main dish of the German feast.

»» Korea’s Chuseok — Held

in September or October, the Chuseok festival begins with a pilgrimage to the graves of ancestors as a symbol of honor and re-

blasting “Deck the Halls” so early is because it puts people in a spending state of mind. Let’s think about it another way.

According to the United States Census Bureau, there are more than 317 million people living in America. Eliminating those who do not celebrate Christmas and those too young to buy gifts, we can estimate the amount of people buying Christmas gifts at about 250 million people. If all of those people bought $100 worth of Christmas gifts, it would add up to $25 billion. Although my estimation of how many Americans are out there buying Christmas gifts may be off by a few million, we spend a ton of money at Christmas.

spect. Sacrifices of food are offered, and celebration is enjoyed only after the memorial services are complete. The traditional dish of Chuseok is Songpyeon — rice kneaded into cakes and filled with red beans, chestnuts or other ingredients. Public celebrations of games and dancing traditionally conclude the day.

As you celebrate Thanksgiving this year, reflect on your own traditions and take time to remember the true purpose of the holiday season. While spending time with familiar faces, cherish the love and laughter shared around the food and festivities. Remember that the day is a day of grace, and take time to praise God for the blessings in your life — Thanksgiving is, after all, a word of action.

FULLER is the opinion editor.

This is nothing new to stores. Christmas is the most important time of the year for them, and they know that the earlier they advertise, the more likely we are to spend.

Nothing illustrates the American tradition of frenzied holiday shopping better than Black Friday, the Friday after Thanksgiving. Not only do Christmas music and decorations begin to creep into stores before the turkey hits the table on Thanksgiving, some people are waiting in line for the best deals just minutes after eating.

I love Christmas as much as the next person, but at the risk of sounding like a Scrooge, the most wonderful time of the year would be so much more wonderful if it were not all about the money.

OPINION

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

Liberty Champion/A5

What’s up with Doc’s Diner?

Sodexo staff answers questions regarding student concerns about extended lines and limited food choices Dylan Friberg dwfriberg@liberty.edu

I eat at Doc’s Diner every day.

I eat there on weekdays. I eat there on weekends. I eat there when I want a meal, and I eat there when I just want a snack.

Why do I do this?

Convenience.

I live on East 53, and as is the case for the majority of east campus students, Doc’s is the closest and most convenient location to get food. When schoolwork digs its nasty claws in, and time is in short supply, there is not much that matters more to college students than convenience. Where is the nearest place that takes swipes and gives me food? That is the most important question to college students when our stomachs start to grumble.

But with the recent changes, is eating at Doc’s worth it? Many of my fellow students complain of a lackluster menu, long lines and an even longer wait to get food once it has been ordered. I must admit that I have joined in the chorus of protests from time to time.

As a regular Doc’s customer, I see and experience these problems often. I have waited more than an hour for a breakfast sandwich on multiple occasions. A sandwich that consists of an egg, some fried ham, a bit of cheese and two sides of a bun — something that most would agree is a pretty simple thing to make.

I admit that I set out to write something negative here. I wanted to voice my complaints in a place where they would be heard and rise up with my fellow students to demand better service.

Yet, what I discovered was that my complaints were uneducated, and my anger unfounded.

I had been frustrated that there did not seem to be many healthy options.

There are burgers, pizza, pancakes and salads. Only one of those categories falls on the healthy side of the food spectrum, while the rest pretty much end up being as healthy as fast food. And while salads are a nice, healthy option, it would be better to have something to straddle the line between super-healthy and unhealthy.

Where is the pasta? The club sandwiches?

Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion

DELICIOUS? — Doc’s works to make improvements based on student feedback.

It seemed to me that Sodexo was out of touch with the student body and did not understand the pressing demand for quick food. They did not seem to get that after they switched Doc’s from a sit-down restaurant to an order-and-go swipe station, its popularity would rise exponentially.

I was wrong.

Speaking extensively with Cheryl Wolff, Sodexo’s general manager at Liberty, it became clear to me that Sodexo has been working hard to combat these exact issues that many — including myself — believed them to be out of touch with.

“The reason we did change was student feedback,” Wolff said. “The students love the convenience of Doc’s, but the lines were so long.”

Wolff explained how Doc’s switched its orientation specifically based off students’ complaints about the long lines to get in, be seated, order, receive the food, be given the check and pay. Sodexo has tried to get more food out quickly by making Doc’s an order-and-go place.

Wolff said they even looked at how students love the self-service touch-screens

at Sheetz, and put those up in Doc’s to increase efficiency.

As far as the menu goes, Wolff said the simpler it is, the faster the food can come out. Creating a menu with food that is more strenuous to cook would just increase wait times. The argument for more diverse food backfires when you realize that it gets in the way of the number one goal: Convenience and quickness.

“We did take a lot of consideration for health on what’s in there,” Wolff said. “I do think there needs to be some improvements. Definitely the menu will always be tinkered with … we also want to keep it fresh. We want to look at what the students want.”

I suggested to Wolff that filling the kitchen with more cooks might help to prepare food faster, to which she explained to me what I believe to be the real problem with Doc’s: the facility is too small.

Wolff said she could throw more cooks in the kitchen, but in an atmosphere where people are constantly moving and working, it would create safety concerns.

Most of the issues that myself and other students have with Doc’s are justifiable after doing a little research on why it is the way it is. But that does not necessarily mean that Doc’s is perfect.

The kitchen is too small, and Wolff told me that record numbers of students are eating at Doc’s. For many students, it is taking the place of a dining hall. Because of this, it seems clear that Doc’s needs a bigger change than just the style of dining it incorporates.

Doc’s needs a complete physical renovation to make both the kitchen facilities and seating capabilities sufficient for a much larger group of people.

A renovation would not even eliminate a detrimental amount of parking spots for the commuters that park in that zone. Even if the size of Doc’s was only doubled, it would allow more food to be made at once and more students to be served, especially during the busiest hours. Other parking arrangements, such as the parking garage next to Reber Thomas that is currently being constructed, would provide ample wiggle room for misplaced spots in the Doc’s lot.

The bottom line is, even though it is popular because it is the most convenient place for a lot of Campus East students to eat, Doc’s still has good food. If the food was bad, students would not flock back in such numbers.

But the current model is not working smoothly. Not for the students, and not for the workers. Doc’s employee John Stockwell explained that when two order tickets are popping out in the kitchen every minute, it creates a high stress environment.

It is important to remember, though, that Sodexo is listening to feedback and will make changes based off of it.

Fill out the extensive Sodexo survey that can be found on the splash page, and give feedback on the dining options at libertydining.com. If you want change, use your voice.

FRIBERG is a news reporter.

Incognito’s true identity revealed Dolphins offensive lineman Richie Incognito is suspended after harassing fellow teammate Johnathan Martin Derrick Battle dbattle2@liberty.edu

To be a professional athlete, you do not only need the skills to compete at a high level, but also the wherewithal to deal with emotion and, sometimes for young players, hazing.

As an offensive lineman, National Football League (NFL) coaches look for the meanest, toughest and grittiest players.

Suspended Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Richie Incognito fit that mold. According to the NFL, he was at one point called the dirtiest player in the NFL by opponents and BATTLE teammates.

While many coaches would love to have this mindset in an offensive line, there is a line that cannot be pushed. Incognito crossed that line with teammate

and co-offensive lineman Jonathan Martin.

“He came on the team, and he kind of tests people,” former teammate Channing Crowder said to cnn.com. “He tries to test you to see if you have enough manhood, if you have enough testosterone.”

Incognito has had a troubled past that dated back to college.

According to espn.com, in 2003 he was kicked off of the Nebraska team for violating team rules. The next year, he was dismissed from the Oregon Ducks football team for not meeting the coach’s standards. When he got into the NFL, things did not change. Incognito entered into shouting matches with coaches and opponents.

According to espn.com, before the incidents with Martin, he was investigated by the Dolphins for sexual assault on a female volunteer during a team golfing tournament in 2012.

But the Dolphins kept it under wraps until now.

Reports from Head Coach Joe Philbin say that Incognito was told to “toughen up” Martin.

Because of this, he would get on him about certain things, crack jokes about him in the locker room and pull pranks. Martin endured it all, taking his lumps like any rookie or young player would. Then he received voice mails and text messages from Incognito that were filled with harsh words, racial bigotry, and ended with “I will kill you.”

In a recent interview with foxsports.com, Incognito said there was one point when Martin had texted him making threats to his family.

“When words are put in a context, I understand why a lot of eyebrows get raised,” Incognito said to Fox Sports.

“But people don’t know how Jon and I communicate.”

But this was supposed to be in a joking tone?

According to Dolphins center Mike Pouncey, what finally sent Martin over the edge was a clas-

sic cafeteria prank seen in movies. When the “cool kids” move to another table as the “oddball” sits down, leaving them to sulk.

Since Oct. 30, Martin has left the Dolphins for emotional reasons and checked himself into the hospital for emotional distress. He has made comments that he looks forward to getting back to playing football once the issue is resolved.

When it comes to hazing or toughening up a person, it is done in a commanding way ending with love for the other person.

Many would say Martin needs to become tougher. I agree, given his track record from his rookie season last year, he struggled. In the preseason, the Stanford alum racked up a lot of penalties, including being fined $10,000 for illegal clipping.

From any perspective, you stand up for yourself and tell that person, “Hey, that went too far.”

But Martin did not. He did not say a word to coaches or other

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players, and many on the Dolphins even considered Incognito and Martin to be friends.

“Does he like to give guys a hard time, yes,” Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill said in an interview with NFL.com. “…

If you asked Johnathan Martin about any type of tussle, (Incognito) was the first guy there.

When they were outside of football, who was together? Richie and Jon.” Like Tannehill, many teammates came to the aid of Incognito, saying he has always been there for Martin. Many said his comments were not that brash and gave him the ok to use words of racial content.

Although Martin said he looks forward to playing football with the Dolphins, he may want to ask for a release or trade. He has lost respect in that locker room.

BATTLE is the sports editor.

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

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A6/Liberty Champion

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

breaking through

Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion

CONSTRUCTION — President Jerry Falwell, Jr. (right) and Charles Spence (left) break down the last barrier between Liberty University and Wards Road Nov. 11. According to Spence, the tunnel is set to be completed at the beginning of the spring 2014 semester.

‘LU’ trademarked Lipscomb relinquishes their ‘LU’ logo Sophia Hahn shahn3@liberty.edu

The interlocking L and U logo was the center of a legal issue between Liberty University and Lipscomb University when Lipscomb started using the “LU” combination in their logo in 2011.

“The issue was not only about the closeness of the logo, but about the use of the letters ‘LU’ in connection with higher education,” David Corry, Liberty’s general counsel, said. “Liberty University has the exclusive trademark on that.”

Lipscomb, a private Christian university located in Nashville, Tenn., designed the new logo when they came across a need for a shorter graphic, according to Deby Samuels, vice president of Lipscomb’s Communications and Marketing. They conducted a trademark search, which came back clear at the time.

