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Home , Al Worthington Stadium, Bob Leahy, Columbia Lions, Dwayne Carswell, Kelvin Edwards, Liberty Flames football

Equipment Staff

Football Equipment Department Facts Mike Morris Head Equipment Manager 1,560-square foot equipment room in the Williams Football Operations Center Equipment Island Player cubbies to pick up laundered gear Three 50-pound washers Three 100-pound dryers 24-foot truck with Flames and Nike logo which takes equipment to each road game Gear Boss by Wenger Storage System which is portable for travel Nine Student Mangers Extra equipment trunks for games and practice 500 pounds of laundry per day in season

Chris Brown Assistant Equipment Manager

LibertyFlames.com 19

Williams Stadium opened its doors on Oct. 21, 1989, when the Flames Prior to the start of the 2006 season, Liberty unveiled its newest addi- hosted the Tigers of Towson State. After giving up a 42-yard field goal early tion to the Williams Stadium complex as the Williams Football Operation in the first quarter, Liberty scored 31-unanswered points to thrill the then Center was completed in the north end of the stadium. The state-of-the-art record-setting Homecoming crowd of 12,750 fans with a 37-19 victory. 48,000-square foot football-only facility, brought all of Liberty football The 2006 season was one for the record books, as the Flames aver- under one roof for the first time in the history of the program. aged a school-record 11,128 fans during the season, ranking No. 13 in Construction for the Football Operations Center was made possible the nation as Williams Stadium was filled 92.7 percent of its capacity. On because of a generous donation of $4.5 million dollars by the Art Williams Oct. 14, 2006, a Liberty and record-setting 15,631 Foundation. The Art Williams Foundation is no stranger to those familiar fans filed into the on-campus facility for the Homecoming game against with the Flames football program. Liberty’s football stadium underwent a William & Mary. A season-record 66,765 fans attended the six home name change during the 1994 season. The now 18-year-old facility dates during the course of the year. That is nearly 11,000 more fans than became “Williams Stadium” in honor of A.L. Williams, a major contributor the previous record of 55,990, set in 1990, a year the Flames played to the University. seven home games. In 1998, the field received a face lift with the old sand-filled artificial On Nov. 4, 2006, the Flames defeated Western Carolina, 21-0 at surface being pulled up and a new stadium turf being laid down. An addi- Williams Stadium. The contest marked a historic day in school annals, as tional facelift took place during the summer of 2006 when the playing sur- the 8,286 fans in attendance at the afternoon game pushed the Flames face was redone and FieldTurf was installed. FieldTurf is the latest synthe- over the 1,000,000 mark in home attendance since the inception of the sized playing surface and it is appearing all over the country, including program in 1973. Ford Field in Detroit, where XL was played in 2006. Entering the 2007 season, the Flames have won nearly two-thirds of Seating capacity at Williams Stadium is 12,000 with seating on the their home games, posting a 60-37 record at Williams Stadium. Liberty west side of the field accommodates 6,336 fans, and the east stands has recorded 15 seasons with a winning home record since the stadium seating 5,664. opened, including a perfect 5-0 record in 1992. A modern press box rests above the west stands and comfortably seats The stadium is located on Liberty’s main campus, near the site of the 25 working members of the media. In the summer of 1990, Liberty added old football practice fields. The stadium seats 12,000, with the capabili- lights to give the Flames the option of playing night games and provide a ties for future expansion. For the 2007, luxury season suites will be added facility for local high schools to use for evening contests. During the 1995 to the concourse on the press box side. The suites are a climate-con- season, a new concession area was constructed at the bottom of the trolled environment which includes a second-story, press box to aid in game-day concession sales. open-air observation deck with tent covering, and Haken/Corley and Associates were the architects who designed the sta- each unit seats up to 48 people. dium. The stadium contractor was McDevitt & Street of Raleigh, N.C. When the stadium was constructed, a field McDevitt & Street built Atlanta’s Fulton County Stadium, the Diamond house, located at the south end of the stadi- ( facility) located in Richmond, Va., the Dean E. Smith Center in um, was built, providing the Chapel Hill, N.C., and the Durham Bulls’ minor league baseball park. In football program with an on-cam- 1990, McDevitt & Street also completed the on Liberty’s pus facility, including a spacious main campus for use by the and volleyball teams. team locker room, an equipment room and a training facility.

