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Home , Baltimore Stallions, Bob Leahy, Dwayne Carswell, Kelvin Edwards, Liberty Flames football, Montreal Machine

Athletic Facilities High-tech machines crafted by the indus- try’s top manufacturers, as well as other mod- ern strength and conditioning apparatuses, are available to student-ath- letes. , named in honor of A.L. Williams, is located near the entrance of the campus and has been the home of the foot- ball program since 1989. The football stadium seats 12,000 with expansion capabilities up to 36,000. During the summer of 2006, a 60,000- square foot facility was completed in the North end zone of the stadium as the Williams Football Operation Center became the football program’s new home off the field. The new, state-of-the-art facility gives Liberty one of the nicest I-AA football facilities in the nation, housing coaching and support staff offices, a spacious locker room, academic learning areas, a training room and a weight room. The centerpiece of the facility is a 3,000 square foot room that overlooks Williams Stadium where Flames Club members can watch home games. A final facility upgrade to Williams Hancock Weight Room Stadium was completed just prior to the kick- off of the 2006 season as FieldTurf was installed. When looking at the success of an athletic Hancock. Offices housed in the Hancock The Vines Convocation Center, home to program, one aspect that needs to be consid- Center include the entire football operations, all men’s and women’s and volley- ered is the quality of its facilities. Student-ath- the athletic media relations department, ball games, is a 9,000-seat facility which was letes involved in Liberty University’s athletic offices for the track and men’s soccer coach- completed in 1990. In 1998, the program have the opportunity to showcase ing staffs and administrative offices. The hosted the 46th best home attendance in the their talents in a number of fine athletic facili- Hancock Center also includes a spacious nation as the women’s basketball team aver- ties. Like the program itself, these on-campus 8,500-square foot weight room that is utilized aged over 1,700 fans per contest. facilities have improved tremendously since by the entire athletic program. Basketball, volleyball and a number of the program’s inception in 1973. The weight room is furnished with the other indoor activities can take place in the The Hancock Athletic Center, dedicated most modern equipment available for devel- versatile Schilling Center. The men's and on February 12, 1985, was donated by A.L. oping speed, strength and endurance. The women's basketball teams held their home Williams and his wife, Angela, in honor of her spacious two-tiered facility has a free weight games in what was then known as Liberty parents, Sidney Lanier and Willemae Gates area that contains over 10 tons of weights. Gym in this facility from 1979 to 1990. The

Matthes-Hopkins Track Complex, Worthington Stadium Liberty Soccer Field & The Hancock Athletic Center

16 Athletic Facilities Inside the Vines Center Tolsma Track Center

Schilling Center has two full-court areas that The Matthes-Hopkins Track Complex is reinstated. Over the last two years, the facility are also utilized for class instruction, intramu- the home of the Flames’ successful track pro- has received numerous upgrades, including a ral events and special activities. In 2005, the gram. The track, which features a new backstop and an enclosed hitting circuit facility was upgraded to give Liberty’s basket- polyurethane surface, is named after former with two new batting cages. ball programs two new practice courts. track coaches Jake Matthes and Ron The newest athletic facility made available Home games are played at the Hopkins. The same facility holds the Liberty to Liberty University student-athletes is the beautiful Worthington Stadium. Recognized Soccer Field where both the men’s and Tolsma Indoor Track Center, located in the by Sportsturf Magazine as the best field in women’s soccer teams play. In 1996, lights heart of Liberty’s Campus North building. The the nation in 1998, the facility was named in were added so that games could be played at indoor center is one of just three indoor track honor of Al Worthington, who began the night. facilities in the state of Virginia and features a Flames baseball program in 1974. He also Liberty’s tennis teams have been signifi- flat 200-meter oval with a Mondo surface. The served as the athletics director from 1984-89. cantly enhanced by the recent addition of track has a wide radius, a four-lane oval and The Crowder-Muckel Fieldhouse is locat- three new tennis courts at the Esbenshade- an eight-lane straightaway. Also located in the ed adjacent to Worthington Stadium. The Hershey Match Center, bringing the total num- complex are two long/triple jump runways, a clubhouse, which is one of the finest baseball ber of on-campus tennis courts to seven. The pole vault runway and a high jump apron. facilities in the country, includes locker rooms athletic department has recently renovated a The recent purchase of a FinishLynx tim- for both the Flames and the visiting teams, a facility in the center of the tennis courts to be ing system will greatly increase the ability to team room, weight room, training room, used to further enhance the tennis program. host high-level high school and NCAA meets umpires’ locker room, public restrooms for The Liberty softball program has played at the facility as well as at the university’s out- the fans, sky box seating and full-length bat- its home games at the Liberty Softball Field door track complex. ting cages. since 1994, the same year the program was

Liberty Softball Field Esbenshade-Hershey Tennis Center

www.LibertyFlames.com 17 Athletic Administration Dr. Jerry Falwell also planning to build a new home for Jeff Barber Chancellor Thomas Road Baptist Church in a Director of Athletics 12,000-seat sanctuary adjacent to the As Jerry Falwell pro- Liberty University campus. Jeff Barber was ceeds through his fifth For more than 30 years, Jerry named the Director of decade as a pastor, Falwell has been telling students, "You Athletics at Liberty Christian educator and don't determine a man's greatness by University on January conservative activist, his talent or wealth, as the world 23, 2006, becoming few realize how unlike- does, but rather, by what it takes to the 10th Director of ly a candidate he was for the Christian discourage him." While many things Athletics in the history of the ministry. His grandfather was a self- can be said of him, it cannot be said University. avowed atheist and his father, a suc- that Jerry Falwell has allowed contro- The University has charged Barber cessful businessman, was an agnostic versy, criticism or adversity to dis- with the future leadership of the ath- who hated preachers and also ran an courage him. letics department and the building of illegal boot-leg whiskey operation dur- However, despite his national a strong financial basis for the depart- ing the Prohibition era. Falwell hated prominence, those who know him ment that will guide Liberty University public speaking and went to college to well will always remember him sim- athletics into the ranks of the elite study mechanical engineering and ply as pastor. After all, that is his call- NCAA Division I athletic programs in journalism. ing. the nation. Today, Jerry Falwell, 73, celebrates Barber has wasted little time making his 50th year as pastor of Thomas Dr. Ron Godwin an impact at Liberty as, in just seven Road Baptist Church and his 35th year Executive Vice President/COO months, he has been instrumental in as Chancellor of Liberty University. several key programs that have Utilizing broadcasting, direct mail and Dr. Ronald Godwin improved Liberty’s functionality, publishing, Falwell built a Christian serves as Executive including numerous athletic facility broadcasting and education ministry Vice President and upgrades and the addition of athletics that has impacted millions of people Chief Operating Officer department staff members. worldwide from an unlikely headquar- for Liberty University. During the summer months, Barber ters, his hometown of Lynchburg, Va. However, for a total of more than 15 spearheaded athletic facility upgrades The church started in 1956 with 35 years, Dr. Godwin has worked directly to the Vines Center with the resurfac- charter members and is now one of for the Chancellor of Liberty ing of the court and surrounding the largest in the country, with 24,000 University via many of Liberty’s affili- areas, while also making it possible to members. In 1971, four years after ated ministries. resurface the original flooring in the founding a Christian day school, During a long administrative career upper part of the Hancock Athletic Falwell opened the doors to Liberty he has held a variety of leadership Center weight room. University. Today, some 17,200 resi- positions including two presidencies At Williams Stadium, Barber was dent and external students from 50 of private Christian colleges, able to initiate a program that has states and 74 countries are now Executive Vice President of the given the football home of the Flames enrolled at Liberty, making it the Washington Times, Executive Vice a new playing surface with the instal- largest evangelical Christian school in President of the Moral Majority, lation of new FieldTurf at the stadium the world. President of Jerry Falwell Ministries, and numerous smaller projects to aes- His public life has been highly publi- President of Liberty Broadcast net- thetically improve the appearance of cized for many things – including the work, President of Liberty University the facility. political movement known as the Foundation and more recently, Dean However, Barber’s chief facility “religious right” and the Moral of the Helms School of Government accomplishment since joining the Majority; a U.S. Supreme Court case, and Senior Administrator of Flames in February was prodding debates with liberal politicians and Residential Recruiting. along the completion of the Williams theologians and crusading for various Dr. Godwin received his B.A. from Football Operation Center, the new moral, social and political issues and Bob Jones University, his M.S. from 60,000-square foot state-of-the-art causes. Old Dominion University, and his home base for the football program. Having raised more than $3 billion Ph.D. in Post-Secondary Planning and In addition to Barber’s athletic facili- and traveled some 2.5 million miles in Management from Florida State ty achievements, the new Director of support of various projects, a tireless University. Athletics has spurred a dramatic Jerry Falwell continues to work and Dr. Godwin and his wife, Carol increase in Flames Club memberships plan for the future. Among his highest Stanley Godwin, are members of and season ticket sales for football. priorities is raising a $1 billion endow- Thomas Road Baptist Church and Membership collections for the ment for Liberty. both serve on the board of the Liberty Flames Club reached the $100,000 The chief fundraiser and recruiter Godparent Home. They currently level early in the summer of 2006, the for the school since its inception, reside in Forest with Dr. Godwin’s 97 quickest in the organization’s history, Chancellor Falwell is determined to year old father, Mr. Jacob M. Godwin. while football season ticket sales eliminate all debt and secure Liberty’s more than doubled the 2005 total future well beyond his lifetime. He is sales.