Liberty later discovered Lipscomb’s similar logo in December 2012, Corry said.

Upon noticing the improper use of the “LU,” Liberty sent a letter to Lipscomb, which began a cordial discussion.

“We explained that we needed to police the unauthorized use of our trademarks or risk losing trademark protection,” Corry said. “We offered a free license for Lipscomb to use ‘LU’ in certain ways and with certain colors and negotiated the terms of that over several months.”

According to Ronald Kennedy, the senior vice president of marketing, the interlocking L and U logo officially became the trademark of Liberty March 1, 2013.

“There were multiple university marks that were refined to modernize the brand without straying too far from the brand equity the university had already established with their logos,” Kennedy said.

President Jerry Falwell, Jr. stated in his brand update announcement on Liberty’s website why the enhanced “LU” design is important to distinguishing Liberty from

other schools.

“Because other universities could also claim ‘LU’ as their initials, we opted to emphasize our name over our monogram,” Falwell said.

“Now, in light of our explosive growth and expanding national prominence, we feel it is time to adopt the custom of other major universities in allowing our initials to speak for themselves … When people hear of ‘LU,’ they will think of Liberty University.”

Samuels explained that if the situation was based solely around the use of the logo design, it would have been adjusted much more quickly.

According to Corry, Lipscomb decided to discontinue any further use of the logo “LU,” which was an acceptable resolution for Liberty.

“Where we can, we have eliminated it immediately, such as on websites and other quick-to-fix locations,” Samuels said. “On things such as wearables, Liberty has agreed to let us sell through on those.”

Although Lipscomb cannot present their ideas for their new logo design yet, they do know that it will not be based on the letters “LU,” according to Samuels.

“We are simply using our athletic ‘Lipscomb’ logo at the moment,” Samuels said.

“The ‘LU’ format was not the majority player in our athletic identity graphics.”

According to Samuels, Lipscomb’s brand has been “Lipscomb” for more than 122 years, and they have barely ever referred to themselves as “LU.” “Lipscomb University is bigger than a logo and is a name and an institution that is unique,” Samuels said.

However, according to Samuels, several of their supporters are disappointed and do not understand how the letters can be trademarked.

“But our Christian mission here is much bigger, much richer and much more exciting than spending time trying to figure this one out,” Samuels said. “We move on.”

HAHN is the news editor.

Photo Provided

VIDEO — Students are now able to get hands-on experience to help them with their future careers.

LFSN offers opportunities

The broadcasting program now has a studio for students to use Katey Roshetko kroshetko@liberty.edu

The student-broadcasting program at Liberty University has been growing rapidly over the past three years.

Currently, students broadcast up to eight or nine games a week, covering sports like hockey, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, baseball, softball and more. With crews as small as 10 or as large as 20, multiple cameras, replay and graphics capabilities, student broadcasting has come a long way.

Jordan Bolt is the unit production manager for Liberty Flames Sports Network, teaching workshops and crewing sporting events. He said he is all too familiar with the less glamorous broadcasting days under the supervision of Dan Crutchfield. In 2012, only soccer, baseball, softball and basketball were regularly streamed online.

“Back then, we only

had one little Tri-caster (switcher board) and three little (handheld) Sony cameras,” Bolt said. “Max on a production may have been four to five people, if that.”

One of those select few was Sam Farnsworth, a senior broadcasting major and an active member in the Club Sports broadcasting team. He said he also remembers the pre-glory days before the Liberty Flames Sports Network (LFSN) was established as a full-production operating network.

“Basically, our entire production fit into the back of (Dan Crutchfield’s) car,” Farnsworth said. “One time, we were at a soccer game, and the fluid in our really cheap tripods froze so we couldn’t pan left or right.

We also had to edit in all of the graphics during post-production. Nothing was added live.”

According to Bolt, productions were drastically improved between 2011 and 2012 when

Liberty and the Big South bought new cameras, equipment and an HD truck for students to learn how to operate.

The truck allowed more sports to be aired because the control room was no longer in a single set location. It could travel wherever the event was taking place.

“Looking back at the time when we didn’t have the equipment we have now, it definitely was not real broadcast,” Farnsworth said. “But it was a good starting point to get plugged in because you got a sense of what a broadcast could look like with the right technology.”

The opportunities for students interested in broadcasting, both behind and in front of the camera, grow exponentially every semester, Bolt said. For anyone interested in a digital media career, student broadcasting is where to start, no experience necessary.

“There are always op-

portunities for people with no experience at all to come in and start,” Bolt said. “It’s our job to train them. So I say bring ‘em on.”

According to Bolt, students are able to get their hands on the equipment and learn how productions work. They are taught everything from wrapping cable and operating cameras to higher up control room jobs like directing and producing.

“Every position is available for students, you just have to work for it,” Bolt said.

As Bolt reflected on making the decision to enter into a broadcasting career, he said he wished he had known just how hard it was going to be.

“It takes a lot of time, a lot of effort and a lot of dedication,” Bolt said.

Continued online at LibertyChampion. com

NEWS

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

Liberty Champion/A7

Veterans educate teachers Lindsay Benton

lbenton8@liberty.edu

Kyle Erickson| Liberty Champion

RACE — Yizazew will travel to 11 different countries in 11 months with The World Race beginning in September 2014.

Student to travel world Rebekah Yizazew prepares to embark on international missions journey Isaac Shea ishea@liberty.edu

While many students may be making plans for the end of next semester, one of Liberty University’s students is preparing herself for the adventure of a lifetime.

Senior Rebekah Yizazew has been given the opportunity to serve with an organization called The World Race.

According to TheWorldRace.com, after their launch in 2006, the organization has sent teams of individuals across the world to “11 different countries in 11 months.”

The work that The World Race does is to be the “hands and feet of Jesus” by serving all over the globe, their website said. There are different routes that are taken each time, and Yizazew’s route is no exception.

“There is a generation of radicals whose heartbeat is to see a changed world,” the website said. “It’s a generation that’s dissatisfied with the status quo and is actively rising to the challenge of seeing the world transformed through tangible expressions of God’s love.”

According to Yizazew, she kept hearing about The World Race through friends.

“I heard about it my freshman year,” Yizazew said. “Someone (in one of my

classes) told me about The World Race.

This past March, I went to Uganda on a mission’s trip with my church and met someone who works for the organization who helped me make my decision about joining The World Race.”

Yizazew said she is excited about the opportunities that she is going to be a part of with The World Race.

“Each month will be totally different in each country, and we won’t know what we are doing until we get there,” Yizazew said.

According to Yizazew, the race will begin in Thailand and will go around the world until it finally ends in Costa Rica.

“We go wherever we are needed and do whatever is needed, which includes serving the missionaries that are in the area,” Yizazew said.

No day is ever the same, according to The World Race’s website.

“Some days will be packed full with construction, VBS, building relationships with orphans or praying for the sick at a hospital,” the website states. “Some days could be slower — shopping for groceries at the market, cooking for your team and spending time praying for the community you walk through.”

Yizazew said she had originally planned

to leave to help the organization in January of next year, but her plans changed, and she will now be going in September.

“It was kind of a God thing,” Yizazew said. “I just needed to take a step back and get focused again.”

Yizazew is studying communications with a specialization in public relations.

She said she has the unexpected chance to be able to graduate on time, and that her communication skills will be able to help her.

According to Yizazew, she hopes to leave an impression on anyone she is able to work with overseas.

“If you don’t really make a name for yourself, you won’t be able to stick out,” Yizazew said.

According to the organization’s website, they are “(S)eeking participants who believe that God is actively at work today.

People who not only want to do the Lord’s work, but who are willing to let the Lord work in their hearts over the year.”

According to The World Race, when it comes to winning souls for God, they want to be at the front of the pack “(b)ecause it’s not about you, it’s about the Kingdom.”

SHEA is a news reporter.

Online program honored

Master’s degree in sports management named in top 20 of American programs mhnorris@liberty.edu

Liberty University Online’s Master of Science in Sport Management has been named one of the top 20 programs in the country by The Best Schools.

The Best Schools, found online at thebestschools.org, is an online portal that serves as a leading resource for campus and online education. According to their site, their aim is “to help students find the best college and university degree programs to advance their career goals.”

Through The Best Schools’ site, students can search through the type of degree they want, online or on campus, and view how the programs rank with each other.

“Through its ranking of traditional and online degree programs, thebestschools.org empowers you to make the highly informed educational decisions necessary for achieving your career goals,” their website said.

A “thrilled” Dr. Clark Zealand, associate professor and director of graduate studies, said this about the news of the ranking.

“This was very much a surprise.”

Zealand hopes that the rating will draw attention not just to the online program, but also to the residential program.

“Sport management is a dynamic industry,” Zealand said.

According to Zealand, they are currently working on adding new minors to

the program.

As the campus grows, Zealand said he hopes the program will as well.

According to The Best Schools’ site, the ranking came from a set of criteria defined as “considerations including the overall academic position of the institution, the depth and innovation of the program, student performance and success, essential elements of the program (such as business foundation and internships), accreditation and reputation.”

Liberty, whose sport management program ranked 12th on the list, takes its place next to colleges such as Texas A&M, Northeastern University, Western Kentucky University, Old Dominion University and Full Sail University.

CELEBRATING THE

30

th

‘83

of

‘13

The Best Schools said Liberty’s program will “have a Christian worldview that will pertain to their career paths in sport management.”

This is not the first time that Liberty has been featured on The Best Schools’ page. On the list of top 20 online Christian colleges, Liberty is listed as number one.

Liberty’s programs are also included on lists such as psychology and the online law program.

Zealand said there is the possibility that being featured on The Best Schools’ page will bring traffic to the university and the growth of the campus can be reflected through the program.

NORRIS is a news reporter.

BENTON is a news reporter.

APARTMENT FOR RENT}

}

Mary Helen Norris

The Liberty University Office of Military Affairs (OMA) hosted a discussion panel for education students in an effort to raise awareness about the sacrifice of active duty families Tuesday, Nov. 5 Students had the opportunity to hear directly from military representatives, veterans and dependents about the need for military family awareness in the school system.

Meghan Ellis, associate director for the OMA, asked the panel members questions about their experiences with military life and addressed issues that future educators may deal with in their classrooms.

Ellis said she was raised as a military child, and her spouse is in the Army.

According to Ellis, it is important that teachers address the specific needs of military parents and their children.

“My passion is to provide support to raise awareness for our military population,” Ellis said.

According to Ellis, a 2011 study shows that there are more than 2.2 million active-duty military personnel including the Reserves and National Guard. This affects more than 1.9 children of military families.

The panel members recommend future educators take advantage of the technology that is available to the current culture.

“In 2006 and 2007, I missed two Halloweens in a row, Christmas and Thanksgiving,” Capt. Bystrek, company commander at U.S. Army Recruiting Company, said. “I missed my son’s birth. Stuff like that is important to the servicemen and to the child back at home. Most teachers these days have their own classroom website. (Teachers) make the website available to important things like concerts or plays or whatever.”