Stadium Quick Facts Williams Stadium Single Game Attendance Records Name:: Williams Stadium Siitte:: On the main campus near the main entrance and Attendance Date W-L Result adjacent to the Hancock Athletic Center. 15,631 10/14/06 L LU 13, William & Mary 14 Capaciitty:: 12,000 12,623 10/3/98 W OT LU 28, Charleston Southern 21 Consttructtiion:: Steel and Concrete 12,431 10/11/97 L OT LU 27, Hampton 33 Conttracttor:: McDevitt & Street of Raleigh, N.C. 12,431 10/11/97 L OT LU 27, Hampton 33 Archiittectt:: Haken/Corley and Associates of Raleigh, N.C. 12,316 10/8/94 L LU 7, Delaware State 22 Ground Breakiing Ceremony:: May 8, 1989 12,273 10/4/03 W LU 31, VMI 28 Datte off Compllettiion:: October 1989 12,056 10/21/06 L LU 24, Gardner-Webb 27 Faciilliittiies:: A field house, complete with a locker room, equipment room and trainingtraining room,room, isis locatedlocated atat thethe northnorth endend ofof thethe stadium.stadium. AA presspress boxbox isis 12,050 10/27/90 W LU 37, Samford 10 locatedlocated aboveabove thethe westwest bleachers.bleachers. VisitingVisiting teamsteams areare providedprovided aa teamteam 12,021 10/2/99 W LU 38, Johnson C. Smith 2 room in the stadium’s south end zone. 12,016 9/3/94 W LU 52, Concord 0 Pllayiing Surfface:: FieldTurf - The end zones are blue with a white line bordering thethe fieldfield andand thethe school’sschool’s logologo isis displayeddisplayed inin colorcolor inin thethe middlemiddle ofof thethe 12,000 10/2/93 L LU 30, North Carolina A&T 38 field.field.

20 2007 Williams Football Operations Center

Opened prior to the 2006 season, this 48,000-square foot building is a state-of-the-art facility that brings all operations for the football team under one roof for the first time in the history of the program. The bottom floor houses specially-designed weight training equipment in a spacious weight and conditioning area, while the second floor (at ground level) includes the team’s locker room, academic lab, equipment room and a cutting-edge athletic training facility. The top floor houses both coaching staff and administrative offices, numerous video and conference rooms and a uniquely-designed viewing room which overlooks the North end zone at Williams Stadium, where members of the Flames Club can enjoy several pre-game festivities. Donor Room Overlooking Williams Stadium Construction for the Williams Football Operations Center was made possible due to a generous donation of $4.5 million dollars by the Art Williams Foundation. The Art Williams Foundation is no stranger to those familiar with the Flames football program, as the football stadium is named in honor of Arthur L. and Angela Williams, major contributors to Liberty University. The football stadium was given the name Williams Stadium, which it still bares today. The Williams Football Operations Center is just one of several facets of the redesign of the program and is helping to usher in a New Era of Liberty Football. Academic Lab

Weight Room Training Room

LibertyFlames.com 21 Flames

Hours Before Kickoff Fans flood Liberty Mountain and University Boulevard to partake in the tailgating tradition

Two Hours To Kickoff 25 Minutes To Kickoff The Flames Club offers premium pre-game dining in the Donor Room The Spirit of the Mountain Marching Band parades down University of the Williams Football Operations Center prior to stadium Boulevard into Williams Stadium from the Fine Arts Hall opening to general public