18 Liberty Flames Football Athletic Administration Barber brought a wealth of experi- Before joining the staff at East also served three years as Assistant ence in the areas of athletic fundrais- Carolina, Barber served three years in Athletic Director for Football ing and administration to Liberty major and minor league baseball as Operations (2002-04), five years as University, including 25 years in the he was the Assistant General Assistant Athletic Director for Budget athletic industry. Manager of the Columbia Mets in and Marketing (1997-2001) and four Barber came to Liberty after spend- Columbia, S.C. (1985-86) and Director years as the ticket office manager and ing 11 years at South Carolina, includ- of Operations for the Expos executive director of the Flames Club ing his last three years as Senior Spring Training Camp in West Palm (1993-96). Associate Athletic Director for Beach, Fla. (1986-87). While working with the football pro- Development/Gamecock Club After graduating from East Carolina, gram as the Director of Operations, Executive Director. Barber served as a health and physi- Guridy was responsible for the foot- Barber served on the senior man- cal education teacher in Columbia, ball budget, scheduling, team travel agement team at South Carolina for S.C. for four years (1981-85), while and training, camp organization, while nine years, helping raise more than coaching football and basketball. also working closely with the athletic $14 million annually, while working Barber graduated from cum laude at department's marketing department closely with legendary football coach- East Carolina in 1981 with a bachelor to further the promotion of the es Lou Holtz and Steve Spurrier of science degree in health, physical Flames' football team. Barber supervised the solicitation education and recreation. In 1997, he As the Director of Budget, he moni- and receipt of over $85 million during continued his education with a degree tored the budgetary dealings and his tenure at South Carolina, setting from the Sports Management expenditures for each sport and also records each year in annual gifts to Institute, graduating as class oversaw the day-to-day business the Gamecock Club, which was at spokesman. operations of the athletic department. 16,500 members when he finished. He Barber, a native of Greenville, N.C., As the marketing director, Guridy was was also responsible for all major is married to the former Donna Dacus responsible for marketing the 17-sport gifts to the Gamecock Club that and the couple has three children – athletic department through gaining exceeded $15,000 annually and devel- Katie (11), Lindsay (9) and Jay (8). advertising, corporate sponsorships oped that level of giving from 21 and exposing Liberty Athletics to the Mickey Guridy members to 137 at his time of depar- public. Associate Athletics Director– ture. Internal Operations He was responsible for Liberty’s Barber joined the athletics depart- marketing efforts from 1997-2002, ment at South Carolina in 1996 as an A veteran of the which paid great dividends for the Assistant Athletic Director for athletic department, athletic department. Because of his Development and was promoted to Mickey Guridy is efforts, football home average atten- Associate Athletic Director/Gamecock entering his 14th year dance reached an all-time high, aver- Club Executive Director in 1999. of service at Liberty and currently aging over 10,000 fans in 1998, which Prior to his days at South Carolina, serves as the Associate Athletics ranked in the Top-35 of NCAA Division Barber served five years at Furman in Director for Internal Operations, a I-AA. Greenville, S.C., starting as Executive position he was promoted to on July Overall basketball attendance led Director of the Paladin Club in 1991 1, 2006. He served as the Interim the conference every year and the before being promoted to Senior Director of Athletics from November 1997 home attendance was ranked in Associate Athletic Director for 2005 to February 2006. the Top-100 of the country. During the External Affairs in 1994. As the Athletics Department’s 2000 football season, Guridy was While at Furman, Barber was Internal Operations director, Guridy instrumental in providing a family fun responsible for the collection of $14 oversees the day-to-day business atmosphere at Williams Stadium million in revenue from annual giving, operations of the athletics department called “Liberty Land”. capital gifts and endowed gifts, while in terms of budgets and human Also during his tenure at Liberty, guiding the Paladin Club to gifts total- resources. He oversees event man- Guridy has been the marketing and ing $3.75 million with records set for agement and works closely with the tournament director for the Big South five-consecutive years. He was also Director of Athletic Facilities to ensure Basketball Tournament (1995-98), the the chairman of the Furman Pro-Am that facilities are maintained and operations director for the Virginia Golf Endowment Tournament totaling upgraded. He is also in charge of spe- High School League State Basketball receipts of $6.5 million. cial projects for the athletics depart- Tournament for five years and has Barber got his start in collegiate ath- ment. also worked with the Tour DuPont, the letic administration at his alma mater Prior to his current position, Guridy Old Dominion Athletic Conference as the Assistant Director of East served as the Assistant Athletic Baseball Tournament and many high Carolina’s Pirate Club in 1987. While Director for Business Operations from school tournaments in the Lynchburg serving four years with the Pirates, July of 2005 to November of 2005. In area. Barber participated in the receipt of November of 2005, Guridy was A native of Mechanicsville, Va., annual giving of $4 million to the named the Interim of Director of Guridy completed his bachelor’s Pirate Club, while organizing and Athletics and served in that capacity degree in sport management in 1993 managing Pirate Club actions and for four months. from Liberty and completed his mas- Pirate Pro-Am fundraisers. During his tenure at Liberty, he has ter's degree in business administra-