Bystrek said he recommends future teachers record parent-teacher conferences, and email the conference to the deployed spouse. He also said the number one concern for military children affected by moving is making and keeping friends. This further emphasizes the need for teachers to be informed about dealing with military families.

Dr. Keith Anderson, dean of students, chief conduct officer and director for a counseling and spiritual support office at Liberty, challenged students to imagine the impact on military families by keeping both parents connected to their child. This type of influence has the ability to save marriages.

“One thing that I would tell future educators is never underestimate the power of your students,” Anderson said. “If you challenge them, they can rise to the occasion. You have to prepare them. You have to support them.

I think the benefit of the military family is their ability to organically adapt to different places and people.”

Following the panel, education students got the chance to learn more by asking questions from its members.

The OMA holds events throughout the year. For more information, call (434) 592-5990 or email lumilitary@ liberty.edu.

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A8/Liberty Champion

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

Teaching business Alumna educates locals Shelby Sayer ssayer@liberty.edu

Rebecca Sturm-Clauser, alumna of Liberty University, started Business eXpress in 2008, coaching businesses and individuals on everything from goal setting to employee development and team building.

“Business eXpress was a vision of mine after asking what I could do to help business grow in 2013,” SturmClauser said. “Doors were closing, and the economy was showing no signs of return. I decided to give of my time and talents, so in January I held the first business eXpress with Abe Loper of Nobility Partners.”

Sturm-Clauser also wrote “The ABC’s of Success!”, a book about how to conduct a day-long workshop to help clients in a self-discovery process that makes positive change in their lives both professionally and personally. She is also a speaker presenting topics that provide solutions to the specific need of an organization or business.

“The Lord blessed me with a huge heart and the ability to be a speaker helping others in their successes,” Sturm-Clauser said. “I am also coaching Liberty students with organizational, conflict resolution and leadership skills. Much of my business tools came from my education here at Liberty University.”

According to Sturm-Clauser, she and her business partner Loper were the perfect duo to power up Business eXpress with their love of promoting partnerships with like-businesses.

“Business eXpress began with networking for 30 minutes over lunch with a workshop setting following at noon where participants gain valuable tools to use in their businesses, gaining success and increasing their bottom line,” Sturm-Clauser said.

Business eXpress meets the first Tuesday of every month from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at The White Hart Cafe in downtown Lynchburg.

“This service is totally free to the participants, because I felt a need to give of my time to help make a difference in our business community,” Sturm-Clauser said. “I want others to succeed and pay it forward. More than 34 businesses have come through the eXpress. I have met some pretty awesome people and developed lasting relationships.”

Albert Billingsly, owner of a small insurance agency, said on the WDBJ7 local news that Rebecca Sturm-Clauser has helped him to see areas that he was not focusing on, and she has helped him build a business plan.

According to Sturm-Clauser, many local businesses have taken advantage of the workshop and have seen a positive outcome.

“Business eXpress provides excellent training with topics that are relevant to small business,” Debbie Montgomery, who works at Retail Merchants Association, Inc., said. “The relationships built during the process are long term and invaluable as we strive to provide support and promotion to other local businesses.”

Liberty students can attend and gain insight on business operations from local businesses as well as intern with a variety of businesses in the Central Virginia area, Sturm-Clauser said.

There is also room for the students to attend this workshop.

“Business eXpress has provided value to my business by giving me access to business coaches and other entrepreneurs who have a wide variety of expertise and information,” Nadine Sneidar, Independent Avon representative, said.

According to Sturm-Clauser, students can learn alongside these business owners and receive the expertise advice for no fee. Business majors who are willing to share their own expertise are welcome to present as well.

This workshop is also an opportunity to make connections with professional business owners and learn the reality of owning a business in today’s economy.

SAYER is a news reporter.

Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion

PATRIOTIC — Capt. Coffee, a decorated veteran who served more than 27 years in the military, shares his story of faith.

Armed forces honored Capt. Gerald Coffee spoke to students at Convocation for Military Emphasis Week Tobi Walsh Twalsh12@liberty.edu

Capt. Gerald Coffee spoke before more than 10,000 students as Liberty University honored veterans and those serving the armed forces during Military Emphasis Week at Convocation Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Coffee, a decorated veteran who has served more than 27 years in the military, shared his story about how he kept his faith during his time as a prisoner of war (POW) during the Vietnam War. “Today is a very special morning,” Johnnie Moore, vice president of communications, said. “Today, we center an entire (Convocation) to honor those who fought for our freedom so we could be here.”

Convocation opened with the Posting of the Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a performance of the “Star Spangled Banner” performed by the Sounds of Liberty. A moment of silence followed for those who had lost their lives for the country.

Moore then had students who were currently serving in the military stand along

FOSTER continued from A1 Donald Tordoff, associate pastor at Blue Ridge Community Church, said he felt encouraged as a pastor to see the church and Foster Hope Foundation coming together to help children in need in the community.

“I was on the street pretty early in my life,” Tordoff said. “I see this as a way of God redeeming what my story was with abuse and divorce by me being able to help organize a more immediate way for kids to get what I did not have.”

Refreshments were served to nearly 100 guests in attendance, double the amount expected, according to Tordoff. Among those were current foster and adoption parents who were given the opportunity to share their personal stories.

Shawn Horrell, a mother of three adopted children, shared her story of trials and triumphs during the process of adoption.

“Adoption is a journey of faith and difficulty,” Horrell said. “But it’s also a beautiful picture of God’s love and completion.”

According to Horrell, she and her husband adopted their first child, Jason, and planned to have biological children. After months of unsuccessful fertility treatments, Horrell said she and her husband completely gave their situation over to God. Horrell, a former school teacher, said her answer to prayer was a boy named Tony in her class who was in need of a family.

Following the adoption of Tony, Horrell faced another difficult situation in which the birth mother of a

with those who are veterans as well as the family members of those in the military, stand so they could be honored.

“If one of those people is standing near you, make sure you go and personally thank them for their service to this country,” Moore said.

Moore also noted how important it was for the students’ generation to honor the troops.

As Coffee took the stage, he said he was overwhelmed by the students at Liberty.

“It’s an honor to be at a school with such a spiritual and patriotic emphasis,” Coffee said.

Coffee talked about the four kinds of faith that got him through the seven years he spent in a POW camp during the Vietnam War. “I constantly prayed for God to get me back to my family and my country,” Coffee said. “But then I started to pray for him to show me what he wanted me to learn. I prayed that I would come out a better, stronger and smarter person.”

Coffee said after praying that, every day seemed to have new purpose for him despite his circumstance.

child they wanted to adopt changed her mind at the last minute. After several weeks, the birth mother decided she was unable to care for her baby and gave the child back, Horrell said.

Seven adoption and foster care agencies were represented at the rally. Among the representatives was Liberty professor J.J. Cole with Family Life Services, a division of the Liberty Godparent Home.

Cole said the rally was important because of the need in Virginia for families to adopt.

“There are a thousand children that can be placed for adoption that we’re trying to find families for,” Cole said.

Cole, a social worker, shared why she believed the event was important for the Christian community.

“There are so many children that can benefit from Christian families,” Cole said. “I think the Christian community needs to step up. If we’re Christians saying we want to make a difference, this is the way to do it – by hosting events like this one.”

Tordoff, who is also the vice president of Foster Hope Foundation, said not everyone is meant to adopt.

“God’s got to be the one that prompts you,” Tordoff said. “It’s not a good idea to just run out and adopt because it’s a romantic idea.

There are a lot of challenges with it. And I think my role is to help people realize that God is the one who has to birth this idea (of adoption) in you.”

For more information on the Foster Hope Foundation, visit fosterhopeinc.org.

SKAGGS is a news reporter.

“I never dreamed of the opportunities that it would give me,” Coffee said.

Coffee shared how faith in himself, others, his country and God helped him make it through those seven years.

“We are masters of our own fate,” Coffee said. “We should never lose faith. All of us at one time have been a POW… a prisoner of woe where we wish things hadn’t happened to us. But it’s in those times where we learn about ourselves.”

Coffee said that, as a speaker at Liberty, he had no problem sharing how important his faith had been for him during his imprisonment.

“When I first got in my cell, the first words I saw carved into the wall were ‘God equals strength,’” Coffee said. “I knew there that I was never alone.”

As Coffee concluded his speech, he continued to emphasize the value of faith in America.

“God bless, and God bless America,” Coffee said as students in the Vines Center gave him a standing ovation.

WALSH is a news reporter.

Photo Provided

FAMILY — The Jordans are a foster care adoption family.

“The Virginia Governor’s team included the family of Darrell Jordan, 2002 alumnus and communications director of the House of Representatives, in their new campaign to promote foster-toadoption and to find homes for the waiting available-to-adopt foster children in Virginia,” Jordan’s update said.

“Liberty alumna Janet Kelly is part of Gov. McDonnell’s cabinet, serving as secretary of the commonwealth. She is leading the @VirginiaAdopts initiative for the Governor,” Jordan said.

According to Virginia Adopts’ twitter account, it is an initiative launched by Gov. Bob McDonnell to match 1,000 waiting children in Virginia’s foster system with permanent loving families.

For more information on Virginia Adopts, follow them on twitter or visit virginiaadopts.virginia.gov

SPORTS

OCTOBER 29, 2013

M. DII Hockey FGCU 7

Liberty

Liberty

3

7

Reston 1

Clean sweep

Field Hockey

M. Soccer

W. D1 Hockey

Coastal

Liberty

1

0

B1

Liberty App. State 6

0

tabrahamsen@liberty.edu

Haley Jones

Football players spread discipline

hjones20@liberty.edu

The Flames (12-1) continued to stay hot over the weekend, improving on their five game home winning streak. Liberty outscored its opponents 11-3 in two games to defeat the Rochester Warriors (4-5) twice, Oct 25-26.

See SWEEP, B4

Liberty 166, Mich. St. 133, Illinois 157, Liberty 142

Living in the word

going all in

Tory Abrahamsen

LU 4, Rochester 2 Liberty came out of the gates looking very “complacent … expecting it to be easy,” according to Head Coach Kirk Handy.

“Rochester College played well,” Handy said.

“They’re going to battle, and we need to battle for all 60 minutes in order to be successful.”

Both teams played good defense and received solid play out of their goalies during the early portions of the first period. However, Rochester broke the scoring drought with 6:45 left in the first period when forward Brock Malatches fed the puck to forward Doug Lindensmith, who put it in the net. The two teams then continued their solid defensive play, bringing the first period to a close with the score 1-0 in favor of Rochester.

After 15 minutes had passed in the second period, defenseman Cam Bakker put Liberty on the board. The Flames stormed down the ice and pushed ahead of the Rochester defensemen. The Flames got three quick shots off, including one by Robert Ward and another by forward DJ Dinnison,

Swimming

Derrick Battle dbattle2@liberty.edu

Steven Abbott | Liberty Champion

JUMP BALL — Lady Flames goalkeeper Holly Van Noord tries to catch a ball between multiple Lady Flames defenders and a Lady Chanticleer.