22 2007 Liberty Flames Football GameGame DayDay

10 Minutes To Kickoff Five Minutes To Kickoff The Spirit of the Mountain Marching Band performs the National Anthem Pre-game festivities include the game ball being delivered via the sky from a parachutist

Three Minutes To Kickoff Game Time The Flames emerge from their locker room, while The Spirit of Fans pack into Williams Stadium to create an the Mountain electrifies the crowd with a rousing version of incredible experience “2001: A Space Odessy” followed by “Fan the Flames”

LibertyFlames.com 23 Athletic Facilities

Williams Stadium

Wrestling Complex

Tolsma Indoor Track Center

Inside the Vines Center

Vines Center

24 2007 Liberty Flames Football When looking at the success of an athletics program, one aspect which needs to be considered is the quality of its facilities. Student-athletes involved in Liberty University’s athletics program have the opportunity to showcase their talents in a number of fine athletic facilities. Like the pro- gram itself, these on-campus facilities have improved tremendously since the program’s inception in 1973. The Hancock Athletic Center, dedicated on Feb. 12, 1985, was donated by A.L. Williams and his wife, Angela, in honor of her parents, Sidney Lanier and Willemae Gates Hancock. Offices housed in the Hancock Center include the administrative offices for athletics, the athletic media relations depart- ment, offices for the track, cross country and men’s soccer, wrestling and tennis coaching staffs. The Hancock Athletic Center also includes a spa- cious 8,500-square-foot weight room, which is utilized by the entire athletic department. The weight room is furnished with the most modern equipment available for developing speed, strength and endurance. The spacious two-tiered facili- Hancock Weight Room ty has a free weight area that contains over 10 tons of weights. High-tech machines crafted by the industry’s top manufacturers, as well as other mod- ern strength and conditioning apparatuses, are available to Liberty’s stu- dent-athletes. Williams Stadium, also named in honor of A.L. Williams, is located near the entrance of the main campus and has been the home of the football program since 1989. The football stadium seats 12,000 with expansion capabilities up to 36,000. During the summer of 2006, a 48,000-square-foot facility was completed in the north end zone of the stadium, as the Williams Football Operations Center became the football program’s new home off the field. The new, state-of-the-art facility gives Liberty one of the nicest FCS 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 cen- terpiece of the facility is a 3,000-square foot room overlooking Williams Stadium, where Flames Club members can enjoy pre-game meals. A final facility upgrade to Williams Stadium was completed just prior to the kickoff of the 2006 season as FieldTurf was installed. The Vines Convocation Center, home to all men’s and women’s basketball games and volleyball matches, is an 8,500-seat facility which was complet- ed in 1990. In 1998, the Vines Center hosted the 46th-best women’s bas- ketball home attendance in the nation. Basketball, volleyball and a number of other indoor activities can take place in the versatile Schilling Center. The men's and women's basketball teams held their home games in what was then known as Liberty Gym in this facility from 1979 to 1990. The Schilling Center has two full-court areas Williams Football Operations Center (Cont. on page 26)