www.LibertyFlames.com 19 Athletic Administration tion at Averrett College in September Player of the Year. attended the Big South institution on 2000. Hollyfield left her mark on the Lady a field hockey scholarship and served Guridy, and his wife Erin have two Flames’ record book as she finished as team captain her senior year. sons – Sam and Abe – and reside in her career as the school’s single sea- The native of Richmond, Va. later the Lynchburg area. son RBI record holder after by finish- continued her educational pursuits, ing the 2000 season with 60 RBI. She earning her master’s degree in special Meredith Hollyfield currently ranks in several career sta- education from Radford and an edu- Associate Athletics Director For tistical categories, including third in cation specialist degree in administra- Compliance/Senior Woman Administrator hits (182), second in RBI (114), sixth in tion and supervision from Virginia. home runs (17) and second in at bats Meredith Hollyfield (625). Dr. William Gribbin is entering her sixth Hollyfield completed her master’s NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative year as a member of degree in counseling from Liberty in the Liberty University 2005, graduating with Magna Cum Dr. William Gribbin athletic department and was promot- Laude honors, and currently resides in is in his 17th year ed to the position of Associate the Lynchburg area. serving as Liberty’s Athletics Director For Compliance on Kristie Beitz NCAA Faculty Athletic July 2006, while she has been the Associate Athletics Director For Representative to the Athletics Department Senior Woman Academic Service National Collegiate Athletic Administrator since May 2005. Association (NCAA). He is responsible Hollyfield, who is the third adminis- Kristie Beitz is the for verifying eligibility of the student- trator in the school’s history to serve newest member to the athletes and acts as a liaison between as Senior Woman Administrator, will Liberty University the academic and athletic communi- oversee and manage five women’s Athletics Department ties. programs (softball, women’s basket- senior staff manage- An ex-officio member of the Faculty ball, women’s soccer, women’s tennis ment team as she was appointed Senate Athletic Committee, Gribbin and volleyball), while serving as the Associate Athletics Director - also chaired the steering committee of direct reporting senior for those pro- Academic Affairs for Athletics in July. Liberty’s self-study for NCAA certifica- gram’s head coaches to the athletic In her role, Beitz directs the tion. He currently serves on the Big department. Academic Affairs for Athletics depart- South Conference’s Compliance Hollyfield joined the Liberty ment, which oversees each student- Committee. University athletic department in athletes’ academic progress, including Gribbin has served as the Dean of October 2001 as the Director of academic advising and tutoring, while Liberty’s School of Communications Compliance and continues to oversee serving as the liaison between the stu- from its beginning in 1984, and has the department today. dent-athlete and the University’s aca- taught English since arriving at Hollyfield serves as the liaison demic community. Liberty in 1980. He currently teaches between the University and the NCAA Beitz and her team of academic the English methods course and services as well as the Big South coordinators work closely with each supervises student teachers. Conference. She is responsible for athletic program in an effort to assure He graduated from Edinboro educating the athletic administration, that every student-athlete is giving the University of Pennsylvania in 1964 coaches and boosters on current opportunity to earn a degree and with a bachelor’s degree in English NCAA rules and regulations, as well secure a meaning career after gradua- Education and returned to Edinboro to as overseeing compliance issues as tion. earn his master’s degree in English set forth by the NCAA to all coaches Beitz comes to Liberty after serving education in 1971. Gribbin earned a and student athletes. She also han- three years as a member of the Office Ph.D. in education administration dles all transfer and eligibility of Academic Affairs for Athletics at from The Pennsylvania State processes. Virginia where she was a study skills University in 1977. Hollyfield graduated from Liberty specialist and academic coordinator. Gribbin and his wife, Phyllis, reside University with a bachelor’s degree in As a member of the Cavaliers’ athlet- in Forest, Va. exercise science and fitness program- ics department, Beitz assisted the stu- ming in May 2001. The Hurricane, dent-athletes with time management, Bruce Carey W.Va., native graduated with Magna study and organizational skills, while Assistant Athletic Director For Cum Laude honors. also serving as an academic advisor Television Media While at Liberty, she was a four-year and in the areas of recruiting. Bruce Carey is member of the Lady Flames’ softball Prior to her days at Virginia, Beitz entering his fourth team were she served as the team was a special education teacher and year as a member of captain her junior and senior years. coordinator at Glenvar High School in the athletic depart- Hollyfield was named to the Big South Salem, Va. for six years. While at ment and serves the all-conference squad twice, while Glenvar, Beitz taught classes in earth staff as Assistant Athletic Director for receiving her highest honors in 2000 science, biology and English. Television Media. His day-to-day ath- when she was named the Big South Beitz received her bachelor degree letic responsibilities are to handle all Player of the Year and the VaSID Co- in social sciences from Radford as she aspects of furthering the department’s

20 Liberty Flames Football Athletic Administration television coverage on a local, nation- documentary entitled “The Perfect information director in 1975, also han- al and world wide level and to serve Season”, highlighting the Liberty dling coverage for the football and as a liaison between the university University women’s basketball unde- baseball programs. After graduation and other media outlets in the area of feated 1997-98 season. He was also in 1977, he was named the school’s television. given a Communicator Award for his first-ever sports information director Since joining the athletic staff, Carey documentary entitled “Beyond and remained in the position until has been instrumental in dramatically Bataan”. 1985, which allowed him to see the expanding the department’s television The native of Washington, D.C., department grow from the NCCAA coverage, including the overseeing of Carey graduated from Danville level to NCAA Division I status. the broadcast of each home volley- Community College in 1971 with an During his tenure, Keys produced 44 ball, women’s basketball and men’s associate’s degree in drafting and publications that received CoSIDA basketball game during the 2003-04, design technology and has graduated honors at the regional and national 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons, as well with an ICS degree in television and levels, including 11 “Best in the as, select home football contests. VCR repair. Nation” awards. Keys also was instru- Over the last two years, Carey pro- Carey and his wife, Julia, are the mental in establishing the Flames duced several parents of three children – Michelle, Sports Network, which broadcast all football and basketball games on the Vanessa and Krystle. football and men’s basketball games. Big South Television Network, as well He established and produced the ath- as, post-season games for the 2005 Kevin Keys letic department’s first-ever corporate Big South Basketball Championship. Assistant Athletics Director– marketing program. External Operations Carey is a veteran in the television Keys quickly became active on the broadcast field and has served as the Kevin Keys is cur- regional and national scene as he producer and senior cameraman for rently in his second served as the president of the NAIA- the Liberty Broadcasting Network year as Liberty SIDA from 1982-84 and was honored since 1981. Highlights of Carey’s University Assistant with the 1984 Ike Pearson Award, sig- Liberty Broadcasting Network sport Athletics Director for nifying the top SID in the NAIA ranks. career include serving as the producer External Operations after rejoining the In 1983, Keys played a significant role of the first-ever ESPN televised on- staff in August 2005. in the creation of the Virginia Sports campus event (men’s basketball Keys, who brings a wealth of athlet- Information Directors Association, the against East Tennessee State on ic experience and expertise in the first organization of its kind in the January 10, 1991), producer of the area of external relations, oversees nation. In 2002, Keys received the first ever baseball and volleyball the Flames’ sports marketing and pro- VaSID Distinguished Service Award, home broadcasts and the addition of motional programs as his primary honoring individuals with over 20 an NCAA football package to the INSP function. He also oversees sports years of sports service in the Television Network in 1999. information, non-business aspects of Commonwealth of Virginia. He also The Who’s Who In Television the ticket office operations, the annual served as the information director for Broadcast award winner carries over golf tournament and Flames sports the Mason-Dixon Athletic Conference 28 years of freelance sport television broadcasts. He comes to Liberty after for three years. experience and has worked for such working for five years at a vice presi- Upon leaving Liberty in 1985, Keys networks as ABC, CBS, ESPN, TNT, dent at Morgantown Printing and moved to Morgantown, W.Va., and TBS, TNN, MSG, Fox Sports, Binding in Morgantown, W.Va. joined the West Virginia University Comcast, Jefferson-Pilot/Raycom, cov- During his first year, Keys more athletics department staff as the ering numerous collegiate events, as than doubled the sponsorship rev- sports publications director, a position well as, events for the NHL, NBA, PBA enues generated for the department he held for 15 years. While under his and the WPBA. and refocused the effort to brand the supervision, 72 publications were rec- Spotlighting Carey’s career sport department in all areas of public ognized by CoSIDA for excellence at coverage would include events such image. He also served on several uni- the regional and national levels, as the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the versity committees that concentrated including six which received “Best in Alonzo Stagg Bowl, the McDonald’s on public image such as the recently the Nation” distinction. All-American game, the 2001 Final released university style guide, brand- In his position, Keys administered Four NCAA Volleyball Championships, ing efforts, e-commerce and licensing. the production of all printed materials the Virginia State Golf Keys is currently serving as the uni- for the athletic department, totaling Championships, the 2003 NCAA versity's licensing coordinator in over 150 publications annually and Division III Baseball and Basketball cooperation with Licensing Resource worked as a core member of the Championships, as well as, collegiate Group, a new Liberty corporate part- Communications Group which han- conference championships such as ner. dled all external affairs aspects for the the ACC soccer championships and Keys is no stranger to Liberty or to BCS athletic program. During his the Southern Conference basketball the athletic department as the 27-year tenure at West Virginia, he co- championships. veteran of intercollegiate athletics authored a book chronicling the histo- Carey has been recognized by his started his career in 1973 as a statisti- ry of the Mountaineer football pro- peers as a four-time Telly Award win- cian for the men’s basketball program. gram. ner, including a Telly Award for his He was promoted to assistant sports The Beltsville, Md., native has offici-