Seniors shine at home Jacob Tellers

jtellers@liberty.edu

The 21st time was the charm for the Lady Flames (12-5-1, 7-2-1 Big South) soccer team, as they scored on their 21st attempt to take a 1-0 lead in their match Saturday, Oct. 26 against Coastal Carolina (9-8-1, 6-4 Big South).

Junior midfielder Rebecca Smith placed the ball into the

back of the net after a shot by fellow midfielder Brittany Aanderud hit off the right post. This lone goal was all that Liberty needed for the win in its last regular season home game of the year.

The win clinched a top-four seed for the Lady Flames, ensuring at least one more home game this season for the quarterfinal match of the Big South Championship.

“Last year was the first year the conference decided to go to a quarterfinal,” Head Coach Jessica Hain said. “The top four teams in the conference will host a quarterfinal game … All four of the teams who hosted were the teams who won. So, in my opinion, it’s a huge advantage and it was really exciting to get the win today.”

See SENIORS, B2

On the trip back home from Boiling Springs, N.C., the Liberty football team c e l e brated a 24-0 victory over Gardn e r We b b.

Exhausted and w e a r y FREEMAN f r o m Saturday’s game the following day, the team prepared its game plan for Virginia Military Institute.

After preparation, most players headed home, but some stayed behind.

For the entire football season, a group of football players meet on Sunday nights. Tired, bruised and battered from Saturday’s games and Sunday’s practice, they come together for a few hours. During this time, senior defensive lineman Cory Freeman leads the group in Bible study.

No matter if the team wins or loses the day before, the group comes together to worship God and keep teammates, friends and family in prayer.

“Last week was a struggle (with Coastal Carolina University),” Freeman said.

“It was my first (home) conference loss in about five years. We haven’t lost at home since 2006. But regardless, you

See WORD, B4

Beatty, Bulldogs held in check by Flames D Derrick Battle dbattle2@liberty.edu

A complete game is what the Liberty Flames (4-4, 1-1 Big South) strived for after a homecoming loss, and pitching a shutout on the road against the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs (4-4, 0-2 Big South) was exactly that.

Last season, GardnerWebb’s redshirt junior quarterback Lucas Beatty threw for 383 yards. But the Flames held Beatty to 200 passing yards and sacked him a season-high six times in a 24-0 victory.

WE’LL SEE YOU AT THE GAME

“We have great leadership on our team,” Head Coach Turner Gill said to Liberty Flames Sports Network (LFSN). “Our coaches do a great job giving our guys the opportunity to show what our team is all about. Our character was revealed after these last two ballgames.”

This is the first time Gardner-Webb was shut out two games in a season since 1985.

“We were relentless,” defensive lineman Jibrelle Fewell said to LFSN. “We all worked together today, and it showed.”

M. Soccer vs. Longwood Oct. 29 @ 6 p.m.

Gardner-Webb was unable to move the ball during the game, gaining only 230 yards of total offense.

They went 3-16 on thirddown conversions.

Defensive lineman Toby Onyechi led Liberty with 1.5 sacks. Fewell, along with linemen Cory Freeman and Erwin Dessources, also planted Beatty to the ground, recording one sack each.

After allowing 235 yards on the ground to Coastal Carolina, the Flames gave up 30 yards on 29

See CHECK, B3

Volleyball vs. Radford Nov. 1 @ 7 p.m.

Courtney Russo | Liberty Champion

CONSISTENCY — Brandon Apon (82), who had a nine-yard touchdown reception against Gardner-Webb Saturday, grabs a pass against Coastal Carolina.

M. DI Hockey vs. Eastern Mich.

Nov. 1 @ 7 p.m.

Field Hockey vs. Radford Nov. 2 @ 1 p.m.

Football vs. VMI Nov. 2 @ 3:30 p.m.

SPORTS

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

W. DII Hockey Rutgers 2

Liberty

1

M. DII Hockey

Liberty Delaware 4 0

Quest reborn

B1

M. Soccer

M. D III Hockey Liberty

S. Conn.

Radford

Liberty

5

3

2

1

Cross Country Women — Secondplace finish in Hokie Open

Clean sweep

NorPac champions

B-ball opens season with win

Hockey derails No. 4 Delaware

Tom Foote tfoote2@liberty.edu

Redshirt senior Antwan Burrus scored on the opening possession for the reigning Big South champion Liberty Flames (1-0) in his first game since the 2011-12 season, leading the Flames to a 74-53 victory over the Randolph College Wildcats Nov. 7.

According to senior point guard Davon Marshall, who scored eight points and recorded five assists, the plan was to get Burrus, who missed last season due to a foot injury, involved on the first possession.

“We just wanted to get him going,” Marshall said.

“I think everybody was happy to see him get a basket and get back out there.

I wanted him to score 20 tonight, but it was good see him back and see him playing well.”

Despite the early boost with the return of Burrus, Liberty struggled to distance themselves from the Wildcats in the first half.

Liberty Head Coach Dale Layer attributed part of the Flames early struggles to the limited role of last year’s leading scorer John Caleb Sanders, who played just 10 minutes and had four points off the bench.

“His ankle surgery put him out a while and he tweaked his back,” Layer said. “We need him. We’re not the same without him.”

To start the game, Randolph jumped out to an early 7-4 lead, but Liberty responded with a 10-0 run, highlighted by five of junior forward’s Tomasz Gielo’s team-high 14 points.

However, Randolph

See QUEST, B3

Jonathan Husker jhusker@liberty.edu

Haley Jones hjones20@liberty.edu

Liberty’s Division I men’s hockey team played host to the No. 4 Delaware Blue Hens Friday, Nov. 8 and Saturday, Nov. 9 at the LaHaye Ice Center.

Last year, the Blue Hens swept the Flames, but this year, the Flames made sure that would not be the case. The Flames defeated the Blue Hens 6-1 Friday night, and 5-4 Saturday night in a shootout.

Stanford’s 11 penalty corners.

The Lady Flames took less than two minutes to respond to McCawley’s equalizer, as Natalie Barr kept the ball from multiple defenders before launching a backhanded shot past Cardinal goalie Dulcie Davies.

“We are such a team of fighters,” sophomore forward Jordan Richardson said. “That’s always been the personality of our team and the way that we play. We really showed that in the last seven minutes, and I was thankful we were able to come away with a nice shot and goal.”

The Cardinal pulled Davies with

LU 6, Delaware 1 In the first game, the Flames began the opening period strong. A few minutes into the game, senior forward Lindsay LeBlanc scored the Flames first goal, giving Liberty a 1-0 lead.

Late in the first period, sophomore forward Charles Williams scored the Flames second goal on a beautiful shot, making the score 2-0.

In the second period, Delaware tightened up defensively, and neither team scored through the entire period of play.

Four minutes into the third period, senior forward Andrew McCombe scored the Flames third goal, giving Liberty a 3-0 advantage.

However, the Blue Hens fought back, scoring a goal with a little less than six minutes left in the game, making the score 3-1.

It appeared that the Blue Hens were gaining momentum when they scored again just seconds later.

But the goal was called back, and the score remained 3-1.

See NCAA, B3

See SWEPT, B2

Steven Abbott | Liberty Champion

BARR RAISED — Natalie Barr (19) scored the game-winning goal in the conference championship game against Stanford to give the Lady Flames their first NorPac title.

Tournament-bound Liberty’s field hockey team wins its first conference championship

Alex Tichenor atichenor@liberty.edu

Natalie Barr scored her second goal of the game with 3:49 remaining to give the Liberty women’s field hockey team a conference championship Saturday, Nov. 9 in only its third year of competing on the NCAA Division I level.

The Lady Flames ousted 10thranked Stanford 2-1 in the final of the NorPac Championship in a defensive battle in which the Flames were only able to manage two shots on goal.

Both of those shots found their way from Natalie Barr’s stick into the cage just minutes apart to pro-

pel the Lady Flames to their first NCAA tournament berth in program history.

“It happened so naturally,” Natalie Barr said. “I was a bit annoyed at myself with my performance (Thursday) and this whole tournament’s performance. Even today, I hadn’t got going even as I was trying so hard. Both those times, it literally just happened. Honestly, it was down to God.” The game was a scoreless tie until Natalie Barr’s first goal, which came off a pass from her younger sister Serena Barr with 12:37 left in the contest. However, Stanford evened it up with 5:18 left on an Alex McCawley goal off one of

Five-star title victory Jacob Tellers jtellers@liberty.edu

Photo Provided | Sideline Sports

CHAMPIONS — Liberty celebrates its fourth Big South title.

WE’LL SEE YOU AT THE GAME

W. Basketball vs. JMU Nov. 12 @ 7 p.m.

The second-seeded Liberty Lady Flames soccer team (16-5-1) defeated the two-time defending champions and first-seeded Radford Highlanders (153-2) 5-0 Sunday, Nov. 10 to win their fourth Big South Champion-

M. D1 Hockey vs. Stony Brook Nov. 15 @ 7 p.m.

ship and their first title since 2005.

As the final whistle blew, the Lady Flames stormed the field in an exuberant group hug around keeper Holly Van Noord, the redshirt freshman who finished the game with her 14th shutout of the season.

“It is absolutely sur-

W. D1 Hockey vs. Reston Nov. 16 @ 12 p.m.

real,” junior forward Geena Swentik said.

“It hasn’t even hit me how amazing this is.”

Liberty had previously lost to Radford 3-0 in an Oct. 9 away contest but dominated Radford in the neutral-field rematch hosted by Coastal Carolina.

“We were so

Football vs. Brevard Nov. 16 @ 3:30 p.m.

pumped (to play Radford again),” Swentik said. “We knew that the last game (wasn’t reflected in) the score, and if we just kept playing our game of soccer and high pressure, we would break them down and start

See TITLE, B4

M. Basketball vs. W. Carolina Nov. 16 @ 7:30 p.m.

SPORTS

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

Liberty Champion/B2

Women’s B-ball falls in season opener

Poor shooting and turnovers were too much for Liberty to overcome on the road against the Charlotte 49ers Emily Brown erbrown@liberty.edu

A night of offensive woes and turnovers was too much for the Lady Flames (0-1) to overcome as they fell in their season opener to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) 49ers (1-0) 66-56 Friday, Nov. 8.

“The early-season games quickly expose weaknesses and strengths of your team,” Liberty Head Coach Carey Green said.

“This information gives a clear direction to the areas that should be addressed as you progress into team development. … A loss is always a disappointment. However, it is the greatest teaching tool to success.”

In the first half, the Lady Flames were paced early on by five points from redshirt sophomore forward Ashley Rininger.

Her layup, jumper and free throw put the Lady Flames up 5-4 less than three minutes into the game. Approximately three minutes later, Katelyn Adams, another redshirt sophomore forward hit a layup to give the Lady Flames a 7-6 lead.