Hancock Athletic Center East Campus Volleyball Complex

LibertyFlames.com 25 which are also utilized for class instruction, intramural events and special activities. In 2005, the facility was upgraded to give Liberty’s basketball pro- grams two new practice courts. Wrestling and volleyball each received new facilities during the 2006-07 school year. The reinstated wrestling program turned the old football field house in the south end zone of Williams Stadium into a state-of-the-art wrestling room. Volleyball moved its office into a new facility on Campus East that includes its very own practice gym. Home baseball games are played at the beautiful Worthington Stadium. Recognized by Sportsturf Magazine as the best field in the nation in 1998, the facility was named in honor of , who began the Flames’ baseball program in 1974. He also served as the Liberty athletics director from 1984-89. Liberty Softball Field The Crowder-Muckel Fieldhouse is located adjacent to Worthington Stadium. The clubhouse, which is one of the finest baseball facilities in the country, includes locker rooms for both the Flames and visiting teams, a team room, weight room, training room, umpires’ locker room, public rest- rooms for fans, sky box seating and full-length indoor batting cages. The Matthes-Hopkins Track Complex is the home of the Flames’ successful track program. The track, which features a polyurethane surface, is named after former track coaches Jake Matthes and Ron Hopkins. The same facility holds the Liberty Soccer Field, where both the men’s and women’s soccer teams play. In 1996, lights were added so games could be played at night. Liberty’s tennis teams have been significantly enhanced by the recent addi- tion of three new tennis courts at the Esbenshade-Hershey Tennis Center, bringing the total numby has received numerous upgrades, including a new backstop and an enclosed hitting circuit with two new batting cages. Another recent athletic facility addition made available to Liberty’s student- Esbenshade-Hershey Tennis Center athletes is the Tolsma Indoor Track Center, located in the heart of Liberty’s Campus North building. The indoor center is one of just three indoor track facilities in the state of and features a flat 200-meter oval with a Mondo surface. The track has a wide radius, a four-lane oval and an eight- lane straightaway. Also located in the complex are two long/triple jump run- ways, a pole vault runway and a high jump apron. The purchase of a FinishLynx timing system has greatly increased the abili- ty to host high-level high school and NCAA meets at the facility as well as at the university’s outdoor track complex.