www.LibertyFlames.com 21 Athletic Administration ated basketball and softball for more athletics program, as he received his designed to allow local area youth the than 25 years and worked at least bachelor’s of science in finance in opportunity to interact with NCAA one state playoff basketball game in 1988 and was a four-year member of Division I athletes in a safe, fun and West Virginia 11 years, including the the wrestling team. He finished his family-friendly atmosphere. high school championship in 2000. wrestling career with over 30 career Prior to her current position, Keys and his wife, Lori, a native of victories, including a 20-14 record his Mitchell served as an assistant in the Lynchburg, have two children, Josh, senior season. Good won the 1988 Flames Ticket Office for three years, 21, and Jamie, 20, both of whom cur- NCAA South Regional and qualified as she was involved with the day-to- rently attend Liberty University. for the NCAA Division II National day operations of the office, including Championships, where he finished game-day management and special Bob Good – Approved the event in ninth place. events. She also assisted with the pro- Director of Athletics Development Good also played a part in the motion of season ticket sales and the and Flames Club return of the wrestling program to Flames Club. Liberty University, as he served as the During the summer months of 2001, Bob Good is cur- chairman of the former Liberty Mitchell completed a three-month rently in his second Wrestling Foundation from 2002-05. internship with the Norfolk year as a member of Under his direction, the organization Nighthawk’s of the Arena 2 Football the Liberty University raised over $60,000 to help under- League in Norfolk Va., where she was Athletics Department, having joined write the return of wrestling to the responsible for the planning, develop- the staff as Director of Athletics University. ing and coordinating of on-field activi- Development and Flames Club in The native of Lynchburg is a 1983 ties and in-game promotions. She August 2005. graduate of Liberty Christian also assisted with the preparation of Good is responsible for the Academy and is married to the former game-day activities, ceremonies and fundraising efforts of the athletics Tracey Greene, also a 1988 graduate special events, as well as aiding in the department, and for cultivating rela- of Liberty University. The couple has organization’s marketing strategy. tionships with donors, alumni and the three children - Patrick (12), Sydney Mitchell is a 2002 graduate of community. Under his leadership, the (9) and Conner (7). Liberty, where she received her bach- Flames Club tripled membership in elor’s degree in sport management 2005, with 255 members contributing Heather Mitchell and was named the 2002 Sport $179,000. At the start of the 2006 Ticket Office Manager Management Student of the Year. football season, Flames Club member- While working on her undergradu- ship was on track for another record Heather Mitchell is ate degree, Mitchell was an active year. Good also oversees the new entering her fourth member of the Flames Ticket Office Student Flames Club, which had year as a full-time and has worked numerous events, approximately 400 members heading member of the athletic such as the Big South Basketball , into the 2006 football season. department and cur- Soccer and Volleyball Championships, Good brings a wealth of business rently serves as the Ticket Office the VHSL Basketball & Football experience to the Liberty University Manager, overseeing the sales and Tournaments, the 2001 Junior campus, having spent 15 years in var- promotions of tickets for all Liberty Olympics and the university’s hosting ious levels of leadership at University athletic events. of the Harlem Globetrotters. CitiFinancial, a leading Fortune 100 Under Mitchell’s guidance, season Heather is married to Sammy lending company. football tickets sales for 2006 were on Mitchell, Jr., and they reside in the He got his start with the organiza- track to triple the numbers from previ- Lynchburg area. tion in March 1990 as a branch man- ous year midway through August. The ager in Virginia Beach, Va. In February growth is in spite of a slight increase Todd Wetmore 1998, Good was promoted to an area in ticket prices from the previous year, Assistant Athletic Director For training director where he served as a which brought them in line with the Athletc Media Relations leadership trainer for 60 branches and rest of the Big South Conference, and 250 employees in five states while continued a trend of increased sales Todd Wetmore is based out of Wilmington, Del. since Mitchell has been at the helm. entering his seventh He was elevated to the position of During her first two year’s of full- year as head of the district manager in June 1999 and time service, Mitchell served as the Office of Athletic managed nine lending branches executive director of the Flames Club, Media Relations and his second year throughout Northern Georgia and the Liberty University’s athletic as Assistant Athletic Director for Southeastern Tennessee, while head- department boaster club organization. Athletic Media Relations a position he quartered in Atlanta. Good moved As Director of the Flames Club, was promoted to July 2005. closer to the area in May 2002 when Mitchell actively sought to increase Wetmore, who is in his 10th year he was assigned as a district manager the organization’s membership, with of full-time service within the athletic in Roanoke, Va. He served in this role the funds raised going towards athlet- department, started as an Assistant until joining the Liberty University ic scholarships. As part of her director Sports Information Director in 1998 athletics department in 2005. duties, Mitchell also oversaw the and was promoted to Sports Good is no stranger to Liberty or its Flames Kids Club, a program Information Director in December of