But the Lady Flames were unable to hold on and conceded the lead for good 51 seconds later when they allowed the 49ers to score an easy bucket in the paint.

Following the lead change, the Lady Flames only put 10 more points on the scoreboard while allowing the 49ers to score an additional 21 points. The 49ers capped off the half with a 12-2 scoring run.

The Lady Flames went into the locker room with a 12-point deficit, 29-17. In the first half, Liberty only made 33.3 percent

of its shots and gave up 15 points off 17 turnovers.

“Last night’s game exposed a need for us to address offensive execution as we move forward,” Green said. “Our poor offensive execution was evident in our number of turnovers.”

In the second half, the Lady Flames began to mount a comeback with two threes from freshman Mickayla Sanders and redshirt junior guard Emily Frazier.

With Frazier’s triple, Liberty pulled to within seven points of UNCC, 37-30.

The 49ers then responded with a scoring surge to go up 4935. The Lady Flames did not go away quietly though, answering with a run of their own led by sophomore guard Sadalia Ellis.

Ellis scored seven points in the 10-2 offensive burst to trim the 49ers lead to six.

“We never gave up,” Ellis said.

“We kept pushing until the clock hit zero.”

However, the Lady Flames were never able to pull any closer to the 49ers in the away contest.

Although they shot 56.6 percent and went 5-7 from three for 71.4 percent in the second half, the Lady Flames gave the ball up another 13 times for 13 points by the 49ers.

“Our inconsistent execution on offense and defense hindered any comeback that our team staged,” Green said. “Several times opportunities were thwarted by our turnovers.”

Despite the loss, the Lady Flames did come away with several bright spots.

On the defensive side of the ball, Liberty held a 31-27 advantage in rebounds. The Lady

Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion

HIP CHECK — The Flames handed out big hits against Delaware.

SWEPT continued from B1 After the reversal, McCombe scored his second goal of the night, bringing the score to 4-1.

Less than one minute later, junior forward Ryan Kerr scored, making the score 5-1.

Sophomore forward Kyle Garcia scored next with just seven seconds left in the game, securing a 6-1 victory for the Flames.

Although the Flames finished with a 6-1 win, Head Coach Kirk Handy acknowledged the challenge that the Blue Hens brought.

Ruth Bibby| Liberty Champion

KEY CONTRIBUTOR — Sadalia Ellis had a career night in her first start at Liberty.

Flames pulled down 12 offensive rebounds and capitalized with 19 second-chance points.

Liberty also received a spark off the bench with Sanders, freshman Simone Brown and redshirt sophomore Catherine Kearney combining for 17 points.

“Our bench made significant contributions and definitely was a bright spot during the game,” Green said. “We intend to utilize the strength of our bench’s contributions to develop consistency.”

Frazier contributed to the of-

fense as well with four assists and three points during her first game back from a knee injury that ended her 2012-2013 season early.

Ellis finished the night with a career-high 13 points and had three assists. Rininger also had 13 points.

As they continue their pursuit of a 16th Big South Conference Championship, the Lady Flames will work on limiting mistakes and executing in their offensive sets. “(We will) definitely get in the gym and work on reading and

reacting to the defense, which will lead to limiting our turnovers,” Ellis said. “(We will) also (be) working on the timing of our plays that will help people become more open, again leading to us limiting turnovers.”

The Lady Flames will host the James Madison University Dukes for their home opener Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.

“It wasn’t a 6-1 game,” Handy said. “It was a tight, close game.

Delaware is a good opponent.”

The Flames did what they had to at the right times in order to secure the victory.

“In some of those moments, we had some key blocks … and some key plays,” Handy said. “It was encouraging, thinking about the guys that scored tonight.”

determination of our team as a whole in front of and behind the net was what truly allowed us to walk away this weekend with two wins against a great team.”

After a scoreless first period, LeBlanc netted Liberty’s first goal of the game on an assist from sophomore defenseman Steven Bellew less than a minute into the second period, giving the Flames a 1-0 advantage.

McCombe scored the second Liberty goal off a pass from freshman forward Brandon Mistal during the last minute of the second period.

Tyson Street then netted the third goal on an assist from Kyle Garcia, giving the Flames a 3-2 lead.

“Everyone stepped up tonight, whether it was Blair Bennett deflecting pucks in the cage or the defensemen working shorthanded,” Street said.

It seemed that Delaware clinched the game when Blue Hens junior forward Wes Bonnell maneuvered through the left crease and fired a backhanded shot past Liberty senior goalie Blair Bennett, making the Delaware lead 4-3 with six minutes left in the third period.

But with a minute left to go in regulation, LeBlanc weaved

down the ice and scored his second goal, tying the score at 4-4 and sending the game into a shootout.

Delaware gained an early advantage in the shootout when Bonnell managed the first goal, but Delaware’s next four shootout attempts were denied by Bennett.

When it was Liberty’s turn at the net, Williams scored on a backhanded shot into the net, tying the shootout 1-1. Egan took the final shootout attempt in the game, and had the winning goal on a shot into the left side of the net.

“Tonight’s game truly reflects our team’s drive and motivation to compete and win,” Egan said.

“We did not come into this weekend with the mindset of thinking we would get two wins, but hard work and outplaying the Hens is what gave us these wins.”

The Flames will take on Stony Brook University Nov. 15 at 7p.m. at the LaHaye Ice Center.

LU 5, Delaware 4 The Flames defeated the Blue Hens in the second game of the weekend series in nail-biting fashion.

After junior forward Lindsay LeBlanc shot the puck past Delaware freshman goalie Dylan Trojano in the final minute of play, the game went into a shootout to determine the winner.

Freshman forward Charles Williams and junior forward Ryley Egan scored the game-tying and winning goals in the shootout respectively, giving Liberty the 5-4 victory.

Liberty, ranked No. 7 in the ACHA, extended its winning streak to nine straight games.

“Tonight was all about focus and working together as a team to battle through the goals that Delaware threw back in our face each time we would score,” LeBlanc said. “The focus and

BROWN is a copy editor.

HUSKER is a sports reporter.

JONES is a sports reporter.

SPORTS

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

Liberty Champion/B3

Flames roll to third-straight win Liberty’s defense continued its dominant play with a 35-14 victory over conference opponent Presbyterian Derrick Battle dbattle2@liberty.edu

The Liberty Flames (6-4, 3-1 Big South) running game demoralized the Presbyterian Blue Hose (3-6, 1-2 Big South) Saturday, Nov. 9, as the Blue Hose allowed 231 yards on the ground in a 35-14 Flames victory.

Running back Desmond Rice led the Flames with 96 yards and three touchdowns. Rice also became the ninth running back in school history to earn 10 or more touchdowns in a season.

“It was huge getting the running game going early,” Rice said. “We wanted to pound the rock the whole game, and it helped us keep their offense off the field.”

The Flames defense forced two turnovers and only allowed the Blue Hose to earn 244 yards of total offense. Liberty also held its third straight opponent to less than 100 yards on the ground.

“We are always shooting for that shutout,” linebacker Scott Hyland said. “But we gave up 14, and we got the win, so we need to get ready for next week and prepare for Brevard and see what we can do there.”

Liberty’s first drive set the tone, letting the run open up the pass. Quarterback Josh Woodrum completed all three of his passes to different receivers and ended the 7-play, 65-yard drive with a 20-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Darrin Peterson, who beat his man on a double move.

With the Blue Hose in the red zone with 5:32 to go in the first quarter, safety Jacob Hagen forced fullback Blake Roberts to fumble the ball, and Hyland recovered the ball at the 10-yard line.

With 90 yards of field in front of them, the Liberty offense slowly decimated Presbyterian’s defense. The Flames moved backward at the beginning of the drive with a false start penalty and a two-yard loss on the ground. However, running back D.J. Abnar got the Flames out of a tough third-and-14, catching a 17-yard pass from Woodrum. A few plays later, Peterson took a broken reverse pass and scramble for a 27-yard gain that put Liberty in Presbyterian territory.

At the start of the second quarter, the Flames still had possession and continued to methodically march down the field.

Rice ended the drive with a one-yard touchdown run on an 18-play drive that took 9:21 off the clock.

“It put a smile on my face,” Head Coach Turner Gill said. “It’s a great feeling for me. To see an 18-play drive and our guys be consistent and then put points up on the board, it’s a fantastic drive. It demoralizes a team when you’re able to take an 18-19-play drive 90 yards to

NCAA continued from B1 just over two minutes remaining but could not muster a serious chance at a goal, even with a one-person advantage on the attack.

Lady Flames goalie Ann Jefferis was named tournament MVP following the game after allowing only two goals in three games, as well as stopping a flurry of Cardinal shots in the final. Natalie and Bethany Barr joined Jefferis on the NorPac Championship All-Tournament Team.

The Lady Flames made it to the final of the tournament by beating California 3-1 Thursday, Nov. 7 and

Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion

BIG EFFORT — Liberty’s Jacob Hagen (27) dives to tackle Presbyterian’s Tobi Antigha during the 35-14 Flames victory. make it happen.”

On the ensuing possession, Presbyterian was able to put the ball in the end zone when quarterback Heys McMath completed a nine-yard pass to tight end Joey Gilkey to cut the Liberty lead to 14-7.

The Flames regained possession and saw an old face emerge in the backfield.

After missing the first nine games of the season due to suspension and injury, running back Aldreakis Allen saw his first action of the year. He ended the game with three carries for 22 yards.

“We are going to use all those guys,” Gill said. “(Allen) still has to get into game shape. He has only practiced five to seven times. We just gotta keep monitoring him to see if he is ready. I feel good about all of our backs, and we need all of them as we continue to move forward.”

After a Liberty missed field goal with 35 seconds left until halftime, McMath threw an errant pass that was intercepted

by Hagen, who returned the turnover and moved the Flames into Blue Hose territory.

With 18 seconds to go on third down, Woodrum completed a pass to tight end Dexter Herman for 11 yards, which set up a 14-yard touchdown run for Rice and pushed Liberty’s lead to 14 heading

the University of California Davis (UC Davis) 6-0 Friday, Nov. 8. It was the first time all season the Lady Flames played back-to-back-to-back days. The Lady Flames outscored opponents 11-2 in the tournament.

California, which beat the Lady Flames earlier in the year, could not come up with enough offensive firepower to win a second time. The Golden Bears kept it close, staying within one goal most of the game before Bethany Barr iced the game with a goal with one second remaining. Sarah Gipe and Richardson each added one goal apiece for the Lady Flames in the 3-1 victory.

The Lady Flames domi-

into halftime.

“It was actually supposed to be a passing play,” Rice said. “They must have seen something upstairs and checked it into a run. They really didn’t have anybody outside, and it was pretty wide open.”

Presbyterian started off with the ball in a third quarter that ended with a fouryard scamper into the end zone by McMath. On the next possession, Liberty went three and out.

Late in the third quarter with Presbyterian down seven, the Blue Hose decided to fake a punt on fourth down, but they were snuffed out by defensive lineman JaRon Greene.