Al Worthington Stadium

Matthes-Hopkins Track Complex

26 2007 Liberty Flames Football LIBERTY FLAMES

Athletic Administration

Dr. Jerry Falwell the American electorate has been identified by media Dr. Ronald Godwin Liberty University Founder and polls as the "Religious Right". Most recent major media Executive Vice President/ Former Chancellor (1933-2007) surveys have acknowledged these "faith and values" vot- Chief Operating Officer ers re-elected George W. Bush in November 2004. At the age of 22, having just Though perhaps better known outside Lynchburg for Dr. Ronald Godwin serves as graduated from college in June political activism, Jerry Falwell's personal schedule con- Executive Vice President and of 1956, Jerry Falwell returned to firmed his passion for being a pastor and a Christian edu- Chief Operating Officer for Liberty his hometown of Lynchburg, Va., cator. He often stated his heartbeat was for training young University. However, for a total of and started Thomas Road people for every walk of life. more than 15 years, Dr. Godwin Baptist Church with 35 mem- Falwell, who went home to be with the Lord at the age has worked directly for the bers. The offering that first of 73 on May 15, 2007, was married to Macel for 49 Chancellor of Liberty University Sunday totaled only $135. years and they have three grown children and eight grand- via many of Liberty’s affiliated ministries. Falwell often said about the first collection, “We thought children. During a long administrative career, he has held a vari- we had conquered the world”. Today, Thomas Road Church ety of leadership positions including two presidencies of has 24,000 members and the total annual revenues of all Jerry Falwell, Jr. private Christian colleges, Executive Vice President of the the Jerry Falwell ministries total over $200 million. Chancellor/President Washington Times, Executive Vice President of the Moral Within weeks of founding his new church in 1956, Majority, President of Jerry Falwell Ministries, President of Falwell began the Old-Time Gospel Hour, a daily local Jerry Falwell, Jr. was born in Liberty Broadcast Network, President of Liberty University radio ministry and a weekly local television ministry. Lynchburg, Va. on Father’s Day, Foundation and more recently, Dean of the Helms School Nearly five decades later, this Old-Time Gospel Hour is June 17, 1962. He attended of Government and Senior Administrator of Residential now seen and heard in every American home and on Lynchburg Christian Academy Recruiting. every continent except Antarctica. Through the years, over and Liberty University, graduating Godwin received his bachelor of arts from Bob Jones, three million persons have communicated to the Falwell with a bachelor of arts in reli- his masters of science from Old Dominion, and his Ph.D. ministries they received Christ as Lord and Savior as a gious studies in 1984. in Post-Secondary Planning and Management from Florida result of this radio and television ministry. He obtained his Juris Doctor State. In 1967, Falwell implemented his vision to build a degree from the Virginia School of Law in 1987. Falwell, Jr. Godwin and his wife, Carol Stanley Godwin, are mem- Christian educational system for evangelical youth. He is licensed to practice in all Virginia state courts, U.S. bers of Thomas Road Baptist Church and both serve on began with the creation of Lynchburg Christian Academy, a District Courts for the Western and Eastern Districts of the board of the Liberty Godparent Home. They currently Christ-centered, academically-excellent, fully-accredited Virginia, United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth reside in Forest with Godwin’s 97 year old father, Jacob M. Christian day school, providing kindergarten, elementary Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. Godwin. and high school. Falwell, Jr. has engaged in the private practice of law in In 1971, Liberty University was founded. Today, over Lynchburg since 1987 and has served as the General 27,000 students from 50 states and 80 nations attend Counsel of Liberty University, Thomas Road Baptist Church, Jeff Barber this accredited, liberal arts Christian university. Falwell’s Liberty Broadcasting Network, and Jerry Falwell Ministries Director of Athletics dream has become a reality. A pre-school child can now since 1988. enter the school system at age three, and 20 or more Falwell, Jr., and his father, Dr. Jerry Falwell, worked Jeff Barber was named the years later, leave the same campus with a Ph.D., without together closely since 1988 in the management and over- Director of Athletics at Liberty ever sitting in a classroom where the teacher was not a sight of the University and all the Falwell ministries. In University on Jan. 23, 2006, committed follower of Jesus Christ. recent years, he has assumed more and more of the becoming the 10th Director of Falwell was also publisher of the National Liberty responsibility for the day-to-day management of the organ- Athletics in the history of the Journal, a monthly newspaper which is read by over ization from his father who, along with the Liberty University. 200,000 pastors and Christian workers, and the Falwell University Board of Trustees, named him Vice-Chancellor of The University has charged Confidential, a weekly e-mail newsletter to over 500,000 the University in 2003. He has served on Liberty’s Board Barber with the future leadership pastors and Christian activists. of Trustees since 2000. of the athletics department and the building of a strong In June 1979, Falwell organized the Moral Majority, a Falwell, Jr. has also played a key role in the develop- financial basis for the department which will guide Liberty conservative political lobbying movement which the press ment of the real estate in the vicinity of the University University athletics into the ranks of the elite NCAA soon dubbed the "Religious Right." During the first two through the recruitment of many national retail and Division I athletic programs in the nation. years of its existence, the Moral Majority attracted over restaurant chains to the area. These developments have Barber has wasted little time making an impact at 100,000 pastors, priests and rabbis and nearly seven mil- greatly enriched the lifestyle of the University community. Liberty, as in less than two years, he has been instrumen- lion religious conservatives who mobilized as a pro-life, Falwell, Jr. is a member of the Board of Directors and tal in guiding Liberty on a path to the next level of colle- pro-family, pro-Israel, and pro-strong national defense lob- the Executive Committee of the Lynchburg Regional giate athletics. bying organization. Chamber of Commerce and was named as the 2006 He has spearheaded athletics facility improvement proj- The Moral Majority chose California Governor Ronald Business Person of the Year for western Virginia by the ects in nearly every athletics venue, highlighted by Reagan as "their candidate" for President in 1980, regis- Blue Ridge Business Journal. changes to Williams Stadium. During the summer of tered millions of new voters, and set about to inform and He married Becki Tilley of Chapel Hill, N.C., in 1987. 2006, the football program’s on-campus playing facility activate a sleeping giant - 80 million Americans commit- They have three children: Jerry Falwell, III (Trey), born received the latest in playing surfaces as FieldTurf was ted to faith, family, and Judeo-Christian values. 1989, Charles Wesley, born 1993, and Caroline Grace, installed, while numerous other smaller projects were initi- With the impetus of the newly organized Moral Majority, born 2000, and have lived on a farm in Bedford County, ated to aesthetically improve the appearance of the facili- millions of people of faith voted for the first time in 1980 Va., since 1987. ty. and helped elect Ronald Reagan and many conservative However, Barber’s chief facility accomplishment since congressmen and senators. Since 1979, about 30% of joining the Flames in 2005 was overseeing the completion