22 Liberty Flames Football Athletic Administration 1999. ation of the athletic department's first was named “Second Best in the In July 2005, the office underwent a web page. The online service which, Nation”. name change, going from Sports provided timely results, up-to-date Wetmore is a member of the Information to Athletic Media statistics and player and coach biogra- College Sports Information Director’s Relations to better clarity the office’s phical information for each of of America (CoSIDA) and the Virginia role within the athletic department, Liberty's athletic teams, gradually State Sports Information Directors and Wetmore received his latest pro- improved under his guidance. In (VaSID) and has served as the chair of motion. Originally, he joined the office February 2004, Wetmore finished a the Big South Conference Football as a student assistant in 1993 and one-year project to completely Sports Information Directors (2002-03) maintained that position for four redesign the site and helped launch and vice chair of the Big South years. LibertyFlames.com, the new official Conference Sports Information Wetmore’s current primary duties site of the athletic department. Directors (2002-03). He currently include the distribution of information In 2002, Wetmore’s Liberty serves the conference as the vice- for Liberty’s 18-sport athletics pro- University football media guide cover chair of the Big South Conference gram, as well as the athletic depart- was judged as “Best in the Nation” by Football Sports Information Directors. ment’s liaison with the media. CoSIDA, while his 2003 and 2002 foot- Wetmore received his bachelor's Wetmore serves as the editor of the ball game day programs were judged degree in sport management in 1998 school’s athletic publications and as “Second Best in the Nation” and from Liberty. The Killingworth, Conn., coordinates all media efforts for the “Third Best in the Nation” by his native resides in the Lynchburg area. football, wrestling and softball teams. peers. Wetmore has had a total of After joining the Sports Information four publications received recognition staff on a full-time basis in 1998, as he assisted also with the 1997 Wetmore was instrumental in the cre- Flames football game program, which Athletic Department Head Coaches and Administrators

Chris Casola Bill Gillespie Joe Pouliot Jeff Alder Jesse Castro Head Athletic Trainer Head Strength & Coaching Director of Athletics Facilities Men’s Soccer Coach Wrestling Coach Coach

Stefanie Copp Randy Dunton Carey Green Chris Johnson James Price Cheerleading Coach Men’s Basketball Coach Women’s Basketball Coach Men’s and Women’s Tennis Women’s Soccer Coach

Danny Rocco Matt Royer Jeff Thomas Brant Tolsma Paul Wetmore Football Coach Baseball Coach Golf Coach Track and Cross Country Softball Coach Coach

www.LibertyFlames.com 23 Athletic Excellence The Liberty University Athletics Department is to post a 2.93 GPA during the 2005-06 academic Award, an honor bestowed upon the squad by one of just two athletics departments in the his- year with nine different teams posting a 3.00 its fellow conference teams. tory of the Big South Conference to have team GPA or higher (baseball, men’s cross coun- claimed the title of five-time Big South Sasser try, women’s cross country, men’s tennis, •The men’s soccer team placed four players on Cup champions. Liberty has claimed the title five women’s tennis, women’s track and field, the VaSID all-state second-team squad as out of the last nine years, while Coastal Carolina women’s basketball, women’s soccer, volleyball). Jonathan Burklo, Adrian Bumbut, Kyle Cupid and picked up its eighth Sasser Cup championship Osie Telesford were all honored as some of the this past season. •Last year, 181 student-athletes (44 percent) best players in the Commonwealth of Virgina. The George F. "Buddy" Sasser Cup, formerly posted a 3.0 GPA or better in the classroom, with known as the Commissioner's Cup and named 65 student-athletes (16 percent) being named to •Senior men’s soccer player Daniel Darnell was for the retired Coastal Carolina Director of the school’s Dean’s List with a 3.5 GPA or higher. one of several student-athletes honored by the Athletics and the former commissioner of the Big Also, eight different student-athletes finished the Big South Conference as he was given the South Conference, is awarded to the Big South academic year with a perfect 4.0 cumulative George A. Christenberry Award for Academic member institution with the most successful ath- GPA. Excellence, an honor that is bestowed upon the letic year based on a point system. Liberty and single male and female athlete in their sport to Coastal Carolina have finished in the top two •164 student-athletes were named to the Big finish their careers with the highest cumulative spots in the Sasser Cup rankings for eight out of South Presidential Honor Roll, honoring the con- GPA. the last nine years. ference’s top student-athletes, both in the class- During the course of the 2005-06 season, the room and on the athletic field. •Men’s soccer player Osei Telesford was named Flames claimed conference titles in women’s the Premier Development League Defender of basketball, their unprecedented 10th straight, •Over the last eight athletic seasons, the Flames the Year, while also garnering a spot on the 2006 men’s cross country, men’s indoor track and have had 10 student-athletes named to a PDL All-League team. field, while the women’s soccer program became CoSIDA Academic All-America team, the highest the first Big South school to ever capture a third academic honor that an NCAA student-athlete •The women’s soccer team became the first conference title with its third league champi- can receive. women’s soccer program in Big South onship in the last seven years. Conference history to win three league champi- Since becoming an NCAA Division I program •During the 2004-05 academic year, Liberty had onships as Liberty grabbed its third title in the in 1988, the Liberty University Athletics four student-athletes named to various CoSIDA last seven years (also in 2000 and 2001). Department has raised the bar of success, striv- Academic All-America teams as Jay Cline ing to achieve a higher level of success each (Football), Kristin Colson (Volleyball) and Kristal •The women’s soccer team made its third year. Each one of Liberty’s 18 sports have con- Tharp (Women’s Basketball) were second-team appearance in a NCAA Tournament, tying the tributed to the overall success of the athletics honorees, while Danielle McNaney (Women’s program with volleyball and baseball for the sec- department. Track and Field) was named to the first-team ond most NCAA Tournament appearances by a squad. Liberty athletics team. Did you know: •Since joining the Big South Conference in •Danielle McNaney’s selection to the CoSIDA 1991, Liberty has won 69 conference champi- Academic All-America first-team track and field onships, averaging nearly five conference cham- team marked Liberty’s third-ever first-team pionships per year. Academic All-American as she joined Jarrod Everson’s selection in 1999 (football) and •The Flames claimed four of the league’s 17 Heather Sagan’s selection in 2001 (track and conference championships during the 2005-06 field). season, claiming conference titles in women’s basketball, men’s indoor track and field, men’s •Zach Terrell became the first football player in cross country and women’s soccer. school history to garner Big South Rookie of the Year and VaSID Rookie of the Year honors by •Liberty leads all Big South institutions with setting a new freshman school record for rushing 1,166 all-time all-conference selections, including in a season. 84 all-conference honorees during the 2005-06 Jason Horn and Zach Terrell were selected to the season. Don Hanson’s Weekly Football Gazette All- Southeast Region third team, honoring the best •In the classroom this past year, Liberty placed NCAA Division I-AA players in the southeast part 17 different athletes on various Big South all-aca- of the nation. demic teams, while two student-athletes, Evan Falat (Cross Country) and Arlene Zelinskas •The Flames placed seven members of the foot- (Outdoor Track and Field), garnered Scholar- ball team on the Big South all-conference Athlete of the Year honors. squads, the program’s third-largest group of all- conference selections. •Of the 45 Big South Coach of the Year honors On December 2, Liberty University named former awarded to Liberty coaches, Brant Tolsma, head Virginia associate head coach cross country and track and field coach, accounts for 28 of those honors. • the new head football coach, making Rocco the seventh person to hold the •Josh McDougal was named last year’s Big title in school history. South Howard Bagwell Male Student-Athlete of the Year, the conference’s top honor, making •Kendall Nichols finished off a stellar rookie sea- McDougal the school’s second-ever Howard son for the volleyball team as she was named to Bagwell award winner as Keith Butler won the the Big South All-Freshman squad. honor in 2000. •The Lady Flames volleyball team was the recipi- •Liberty’s 17 different athletic teams combined ent of the Big South’s Team Sportsmanship Josh McDougal

24 Liberty Flames Football Athletic Excellence •Women’s soccer players Rachel Bendzlowicz •Women’s basketball coach Carey Green was •Josh McDougal won the 5,000 meters at the and Tanya Payne were named to the VaSID first- named the VaSID State Coach of the Year, mark- prestigious Penn Relays on his way to earning team all-state squad, honoring the top Division I ing the second-straight season that he has been Big South Track and Field Athlete of the Year women’s soccer players in the Commonwealth of tabbed the best head coach in the honors. Virginia. Commonwealth of Virginia. Rachel Bendzlowicz became the third player in •Josh McDougal completed the season with his school history to be named Big South •Freshman Megan Frazee was named to the fourth All-American honor of the year and the Tournament MVP, joining the sister tandem of VaSID all-state second-team squad despite miss- sixth of his career in the 5,000 meters at the Nancy and Jenny Davis who led Liberty to its ing most of the second half of the season with NCAA National Outdoor Track and Field first two league titles in 2000 and 2001. an injury. Championships.