“We have a guy to check for a fake in any situation,” Gill said. “This time, we called for a punt safe, where there are six to seven people checking for whether it is a pass or run.”

After the stop on fourth down, the Flames regained the ball at the Blue Hose 28-yard line. With 1:20 left in the third quarter, Rice ended the drive with a sixyard touchdown.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Liberty looked for the knockout blow. Woodrum threw a 45-yard pass to wide receiver Dante Shells, who caught it at the nine-yard line. Two plays later, Abnar

nated the UC Davis Aggies from the start in the Lady Flames second game of the tournament, outshooting them 17-3 on the afternoon. Five different players — Bethany Barr, Serena Barr, Hannah Dougherty and Hannah Jones — each scored once, while Sarah Gipe scored twice.

The Lady Flames will now be competing in their first-ever NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship Wednesday, Nov. 13 against the Colonial Athletic Association champion Delaware Blue Hens in the play-in round.

“It’s so crazy to think where we came from three years ago starting as a team,” Richardson said. “We were searching for our first Division I win, and now we’re standing in the NorPac Championship for the second time in a row, beating the No.10 team in the country.”

The Lady Flames are one of the hottest teams in the country heading into the tournament, winning their past 12 games and outscoring their opponents 57-9 during the streak.

TICHENOR is a sports reporter.

Steven Abbott | Liberty Champion

ON TO THE NEXT ONE — The Lady Flames moved on to their first NCAA tournament appearance.

punched it in from four yards out, giving the Flames a 21-point lead.

“It’s something (that) this staff has harped upon, and it’s finish, finish, finish,” Hyland said. “What Coach Gill has done the past couple games is bring us out in the fourth quarter and refocus our minds.”

Hagen led the Flames with nine tackles to go along with his forced fumble and interception.

Liberty plays its final home game against Brevard College Nov. 16 at 3:30.

Big South Update The No. 3 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers lost their first game of the season to the No. 16 Charleston Southern Buccaneers 31-26 Nov. 9. Liberty plays the Buccaneers Nov. 23 at 11 a.m. With a win, the Flames will earn a three-way tie for the Big South Championship.

“We heard about it during halftime that they lost,” Woodrum said. “I guess that’s pretty good for us. We needed them to not play well against Charleston Southern, but now we know we have to win out. There’s no doubt. We have to beat Charleston Southern.”

BATTLE is the sports editor.

QUEST continued from B1 managed to keep the Flames within striking distance, never trailing by more than 10 points during the first half.

Liberty went into the break with a 38-29 lead after a pair of free throws from Marshall with 0.6 seconds left in the half.

Early in the second half, the Flames struggled with turnovers.

Liberty turned the ball over four times in the first three minutes, allowing Randolph to find its way back in the game.

The Wildcats cut the lead to four just 2:35 into the second half with a layup by Dylan Shiflett and a three pointer from Jason Eddie.

But with the score 42-38, the Flames finally took control of the game with a 19-3 run, pushing their lead to 61-41. “(In the) second half, I thought we responded well,” Layer said.

During the run, junior Andrew Smith sparked the Flames off the bench with one of his two dunks.

“I’m trying to go up (for a dunk) every

Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion

RECOVERY — Burrus returned for the Flames. time,” Smith said. “And if I can’t, I’m trying to find a way up (for the dunk).”

Smith, who finished with 10 points and eight rebounds in just 16 minutes, also had two blocks, including a swat from behind on a breakaway layup. “(A block is) a big momentum swing, just as a dunk can be,” Smith said. “It catches them off guard, because they’re thinking they’re getting an easy shot, and it ends up getting some of their players out of position and

can start a fast break (for us).”

Liberty overpowered Randolph in the post throughout the game, outrebounding the Wildcats 39-27 and outscored Randolph 40-26 in the paint. “(Post play) was a big point of emphasis,” Smith said.

Liberty will next be in action Tuesday, Nov. 12 as they travel to take on William and Mary.

FOOTE is the asst. sports editor.

SPORTS

Liberty Champion/B4

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

Seniors savor final home-court match Courtney Tyree cntyree@liberty.edu

In its last home game of the regular season, the Liberty University women’s volleyball team (8-17, 7-5 Big South) secured a 3-0 win (25-15, 2515, 25-9) over the Campbell Fighting Camels (13-16, 3-9 Big South).

Seniors Jade Craycraft, Lillie Happel, Becca Haraf and Kendle Rollins were all a part of the starting lineup as they took their home court for the last time.

Craycraft posted nine kills, 22 assists and nine digs on the match. She is now the fifth person in program history to post 4,000 or more career assists. Rollins collected eight kills and four of Liberty’s six blocks on the match. Defensive specialists Allie Reynolds and Gabrielle Shipe posted 10 digs each.

Overall, the Flames outhit the Camels .284-.023. Liberty also led in digs, 46-36.

“All these kids come here with that

vision, and then they buy into our volleyball vision underneath that,” Head Coach Shane Pinder said. “I know that going through the program here, they became champions for Christ, and they are going to leave here and impact their realm of influence as much as they did here.”

Tears began to fall on the court as the last set came to a close.

“As the night went on, the emotions started to come, and toward the end, and it really hit me,” Happel said.

“But going in, I just tried to have a clear mindset and tried to not get too hyped up about it.”

When Rollins was asked what she would miss most about playing for the Flames, she responded, “Everything.”

“Coach Pinder has taught us so much,” Rollins said. “I feel like just going out into life, we are just so far ahead, learning so many life lessons and just making some best friends.”

Happel elaborated on how she is going to miss playing for Liberty.

“I think the passion on the court

TITLE continued from B1 putting goals in the back of the net.”

In their first match, the Highlanders outshot the Lady Flames 13-9.

“The girls had a lot of respect of Radford at that time and played a little bit timid,” Liberty Head Coach Jessica Hain said. “The Liberty team was still looking for their rhythm … the girls are playing a lot better than they were at the middle of the season, (they are) peaking at the right time. I think they were ready to see Radford again.”

Liberty opened the match with high energy and aggressive play, controlling the ball and the pace of the game. Two early crosses through Radford’s penalty box failed to yield any points, but the Lady Flames kept up the pressure.

Sophomore midfielder Brittany Aanderud then put Liberty on top early with a goal in the 14th minute. Aanderud settled a bouncing ball at the top of the penalty box with a careful touch toward the center of the arc and followed through with a powerful line drive shot to the bottom left corner of the goal, giving the Lady

is what I am going to miss the most — those couple points we work hours and hours for, just so we can celebrate with our team, and just those little moments are what really remind me why I love Liberty volleyball,” Happel said.

Pinder explained how important these four seniors are to his team and said that they have a lot of work to do in order to find athletes to replace them.

“We will have to try and fill big shoes obviously, and they have a lot of big points and matches under their belt and a lot of experience,” Pinder said. “So we’re going to have to train people underneath them and recruit athletes to come and try to fill in.”

The Lady Flames will go on the road for their last two games of the regular season, taking on the University of North Carolina at Asheville Friday Nov. 15 and Gardner-Webb Saturday, Nov. 16.

TYREE is a sports reporter.

“

I’m just so glad that I could get my job done and do whatever I could to help the team.

— GEENA SWENTIK

Flames a 1-0 lead.

Less than five minutes later, junior forward Alanna Dunkle sent an arcing cross through the goal box, where Swentik was standing at the far right post. Swentik volleyed the ball out of the air and into the back of the net for Liberty’s second goal.

The Lady Flames ended the first half up 2-0. Although Radford outshot Liberty 9-8 in the first 45 minutes of the game, Liberty had more scoring opportunities inside the penalty box.

“It was important for us to win both halves,” Hain said. “We said at halftime, ‘Pretend that the game is 0-0,’ because Radford is a great team, and they know how to win championships, and they’ve been here the past two years.”

Despite aggressive play by Radford to

Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion

SPIKE — The Lady Flames took full advantage of senior night, defeating the Fighting Camels 3-0.

start the second half, Liberty held firm with a combination of solid defense and continued pressure. Swentik added to the Lady Flames offense, notching her second goal in the 53rd minute when Aanderud passed the ball up the right side of the field to Dunkle, who then threaded a low cross to Swentik who sent the ball into the back of the net on her first touch.

“The two goals came from (Dunkle) and (Aanderud) doing amazing work and some great passes,” Swentik said.

“I’m just so glad that I could get my job done and do whatever I could to help the team.”

Rebecca Smith and Julia Delgatti added goals in the 73rd and 85th minutes, clinching the win for the Lady Flames.

Liberty outshot Radford 19-14 and placed 14 shots on goal compared to six by the Highlanders.

Although offense usually gets more attention, Hain said the team’s commitment to defense across the entire field was one of the major reasons they were able to pull off the upset victory.

The win guaranteed the Lady Flames an automatic bid into the NCAA Division

I Women’s Soccer Tournament, which will begin Friday, Nov. 15 and will take place at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary Grove, S.C. Liberty will be playing the No. 1 seed University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the opening round of the NCAA tournament Friday, Nov. 15.

On its path to the championship game, Liberty snuck past Presbyterian College 1-0 in the quarterfinals and beat High Point University 4-1 in the semifinal match Friday, Nov. 8.

Several Lady Flames players were recognized for their play both in the tournament and in the regular season.

Aanderud, Dunkle, Swentick and Casey Norris were named to the AllTournament Team with Aanderud being named the Tournament MVP. Aanderud and Norris were also named to the Big South First Team All-Conference, while Boone and Van Noord were named to the Second Team All-Conference. Julia Delgatti and Noord were named to the All-Freshman Team.

TELLERS is a sports reporter.

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FEATURE

OCTOBER 22, 2013

Liberty Champion/B5

Lynchburg Bridal Expo offers ideas

Produced by Capture It Events, LLC, the event exhibited many different options for weddings of future brides Melissa Skinner mjskinner@liberty.edu

When women are little girls, many dream of the day they will be able to slip into frilly white dresses and walk down the aisle into their prince charming’s arms. However, before that moment arrives, there is a vast array of tasks to accomplish, including selecting a venue, preparing invitations and deciding on a caterer.

The biannual Bridal Expo at the Holiday Inn in downtown Lynchburg, Va., Oct. 20 offered a variety of booths and helpful tips for brides planning their upcoming nuptials.

At the event, local brides connected with various bridal shops, cake artists, caterers, florists, premarital counselors, photographers, venue representatives, videographers and wedding magazine representatives.

Kim Jennings, owner and producer of the Lynchburg Bridal Expo, started the expo five years ago.

“I started this show because I saw the need for a quality bridals show in the area,” Jennings said. “The shows have grown by leaps and bounds every year and vendor spaces always sell out. This event hosts 65 of the areas finest wedding professionals.”

According to Jennings, the expo hosts two shows per year in February and October, and these shows always have record attendance. This show had 228 brides registered.

Jillian Springer| Liberty Champion

VOWS —Katelyn Diehl, intern for the Clutch Magazine, helped give brides advice to make their dream weddings a reality.