LibertyFlames.com 27 LIBERTY FLAMES

Athletic Administration of the Williams Football Operations Center. The new Columbia, S.C. (1985-86) and Director of Operations for He was responsible for Liberty’s marketing efforts from 48,000-square foot state-of-the-art home base for the the Expos Spring Training Camp in West Palm 1997-2002, which paid great dividends for the athletic football program is one of the nicest FCS (formerly I-AA) Beach, Fla. (1986-87). department. Because of his efforts, football home average football-only facilities in the nation. After graduating from East Carolina, Barber served as a attendance reached an all-time high, averaging over In addition to Barber’s athletic facility achievements, health and physical education teacher in Columbia, S.C. 10,000 fans in 1998, which ranked in the Top-35 of NCAA the new Director of Athletics has spurred a dramatic for four years (1981-85), while coaching football and bas- Division I-AA. increase in Flames Club memberships and season ticket ketball. Overall basketball attendance led the conference every sales for football and basketball. Barber graduated cum laude at East Carolina in 1981 year and the 1997 home attendance was ranked in the Membership collections for the Flames Club, the with a bachelor of science degree in health, physical edu- Top-100 of the country. During the 2000 football season, Athletics Department’s booster club organization, reached cation and recreation. In 1997, he continued his educa- Guridy was instrumental in providing a family fun atmos- an all-time new high during the 2006-07 campaign as tion with a degree from the Sports Management Institute, phere at Williams Stadium called “Liberty Land”. Liberty surpassed the $200,000 mark for the first time in graduating as class spokesman. Also during his tenure at Liberty, Guridy has been the the organization’s history. 2006 season ticket sales for Barber, a native of Greenville, N.C., is married to the marketing and tournament director for the Big South football were four times as high as the previous year, put- former Donna Dacus and the couple has three children – Basketball Tournament (1995-98), the operations director ting Liberty on track to sell over 1,000 football season Katie (12), Lindsay (10) and Jay (9). for the Virginia High School League State Basketball tickets in 2007. Tournament for five years and has also worked with the Barber brought a wealth of experience in the areas of Tour DuPont, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference athletic fundraising and administration to Liberty Mickey Guridy Baseball Tournament. University, including 25 years in the athletic industry. Associate Athletics Director – A native of Mechanicsville, Va., Guridy completed his Barber came to Liberty after spending 11 years at Internal Operations bachelor’s degree in sport management in 1993 from South Carolina, including his last three years as Senior Liberty and completed his master's degree in business Associate Athletic Director for Development/Gamecock A veteran of the athletics administration at Averrett College in Sept. 2000. Club Executive Director. department, Mickey Guridy is Guridy, and his wife Erin have two sons, Sam and Abe, Barber served on the senior management team at entering his 15th year of service and reside in the Lynchburg area. South Carolina for nine years, helping raise more than at Liberty and currently serves as $14 million annually, while working closely with legendary the Associate Athletics Director football coaches Lou Holtz and Steve Spurrier for Internal Operations, a posi- Kristie Beitz Barber supervised the solicitation and receipt of over tion he was promoted to on July Associate Athletics Director - $85 million during his tenure at South Carolina, setting 1, 2006. He served as the Interim Director of Athletics Academic Affairs for Athletics records each year in annual gifts to the Gamecock Club, from Nov. 2005 to Feb. 2006. which was at 16,500 members when he finished. He was As the Athletics Department’s Internal Operations Kristie Beitz enters her second also responsible for all major gifts to the Gamecock Club Director, Guridy oversees the day-to-day business opera- year as a part of the Liberty which exceeded $15,000 annually and developed that tions of the athletics department in terms of budgets and Athletics Department senior staff level of giving from 21 members to 137 at his time of human