•The Lady Flames women’s soccer team was •Sophomore Roli-Ann Nikagbatse was named •Sophomore Parker McKoy earned Big South all- the recipient of the Big South’s Team the first-ever Big South Conference Women’s conference honors as he was Player of the Year Sportsmanship Award, an honor bestowed upon Basketball Defensive Player of the Year, while runner-up with a second-place finish at the Big the squad by its fellow conference teams. Carey Green was honored as the Big South South Men’s Golf Championship, marking the Coach of the Year for the third time. first Liberty player to make the all-conference •The men’s cross country team captured its first team since 2004 and just the 12th in school his- Big South title since the 1999 season and the •The women’s basketball team finished the year tory. seventh in the history of the school, making with the 14th-best team GPA in the nation as the Liberty’s men’s cross country team the most suc- collective group finished the year with a 3.338 •For the second time in the history of the pro- cessful team in the history of the conference. team GPA. gram, the men’s golf team earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Regionals as they also accom- •Josh McDougal was named Big South Runner •Liberty University named former Flames’ plished the feat in 2003. of the Year for the second-straight year, while he wrestling standout Jesse Castro the reinstated was joined by Clint Jackson, Jarvis Jelen, Evan program’s new head coach, bringing back a •Jessica Moore was named VaSID State Softball Falat and Drew Ponder on the all-conference four-time NCCAA national champion to direct the Player of the Year as the junior broke her own team. program after a 13-year hiatus. school record with 21 home runs, becoming the The men’s indoor track and field team captured fifth player in school history to garner the top •Senior Evan Falat was named the Big South its ninth-straight Big South Conference title, con- player in the Commonwealth of Virginia honor. Men’s Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year, tinuing its string of being the only team in the marking the second-straight year the runner was league to claim the title since the conference •Softball coach Paul Wetmore was named VaSID named the league’s top student-athlete. recognized the sport as a conference sport. State Coach of the Year after leading the team to a school record tying 41 victories, marking the •Head coach Brant Tolsma was named Big •Josh McDougal was named the Most fourth time in his career that he has won the South Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year, Outstanding Male Track Performer at the Big honor, which ties him atop the all-state coaching marking the fifth time in his career that the honor South Indoor Track Championships after claim- list. had been bestowed upon Tolsma. ing victories in the mile and the 3,000 meters. •The baseball program set a new school record •Josh McDougal took fourth place at the NCAA •Arlene Zelinskas was named the Most for Division I victories in a season with 39, mark- National Cross Country Championship, earning Outstanding Female Track Performer at the Big ing the second-straight year that the program the sophomore his second-straight All-American South Indoor Track Championship after claiming has eclipsed the 30-win plateau. cross country season. victoies in the 60 meters and in the pentathlon. •For the second-straight year, Phillip Laurent •The women’s cross country team placed three •Josh McDougal added two more All-American was named to the VaSID first-team all-state base- runners on the Big South all-conference team as honors to his storied Liberty career at the NCAA ball squad, while fellow teammates Michael Just Sarah Roberts, Danielle Jordan and Carol Indoor Track Championships by finishing fourth and Chad Miller were named to the all-state sec- Jefferson were all honored by the league, tying in the 5,000 meters and fifth in the 3,000 meters. ond team. for the largest group of all-conference members for Liberty since the 2000 season. •Women’s tennis player Jonita Randolph was •Pitcher Michael Solbach was drafted by the named to the VaSID all-state academic team, Arizona Diamondbacks in the 48th round of the •The Lady Flames women’s cross country team honoring the top student-athletes in the MLB Draft, marking the eighth-straight year that was the recipient of the Big South’s Team Commonwealth of Virginia. Liberty has had a baseball player selected in the Sportsmanship Award, an honor bestowed upon MLB Draft. the squad by its fellow conference teams. •Liberty University named former men’s tennis player Chris Johnson its new head men’s and •On January 23, former Senior Associate A.D. at •Men’s basketball player Larry Blair was named women’s tennis coach, making Johnson the South Carolina Jeff Barber was named Liberty’s to the Big South first-team all-conference squad, fourth head men’s coach and second head new Director of Athletics, becoming the 10th per- marking the third-straight year that Blair has women’s coach in the history of the program. son in the history of the department to garner the been named to the all-conference team. title. •Track and field sprinter Charlene Hibbert was •Larry Blair became just the second player in one of several selected student-athletes from •For just the fourth time in school history, two school history, along with Peter Aluma, to be around the country to be named to the NCAA student-athletes were recipients of the Mac named to the VaSID first-team all-state team, Leadership Conference Counsel. Rivera/Rock Royer Award, which was established honoring the top five Division I players in the to honor the top senior student-athlete at Liberty Commonwealth of Virginia. •Arlene Zelinskas was named the Women’s University, as women’s soccer player Sonia Outdoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the Roriguez and baseball player Phillip Thompson •The women’s basketball team captured its 10th- Year, while the junior was also named to the U.S. were last year’s joint award winners. straight Big South Conference title, setting a new Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches conference record for league championships by Association (USTFCCCA) Women’s All-Academic a single team. Track and Field Team.