“

Brides can actually plan their entire wedding in one day by coming and meeting with vendors.

“The whole goal of the expo is to connect brides with quality wedding professionals,” Jennings said.

“Brides can actually plan their entire wedding in one day just by coming and meeting with vendors.”

Brides who preregistered for the event were admit-

— KIM JENNINGS ted for free, and brides who did not were required to pay $5 at the door.

One recently engaged bride, Camille Black, is planning her summer wedding and was seeking tips on venues in the area as well as catering.

“I have just started plan-

ning my wedding, and coming to this expo has helped me already decide on a location and a caterer that I would like to have,” Black said. “Every vendor is so helpful in offering tips and advice and with answering my questions.”

Black also had her fiancé

Peter Wilson with her. According to Black, Wilson has a strong passion for photography. He attended the event with her to help decide on the best one.

“I have loved taking pictures since I have been a child,” Wilson said. “Thus, I wanted to help my fiancé (Black) select the best possible photographer to capture our special day with accuracy and precision.”

Each vendor at the event was willing and available to accommodate anxious brides by answering their questions and

reassuring them that they would be the best fit for their special day.

Registered brides could also enter to win a free honeymoon giveaway and various vendors gave away door prizes to brides that stopped by their booths throughout the afternoon.

For more information on upcoming expos and wedding tips, brides can visit lynchburgbridalexpo. com or email info@captureevents.com.

SKINNER is a feature reporter.

SPORTS

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

Liberty Champion/B5

Running back’s journey defies odds Desmond Rice has cemented himself as the top running back in the crowded backfield for the Liberty Flames Jessica Velastegui jvelastegui@liberty.edu

It is 68 degrees on a Saturday night in the first days of fall. A cool breeze wisps in and out of the concrete valley joined together by freshly branded green turf. At the center, “LU” is painted on the grass outlined in white and navy, perfectly positioned at the center of the 50-yard line. Three swift steps are all it takes for Flames football player junior Desmond Rice to run across the school’s new logo as he heads for the end zone, making the score 31-7 against Kentucky Wesleyan University.

Out of the 100 players on the Liberty Flames football team, a handful of athletes are from Lynchburg, Va. Of that batch, five players attended and played football at Liberty Christian Academy (LCA), which was also founded by Dr. Jerry Falwell. According to Rice, this is where he fell in love with the game of football, and he attributes all he has learned to his high school coach, Frank Rocco.

“Without him, I don’t think I would be the type of man or football player I am today,” Rice said. “He instilled in me the value of hard work at a time when I was not a hardworking person.”

At 5 feet 8 inches tall, Rice is shorter on the scale of running backs, but he utilizes his size to weave through his competitors in pursuit of the end zone.

So far this season, Rice has scored a total of 78 points. A quick look at his stats from last year will show how becoming a starter has improved his performance since last season. While he played in 10 games, Rice gained 44 yards on 11 carries, and he also caught eight balls for 109 yards and a touchdown.

“I get a chance to prove myself on a regular basis,” Rice said. “I feel like my coaches and teammates trust me, because I am now in the starting position.”

Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion

RUNNING DOWN A DREAM — Rice has run for a team-leading 12 touchdowns and 881 yards this season.

In previous seasons, he has been second string to upperclassmen. But Rice said he never let that bring him down. His recently earned starting position has been years in the making.

“Coach Rocco used to always say to me, ‘Good, better, best. Never let it rest.

Until your good is your better and your better is your best.’”

Though the quote is from an old nursery rhyme, there is undeniable confidence in his voice when he says it, showing his desire to exhibit its message.

According to Seth Good, Rice’s friend

of 10 years who also played football, basketball and baseball with Rice at LCA, Rice has made big strides in his football career.

“It’s awesome,” Good said. “I’m glad to see a good friend of mine do well.

His work ethic has definitely improved.

He does his research and has become a smarter player on the field.”

The Flames football player now gets to perform for a crowd of thousands of fans at the collegiate level. He continues to have hometown support from fans that watched him play years before he donned

the Liberty Flames uniform.

“It lets me know that people appreciate the hard work I put in to get to where I am today,” Rice said. “They support me not only as a football player, but as a man growing up, and that motivates me to be successful.”

Rice said he does not take his fans for granted. Following every game, he can be found lingering on the field to allow time for those who attended the game to offer congratulations and take pictures.

VELASTEGUI is a guest writer.

Ruth Bibby | Liberty Champion

BREASTSTROKE — Liberty splits two meets over the weekend.

10 records shattered Derrick Battle

dbattle2@liberty.edu

In their only home meet this season, the Liberty Lady Flames (4-4, 1-0 Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association) swimming and diving team recognized its seniors in the 152-102 defeat of the Vanderbilt Commodores (1-3, 0-0 SEC) Friday, Nov. 8. The next day, Liberty traveled and fell to the defending Atlantic 10 Conference champion Richmond Spiders (6-1, 0-0 Atlantic 10) 152-138.

Senior Emilie Kaufman led the Flames with six individual victories during the weekend.

LU 152, Vanderbilt 102 The Lady Flames recognized Kaufman, Sarah Kendrick, Bethany Kennon and Sarah McCorkle, who all swam in the last meet in the Liberty Aquatic Center.

“This was a special day,” Head Coach Jake Shellenberger said. “We packed the place. I wish we had a picture of it. It is just a special occasion to honor the seniors who have been here since the start of the program.”

Kaufman posted three victories in the 100-yard backstroke, 100-yard breaststroke and 200-yard breaststroke. She set a new pool record of 57.17 in the 100yard backstroke. “(Kaufman) had a tough double with the 100 back, followed by the 100 breast, and that is not an easy double,” Shellenberger said. “But she came away with two wins in both of those events. She was tired, but she swam well today. She is a really good swimmer, and we are going to miss her next year.”

The Lady Flames posted two 1-2-3 and two 1-2 finishes against the Commodores. The meet opened with Liberty win-

ning the 200-yard medley relay and the 1,000-yard freestyle. Sophomore Kristen VanDeventer won the 1,000-yard freestyle, often trading first and second place during the race with her teammate Hannah Wakeley. VanDeventer eventually pulled away and set the first of 10 records with a time of 10:27.56.

Sophomore Jess Reinhardt and freshman Heather McCorkle set two Liberty swimming records each. Reinhardt clocked in at 2:06.00, which was two seconds ahead of Vanderbilt freshman Alex Blankenburg and was good for the win in the 200-yard butterfly. She also set the pace in the 100-yard butterfly, swimming three seconds faster than her competition (54.97).

“This was by design to have a meet tonight, and having to get up and drive to Richmond tomorrow,” Shellenberger said. “We want to challenge the women a little bit with two meets in a row.”

Richmond 152, LU 138 The Lady Flames posted eight victories in their loss to the Spiders. Kaufman posted three victories in the 200-yard IM, 200-yard breaststroke and 100-yard breaststroke. Reinhardt followed with two wins.

Richmond won the first eight of 10 events to start the meet. Richmond also had a 32-2 advantage in diving points.

The Lady Flames won the last six events, including a 1-2-3 finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay. But the Spiders advantage in diving points helped Richmond hold on to its lead.

Liberty will compete in the Virginia Tech Invitational in Christiansburg, Va., Nov. 21-23 at 10 a.m.

BATTLE is the sports editor.

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FEATURE

Liberty Champion/B6

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

Photographer gains inspiration Rachael Graf uses photos she took during her trip to Honduras to tell stories of heartbreak and hope Jeremy Beale Jbeale3@liberty.edu Emily Brown erbrown@liberty.edu

In the field of photography, as a camera lens snaps shut, it is accompanied by the idea that a moment in time is frozen in an instant, forever capturing a memory.

GRAF Liberty University sophomore Rachael Graf relishes this unique idea in her photography. Two of her photographs, which were featured in Liberty’s Student Activities-hosted Art Expo Nov. 1, are examples of the stories told through art.

While on a mission trip to Honduras during the summer of 2013, Graf received the inspiration and opportunity to take the two photos featured in the expo, which she calls “Amada” and “El Reino de Dios.” “(When) I went to Honduras, God really changed my life, showing me not only how much he loved me, but how much he loved other people,” Graf said.

Graf took her first photo, “Amada,” which means “beloved” in Spanish, during a prayer walk in the inner city of Honduras.

The photo captures the plight of a young girl in Honduras who constantly has to fight the troubles of living in a povertystricken area.

“Sadly, I never actually spoke to her — Amada as I called her,” Graf said. “Her face just cap-

“

I like to say that God makes the picture, and I just take them. The pictures are already there. I’m just the one pressing the shutter button. — RACHAEL GRAF

tured so much emotion … that so many children struggle with each day in Honduras, where children are being subjected to the harsh realities of life and being forced to grow up too quickly.”

According to Graf, when she first took the photo, she did not pay much attention to the girl.

However, in retrospect, she realized that the girl represented more than just an empty gaze.

Graf said she often pondered what Amada was thinking as she stared into the lens of the camera that day.

“I titled the picture ‘Amada’ because I don’t know if she felt loved,” Graf said.

For her second photo, “El Reino de Dios,” which means “the kingdom of God” in Spanish, Graf said the photo captures emotions completely opposite those of “Amada.”

“Amada” speaks to people about the heartbreak in the world, whereas “El Reino de Dios” speaks about hope, according to Graf. “El Reino de Dios” captures the emotion and motivation behind a playful and energetic girl.

“Looking at ‘El Reino de Dios,’ I see so much innocence and joy and mischief and carefulness and delight,” Graf said.

“Just looking at that picture, I see what Jesus calls his followers to

be — innocent, joyful, full of life, trusting and at peace.”

Graf said she wants the picture to inspire those who look at it to be more “childlike — not childish, completely unhindered (and) delightedly abandoned to (God).”

In her chosen hobby of photography, Graf said God provides the opportunity, and she simply follows the Holy Spirit’s prompting to put her camera to use. Graf said she believes that a lot of her photos would not exist had it not been for her obedience to God’s leading.

“I like to say that God makes the picture, and I just take them,” Graf said. “The pictures are already there, I’m just the one pressing the shutter button.”

According to Graf, every photo she takes tells a story of God’s glory.

“Each of these pictures has feeling,” Graf said. “They have smells. They have different places and different memories. They aren’t just simple images. Instead, they are memories reflecting God’s glory, God’s creativity and God’s heart.”

By entering “Amada” and “El Reino de Dios” in the Art Expo, Graf said she hoped to share stories about some of the joys and heartbreaks of God and stories of God’s glory with the public.

photo provided

INSPIRATION — Rachael Graf shows her passion for phography and missions through photos like “El Reino de Dios” (above).

“I never set out to be a photographer, but I feel like it is something that God has given me to glorify him,” Graf said. “I want my photographs to be pleasing to God, opening the eyes of people and helping them understand the gospel by showing them God’s incredible love for them.”