www.LibertyFlames.com 25 All-American Honor Roll Football Gazette 1996 Jesse Riley, linebacker Football Gazette 1997 Stacy Nobles, Football Gazette 1997 Torrey Rush, defensive back Football Gazette 1997 Trey Sartin, offensive line Football Gazette 1997 Jerome Wicker, defensive line Football Gazette 1998 Stacy Nobles, running back Football Gazette Ulysses Moore, offensive line Football Gazette Torrey Rush, defensive back Football Gazette 1999 Stacy Nobles, running back Football Gazette Billy Seals, linebacker Football Gazette 2000 Biff Parson, Football Gazette 2001 Jay Kelley, placekicker Football Gazette Top row (L to R): Mitchell Clark, David Hertzler, Winford Hogans, Ed Landis Dre Barnes, running backs Football Gazette Bottom row (L to R): Billy Lord, Mark Mathis, Joe Seamster, Big South All-Conference John Sanders First Team 2002 Dre Barnes, running back All-Americans Churchmen's Aaron DeBerry, defensive line First Team Steve Kearns, Kendrick Howard, linebacker 1978 Kim Raynor, running back Churchmen's Andre Jerry, safety Churchmen's 1986 Mark Mathis, Jay Kelley, punter 1982 Mitchell Clark, running back Football Gazette 2003 Dre Barnes, running back NAIA 1989 , tight end Aaron DeBerry, defensive line 1982 John Sanders, linebacker Associated Press C.J. Moore, defensive back AFCA (Kodak) Donald Smith, cornerback Marlon Roman, long snapper 1983 Earl Rector, tight end Sports Network Thomas Smith, offensive line NAIA 1990 Keith Hatcher, OL 2004 Sean Boyle, offensive line 1985 , Associated Press Sam Gado, running back National Strength Coaches Association 1991 Pat Nelson, wide receiver Seth Reichart, defensive line Winfred Hogans, offensive line Associated Press Thomas Smith, offensive line Associated Press Little All-American 1997 Rodney Degrate, defensive line Nick Vaughn, linebacker Steve Clark, defensive back Football Gazette 2005 Noah Crouch, punter Associated Press Little All-American 1997 Jesse Riley, linebacker Jason Horn, defensive line Joe Seamster, defensive back Football Gazette Zach Terrell, running back Associated Press Little All-American 1998 Jesse Riley, linebacker 1986 Mark Mathis, cornerback Football Gazette Second Team AFCA (Kodak) 2003 Sean Boyle, offensive line 1987 Mickey Paige, linebacker Third Team Seth Reichart, defensive line Football Gazette 1988 Mickey Paige, linebacker Nick Vaughn, linebacker 1995 Andrew McFadden, return specialist Football Gazette 2004 Dre Barnes, running back Football Gazette 1995 David Long, linebacker Noah Crouch, punter Sports Network Football Gazette Markus Ferguson, offensive line 1998 Jesse Riley, linebacker 1997 Rodney Degrate, defensive line Erick Harris, defensive back Associated Press The Sports Network C.J. Moore, defensive back 2000 Jason Wells, defensive end 2005 Patrick Calvary, defensive back Football Gazette Honorable Mention Chris Luck, tight end 1981 Mike Forslund, quarterback Manny Rojas, linebacker Second Team NAIA Brandon Turner, wide receivers 1977 Scott Goetz, offensive line Greg Mosely, running back Churchmen's NAIA Kim Raynor, running back Associated Press Little All-American Academic Churchmen's 1982 John Sanders, linebacker 2002 Jay Cline, tight end 1978 Dave Hertzler, free safety NAIA 2003 Jay Cline, tight end Churchmen's 1984 , wide receiver 2004 Sam Gado, running back Ed Landis, Jr., nose guard Associated Press Little All-American 2005 Brock Farrel, quarterback Churchmen's 1985 Kelvin Edwards, wide receiver Rupert Wright, offensive line Associated Press Little All-American Big South Player of the Year Churchmen's 1988 Paul Johnson, quarterback Offensive Rod Gladfelter, Football Gazette 2005 Zack Terrell defensive back 1995 Sedrick Watkins, defensive back

26 Liberty Flames Football All-American Honor Roll Jay Kelley, placekicker First Team Rodney Degrate Daniel Thomas, wide receiver 1997 Courtney Freeman, wide receiver Trey Sartin, offensive line Independent Defensive Player of the Year Rodney Degrate, defensive line 1998 Jesse Riley, linebacker 1998 Jesse Riley, linebacker 2003 Dre Barnes, running back East Coast Athletic Conference All-Stars Thomas Smith, offensive line First Team 1991 Pat Nelson, wide receiver Second Team 1994 Daniel Whitehead, placekicker 1997 Ulysses Moore, offensive line 1995 Andrew McFadden, return specialist Ben Anderson, quarterback Stacy Nobles, running back Second Team Torrey Rush, defensive back 1997 Rodney Degrate, defensive line 1998 Jarrod Everson, defensive line Stacy Nobles, running back Virginia Sports Information Directors Ulysses Moore, offensive line (VaSID) All-State Torrey Rush, defensive back First Team 2003 Sean Boyle, offensive line 1983 Kelvin Edwards, wide receiver Jay Cline, tight end 1984 Kelvin Edwards, wide receiver Aaron DeBerry, defensive line Mitch Lucas, offensive line Fred Banks, wide receiver NCAA I-AA National Player of the Week Don Hansen's National Football Gazette - Bill Kagey, kicker 1996 Lawrence Worthington (Delaware Southeast Region Troy Rice, defensive line Second Team State) Joe Seamster, defensive back 1997 Jesse Riley (Delaware State) 2002 Dre Barnes, running back 1985 Kelvin Edwards, wide receiver Jamie Christian (Norfolk State) Kendrick Howard, linebacker 1986 Mark Mathis, defensive back 2000 Biff Parson (East Tennessee State) 2004 Seth Reichart, defensive line , defensive back 2001 Adrian Hall (Gardner-Webb) 1987 Mickey Paige, linebacker Third Team Jay Kelley (Wingate) Kenny Smith, punter Biff Parson (South Florida) 2003 Dre Barnes, running back 1988 Tom McCutcheon, center Daniel Thomas (Wingate) 2005 Jason Horn, defensive line Charles McCray, running back 2004 Erick Harris (Chattanooga) Zach Terrell, running back Richard Shelton, defensive back , Coach of the Year Flames in Postseason Play CoSIDA Academic All-Americans 1989 Eric Green, tight end First Team Blue-Gray Game Donald Smith, return specialist 1985 Kelvin Edwards, wide receiver 1982 Jeff Benson, quarterback 1991 Pat Nelson, wide receiver 1986 Wayne Haddix, defensive back Kelly Bush, fullback 1995 Andrew McFadden, return specialist Billy Lord, defensive back 1997 Courtney Freeman, wide receiver Senior Bowl 1998 Jarrod Everson, defensive line 1998 Jesse Riley, linebacker 1986 Wayne Haddix, defensive back 2002 Dre Barnes, running back 1989 Eric Green, tight end Second Team 2003 Thomas Smith, offensive line 1982 Mark DeMoss, placekicker Hula Bowl 1997 Jarrod Everson, defensive line Second Team 1989 Eric Green, tight end 2004 Jay Cline, tight end 2003 Dre Barnes 2005 Jason Horn, defensive line Martin Luther King All-American Classic NCAA I-AA All-Independent Zach Terrell, running back First Team 1989 Donald Smith, defensive back , head coach 1996 Damon Bomar, linebacker Rookie of the Year , assistant coach Rodney Degrate, defensive line 2005 Zach Terrell, running back 1997 Rodney Degrate, defensive line Courtney Freeman, wide receiver Roanoke Times All-State Team Jesse Riley, linebacker Trey Sartin, offensive line 1998 Stacy Nobles, running back Keith Hatcher Jesse Riley, linebacker Torrey Rush, defensive back 1999 Jarrod Everson, defensive line 2000 Ben Rogers, punter Second Team 1996 Ben Anderson, quarterback Courtney Freeman, wide receiver Jesse Riley, linebacker 1997 Jamie Christian, linebacker Torrey Rush, defensive back 1998 Jamie Christian, linebacker Ulysses Moore, offensive line 2000 Gavin Kralik, wide receiver Randall State, defensive back Jason Wells, defensive end 2001 Dre Barnes, running back Adrian Hall, punt return Kendrick Howard, linebacker