As she continues in photography, Graf said she hopes her pho-

tos are more than just ink splashed on glossy paper. She hopes they tell a story and shed light on the savior to whom she gives all the glory.

BEALE is a feature reporter.

BROWN is a copy editor.

A WINTE R WONDERLAND

Friday, December 6 11:30 pm

Vines Center

tickets on sale now: $3 advance purchase at liberty.edu/sa

FEATURE

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

Liberty Champion/B7

Courtney Russo| Liberty Champion

COMPETITION — The Game Night allowed students and CFAW guests to relax after a long day of classes and special sessions.

CFAW Game Night draws crowd Guests and students were invited to enjoy laser tag, prizes, food, a photo booth and other activities Melissa Skinner mjskinner@liberty.edu

During each fall and spring semester, high school students from all over the country come to Liberty University to attend College for a Weekend (CFAW). During CFAW, guests attend classes, Convocation, various sporting events and other activities.

As a part of CFAW, Liberty’s Student Activities (SA) hosted Game Night in the Schilling Center for guests and current Liberty students Friday, Nov. 8.

At Game Night, SA provided laser tag, video games, a photo booth, prizes, snacks and various other activities for those who attended the event to enjoy.

Rebecca Oliver, a high school student from Ohio, was a CFAW guest who went to Game Night.

“I have never been to Liberty before, and I am extremely impressed with all the activities offered to students on a weekly basis,” Rebecca Oliver said. “I think it is great that there is a department specifical-

“

Every time I visit Liberty, I am always overwhelmed by everybody’s kindness and the amount of activities that are offered to students.

— SARAH THOMPSON

ly at this school that hosts events geared toward students having fun.”

Rebecca Oliver’s mom Sandra Oliver decided to take her daughter to visit Liberty because she heard from one of her best friends that Liberty offers a vast array of recreational activities.

“I want to send my daughter to a school where she can have fun in the midst of her studies,” Sandra Oliver said. “After attending this event with her and seeing students and guests having so much fun together, we have decided that this will be the place for her.”

Although the event was geared toward CFAW guests, according to SA employ-

ees, current Liberty students were also invited to Game Night.

Hannah Jones, a senior engineering major, attended the event with her CFAW guest Sarah Thompson in order to show Thompson the best of Liberty.

“I wanted to show (her) all the fun activities offered to Liberty students,” Jones said. “There are so many fun things offered here to students, and I think that it is easy to forget that as a student. Having a CFAW guest stay with me this weekend has reminded me that this school really is so wonderful.”

This was Sarah Thompson’s second time visiting Liberty as a CFAW guest,

and she has decided that she wants to attend Liberty after she graduates from high school in May. “Every time I visit Liberty, I am always overwhelmed by everybody’s kindness and the amount of activities that are offered to students,” Thompson said. “I cannot wait to be a student next fall and be able to attend these game nights with my dorm.”

Liberty invites guests to visit four times a year for CFAW, with the next CFAW beginning Feb. 20, 2014.

SKINNER is a feature reporter.

RACE continued from B8

Sam Chappell| Liberty Champion

MILITARY— The Marines took first place in the competition between military branches.

race a few weeks ago and finished sixth place,” Weston said. “I’ve also run in ultramarathons.”

Weston believes that the race was a good way to end Military Appreciation Week. “(The race) was tough and challenging,” Weston said. “(It’s) a good way to show appreciation for those that are doing things that are tough and challenging.”

Erika Layne, a current Liberty student, said that she appreciated the support she received from the other runners during the race.

“I enjoyed it,” Layne said.

“The encouraging people warmed my heart, and it

makes me smile to know that people care.”

According to Layne, her first race was the Deep Hollow race that was held a few weeks ago, and the Valley View was her second race.

Layne placed third in the 20-29 age group.

An awards ceremony in which winners received their medals was held in the Barrick-Falwell Lodge at Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre after the race was finished.

Marines won the competition between the different U.S. Military branches, while Army came in second place and Navy in third.

BUNNER is a feature

reporter.

FEATURE

B8

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

Ruth Bibby| Liberty Champion

COMEDY — Theater-goers embrace the comedy of differing personalities when an unexpected Christmas guest shows up at the door of an Ohio family in the latest play.

Thanksgiving season begins with laughter The Department of Theatre Arts cast of 35 students presents ‘The Man Who Came to Dinner’ Nov. 8-22 Katey Roshetko kroshetko@liberty.edu

“The Man Who Came To Dinner” opened Nov. 8 in the Tower Theater to an audience ready to laugh until their sides hurt.

The cast and crew of more than 35 students, under the direction of Christopher Nelson, told the heart-warming comedy of a gruff New York radio personality, Sheridan Whitehead, who slips on the ice outside the home of an Ohio businessman and his family. He is forced to remain their guest over Christmas until his injuries heal and quickly makes himself at home, running the house like his own.

“It’s really about the colliding (personalities) of Sheridan Whiteside, this celebrity who’s got a very sharp tongue, versus the midwestern Ohio family who is having their whole world turned upside down,” Nelson said.

In Whitehead’s invalid state, he celebrates the Christmas holidays by entertaining a host of interesting friends, from an insect expert to a Broadway star. The tone

“

You come in. You laugh. You leave.

Then you leave (saying), ‘You know, I’ve forgotten the world for a few hours.

— JACOB WALLIN

of the play changes when his beloved and charming secretary falls in love with a local newspaperman. Whitehead must choose between his happiness and hers, but he is not quick to give up his selfish ways. Theatre arts major Gordon Lewanowicz plays the surly grouch, but notes that despite his abrasive nature, Whitehead also has a lot of wit and heart.

“I love to make people laugh,” Lewanowicz said. “It’s so much fun bringing joy to the audience. But the only reason why I’m funny is because of the people in the cast. It would be a very boring show if it was just Sheridan Whiteside.”

The show itself was not without its own unique set of challenges. Stage Manager Jacob Wallin explained that most of the upperclassmen and the director also par-

ticipated in Les Misérables, which closed only a few weekends earlier.

“We have not stopped rehearsing or performing since August,” he said. “We are all battling exhaustion.”

For Nelson, tackling two shows in one semester was no small feat. While performing as Thénardier in Les Misérables, he was also directing his own cast and crew on “The Man Who Came to Dinner.”

“It’s been a very busy semester,” Nelson said. “But I love directing. I see myself as a coach (helping) the actors find those key moments. I get to be the audience before there is an audience.”

Wallin said that a comedy of this nature does not require the audience to do a lot of thinking but instead just gives them a

break from reality for a bit.

“You come in. You laugh. You leave,” Wallin said. “You get to just enjoy the writing and the acting. Then you leave (saying), ‘You know, I’ve forgotten the world for a few hours.’”

Joel Ledbetter, a theatre arts major who is in the play, said that sometimes in life, people just have to laugh at themselves, which is exactly the opportunity “The Man Who Came to Dinner” provides.

“Sometimes we’re just silly,” Ledbetter said. “I think this is a moment for people to come in and laugh at the life of all the characters and just realize how silly we all are. We are funny people.”

The show will continue to run up to Thanksgiving break. Performances will be Nov. 15, 16, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 17 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in the Vines Center box office, online at ticketreturn.com or over the phone at (434) 582-2085. Prices are $8 for students, $13 for faculty, staff, seniors and active military and $15 for adults.

ROSHETKO is a feature reporter.

Souls ‘Awaken’ All female ministry leads people to Christ Nicole Steenburgh nksteenburgh@liberty.edu

Sam Chappell | Liberty Champion

DETERMINATION — About 160 runners gathered at Liberty Snowflex Centre for the race.

SA race honors military Valley View 5-Mile Trail Race included veteran participants Ashley Bunner abunner@liberty.edu

A crisp fall morning greeted runners that gathered at the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre for the fifth-annual Valley View 5-Mile Trail Race, which was hosted by Liberty University’s Student Activities (SA) Saturday, Nov. 9.

According to Elizabeth Karr, an SA employee, there were approximately 160 runners at this year’s race.

The race was the last event of Military Appreciation Week at Liberty. Karr said that the race is special because it is the only appreciation race SA hosts.

According to SA employee

Joshua Yeoman, the Military Affairs office does a lot to help SA promote the race among past and present military members at Liberty.

“We have camouflage numbers for current military members and veterans,” Yeoman said. “We also have a small competition between the different branches. Last year, the Marines won the team category. Military (members) also receive a commemorative coin at the finish line.”

Furthermore, the race helped promote military appreciation by having Liberty ROTC help with parking for the race and by allowing military members to run the race

a discounted price.

The race began and ended at Snowflex. According to Yeoman, most of the course was on a single trail, but the course does travel down some forest roads, one of which is named Valley View road.

Griffen Weston, 25, finished the race in first place with a time of 35:48. Weston is a Liberty alumnus who graduated with a degree in exercise science.

According to Weston, who is an experienced runner, the race was tiring, but still fun and challenging.

“I ran the Deep Hollow

See RACE, B7

Awaken is a Liberty University ministry team that encourages fellow believers both at home and across the country. But what sets this group apart from other teams at Liberty is the fact that it is comprised solely of young women.

According to liberty.edu/ministryteams, Awaken is a team that specializes in ministering to women and teenage girls. The team’s goal is to “help bring young women to a deeper relationship with their creator.”

One way the team works toward this goal is by being a regular part of the women’s ministry at Thomas Road Baptist Church. Awaken has the opportunity to lead worship during the TRBC’s women’s weekly devotion Coffee Break, according to trbc.org.

Awaken also encourages teenage girls by participating in conferences, which usually take place twice a month. According to Lakresha Chennis, the band leader of Awaken, most of the time, the team members touch lives through worship or giving their testimonies. Additionally, they are often given the opportunity to speak on “identity” topics that young girls typically struggle with, such as relationships and purpose.

Chennis is a senior at Liberty studying religion. With her major and her passion for counseling and teaching, she wants to teach the Old Testament specifically to women. Along with the responsibilities of her major and of band

leader, Chennis also sings and plays the acoustic guitar with the team.

“It’s been a blessing and a light to be a part of this team,” Chennis said. “The highlight of the week for me is (working with) Awaken.”

Chennis’ love for this team comes, in part, from the time they spend in prayer before each practice and from the women’s Bible study in which each member is involved.

They also recognize and accept one another as family members, according to Chennis, and this bond promotes growth within the group.

“I’ve experienced the most growth at Liberty with Awaken,” Chennis said. “Last year was a challenge musically, and now I’m on leadership, and I’m learning what type of leader I am.”

According to Chennis, being a part of Awaken has helped her to make the decision to incorporate worship wherever she is called after college.

“Wherever the Lord has me teaching, I can do worship,” Chennis said.

And wherever her calling is, Chennis is prepared for God’s plan for her life.

“The Lord has always directed my steps and prepared me for the next step,” Chennis said. “Whether through music, speaking or teaching, He has put women on my heart. It is why God has called me, not where God has called me. It is solely to glorify Him and to be a vessel.”

STEENBURGH is a feature

reporter.