www.LibertyFlames.com 27 Flames in Pros Name, Position (Years at LU) Team (League) Years Gado, Sam/RB (2001-02-03-04) Anderson, Ben/QB (1994-95-96-97) Kansas City Chief's (NFL) 2005 (NFL) 1998 (NFL) 2005 Portland Forest Dragons (AFL) 1999 Goede, Chris/OL (1991-92-93-94) Banks, Fred/WR (1982-83-84) Texans (CFL) 1995 (NFL) 1985-86 (NFL) 1987-93 Green, Eric/TE (1985-86-87-88) (NFL) 1990-94 Barrie, Sebastian/DL (1990-91) Miami Dolphins (NFL) 1995 Green Bay Packers (NFL) 1992 Ravens (NFL) 1996-98 (NFL) 1993-95 (NFL) 1999-00 San Diego Chargers (NFL) 1995 (NFL) 1996 Haddix, Wayne/DB (1983-84-85-86) Arizona Rattlers (AFL) 2000-03 New York Giants (NFL) 1987-88 San Jose Sabercats (AFL) 2004-05 (NFL) 1990-91 (NFL) 1991-92 Basso, Phil/QB (1981-82-83-84) Cleveland Browns (NFL) 1993 (NFL) 1985 Haith, William/DB (1999-2000-01-02) Brown, Jeff/DB (1979-80-81-82) Manchester Wolves (AFL) 2005 Washington Federals (USFL) 1983-84 Harris, Erick/WR/DB (2001-02-03-04) Burns, Travis/DB (1998-99-2000-01) Amarillo Dusters (AFL) 2005 Quad City Steamwheelers (AFL) 2004-05 (NFL Europe) 2005

Carswell, Dwayne/TE (1991-92-93) Inverso, Glenn/QB (1977-78-79-80) (NFL) 1994-05 New York Jets (NFL) 1981 Chicago Bears (NFL) 1982 Clark, Steve/DB (1982-83-84-85) (NFL) 1985 Jennings, Butch/RB (1994) Donald Smith New York Giants (NFL) 1995 Degrate, Rodney/DL (1994-95-96-97) (CFL) 1993-94, 97-00 Portland Forest Dragons (AFL) 1999 Jones, Rennie/WR (1982-83-84-85) Toronto Argonauts (CFL) 1999 Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) 1985 Nivens, Roosevelt/OL (1991-92-93-94) (CFL) 1995 Edwards, Kelvin/WR (1982-83-84-85) Kagey, Bill/PK (1982-83-84-85) (NFL) 1996 (NFL) 1986 Dallas Cowboys (NFL) 1986 Dallas Cowboys (NFL) 1987-88 Paige, Mickey/LB (1985-86-87-88) Forslund, Mike/QB (1979-80-81-82) Kearnes, Steve/TE (1976-77-78-79) Washington Commandos (AFL) 1989-90 Washington Federals (USFL) 1983 British Columbia Lions (CFL) 1980-82 Parson, Biff/QB (1989-99-2000-01) Kelvin Kinard, Leroy/RB (1988-89-90) Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL) 2002 New York Jets (NFL) 1991-92 Edwards Rush, Torrey/DB (1996-97-98-99) Mathis, Mark/DB (1983-84-85-86) (NFL Europe) 20001 St. Louis Cardinals (NFL) 1987-88 Edmonton Eskimos (CFL) 1989-91 Sartin, Trey/OL (1995-96-97) British Columbia Lions (CFL) 1992 Indianapolis Colts (NFL) 1998-99

McConnell, Wes/DB (1989-90-91-92) Shelton, Richard/DB (1984-86-87-88) (CFL) 1993-94 Denver Broncos (NFL) 1989 (NFL) 1989-90 McFadden, Andrew/WR/RS (1995-96) (WLAF) 1991-92 St. Louis Rams (NFL) 1997 Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) 1992-93-94 Indianapolis Colts (NFL) 1998 Portland Forest Dragons (AFL) 1999-00 Smith, Donald/DB (1986-87-88-89) (NFL) 1990-91 McKnight, James/WR (1991-92-93) (CFL) 1992-94 Seattle Seahawks (NFL) 1994-98 Memphis Maddogs (CFL) 1995 Dallas Cowboys (NFL) 1999-00 Toronto Argonauts (CFL) 1996-00 Miami Dolphins (NFL) 2001-03 Washington, Desmond/DB (1997-98) Nelson, Pat/WR (1988-89-90-91) Florida Firecats (AFL) 2001-05 (AFL) 1992 New York Jets (NFL) 1992-93 Active Players listed in Bold

Nimako, George/RB (1991-92)

28 Liberty Flames Football Flames in Pros Eric Green Richard Shelton

Dwayne Carswell

George Nimako

Flames with Postseason Honors

Year Name, Team Honors 1990 Wayne Haddix, NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Eric Green NFL Rookie of the Year Pittsburgh Steelers Selected to the NFL All-Rookie Team by: NFL Players Association, USA Today, United Press International (UPI), Pro Football Writers Association, Pro Football Weekly, Football Digest, Football News, The National

1994 Eric Green NFL Pro Bowl Pittsburgh Steelers

1997 Captain of the Special Teams Denver Broncos First Flame to Play in a First Flame to Win a Super Bowl

1998 Dwayne Carswell Captain of the Special Teams Denver Broncos First Flame to Play in two Super Bowls First Flame to Win two Super Bowls Fred Banks

www.LibertyFlames.com 29 Flames in Pros Flames in the Draft/Free Agent Year Player Round/Free Agent Team 1980 Steve Kearnes 4th Round British Columbia (CFL) 1981 Glenn Inverso Free Agent New York Jets (NFL) 1983 Jeff Brown 18th Round Washington Federals (USFL) Mike Forslund 21st Round Washington Federals (USFL) 1985 Fred Banks 8th Round Cleveland Browns (NFL) Phil Basso Free Agent Indianapolis Colts (NFL) 1986 Kelvin Edwards 4th Round New Orleans Saints (NFL) Steve Clark Free Agent Bufffalo Bills (NFL) Jeff Brown Rennie Jones Free Agent Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) 1987 Wayne Haddix Free Agent New York Giants (NFL) Bill Kagey Free Agent Dallas Cowboys (NFL) 1989 Mickey Paige Free Agent Washington Commandos (AFL) Richard Shelton 10th Round Denver Broncos (NFL) 1990 Eric Green 1st Round Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) Donald Smith 10th Round Minnesota Vikings (NFL) 1991 Leroy Kinard Free Agent New York Jets (NFL) 1992 Sebastian Barrie Free Agent Green Bay Packers (NFL) Wes McConnell Free Agent Shreveport Pirates (CFL) Pat Nelson Free Agent Orlando Predators (AFL) 1993 George Nimako 4th Round Toronto Argonauts (CFL) Glenn Inverso 1994 Dwayne Carswell Free Agent Denver Broncos (NFL) James McKnight Free Agent Seattle Seahawks (NFL) 1995 Roosevelt Nivens Free Agent Baltimore Stallions (CFL) Chris Goede Free Agent (CFL) Butch Jennings Free Agent New York Giants (NFL) 1997 Andrew McFadden Free Agent St. Louis Rams (NFL) 1998 Ben Anderson Free Agent New York Giants (NFL) 1998 Andrew McFadden Free Agent Indianapolis Colts (NFL) 1998 Trey Sartin Free Agent Indianapolis Colts (NFL) 1999 Ben Anderson Free Agent Portland Forest Dragons (AFL) 1999 Andrew McFadden Free Agent Portland Forest Dragons (AFL) 1999 Rodney Degreate Free Agent Portland Forest Dragons (AFL) Toronto Argonauts (CFL) Steve Kearns 2001 Torrey Rush Free Agent Barcelona Dragons (NLF Europe) 2002 Biff Parson Free Agent Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL) 2004 Sam Gado Free Agent Kansas City Chiefs (NFL)

Andrew McFadden

James McKnight Wayne Haddix Biff Parson

30 Liberty Flames Football