resources. He oversees event management and management team after being departure. works closely with the Director of Athletic Facilities to named Associate Athletics Barber joined the athletics department at South ensure facilities are maintained and upgraded. He is also Director - Academic Affairs for Carolina in 1996 as an Assistant Athletic Director for in charge of special projects for the athletics department. Athletics in July of 2006. Development and was promoted to Associate Athletic Prior to his current position, Guridy served as the In her role, Beitz directs the Academic Affairs for the Director/Gamecock Club Executive Director in 1999. Assistant Athletic Director for Business Operations from Athletics Department, which oversees each student-ath- Prior to his days at South Carolina, Barber served five July of 2005 to Nov. of 2005. In Nov. of 2005, Guridy was letes’ academic progress, including academic advising and years at Furman in Greenville, S.C., starting as Executive named the Interim Director of Athletics and served in the tutoring, while serving as the liaison between the student- Director of the Paladin Club in 1991, before being pro- capacity for four months. athlete and the University’s academic community. moted to Senior Associate Athletic Director for External During his tenure at Liberty, he has also served three Beitz and her team of academic coordinators work Affairs in 1994. years as Assistant Athletic Director for Football Operations closely with each athletic program in an effort to assure While at Furman, Barber was responsible for the collec- (2002-04), five years as Assistant Athletic Director for every student-athlete is given the opportunity to earn a tion of $14 million in revenue from annual giving, capital Budget and Marketing (1997-2001) and four years as the degree and secure a meaningful career after graduation. gifts and endowed gifts, while guiding the Paladin Club to ticket office manager and executive director of the Flames During her first year at the University, Beitz was instru- gifts totaling $3.75 million and set records for five-con- Club (1993-96). mental in guiding the academic efforts of Liberty’s athlet- secutive years. He was also the chairman of the Furman While working with the football program as the Director ics programs. Over 35 percent of Liberty’s student-athletes Pro-Am Golf Endowment Tournament, which totaled of Operations, Guridy was responsible for the football achieved a 3.0 or higher GPA, earning a distinction on the receipts of $6.5 million. budget, scheduling, team travel and training, camp organi- Big South Presidential Honor Roll. Barber got his start in collegiate athletic administration zation, while also working closely with the athletic depart- Liberty also had 12 out of 18 squads post a 3.0 or at his alma mater as the Assistant Director of East ment's marketing department to further the promotion of better team GPA, with the women’s basketball posting a Carolina’s Pirate Club in 1987. While serving four years the Flames' football team. 3.508 team GPA, which was fifth nationally as ranked by with the Pirates, Barber participated in the receipt of As the Director of Budget, he monitored the budgetary the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. annual giving of $4 million to the Pirate Club, while organ- dealings and expenditures for each sport and oversaw the Six different student-athletes were named to various izing and managing Pirate Club actions and Pirate Pro-Am day-to-day business operations of the athletics depart- ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-District teams fundraisers. ment. As the marketing director, Guridy was responsible for with Arlene Zelinskas earning the top honor as the track Before joining the staff at East Carolina, Barber served marketing the 17-sport athletic department by gaining and field standout became the 11th student-athlete in three years in major and minor league baseball as he was advertising, corporate sponsorships and exposing Liberty athletics department history to be named a ESPN The the Assistant General Manager of the Columbia Mets in Athletics to the public. Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-American.

28 2007 Liberty Flames Football LIBERTY FLAMES

Athletic Administration

Beitz came to Liberty after serving three years as a Bruce Carey Kevin Keys member of the Office of Academic Affairs for Athletics at Assistant Athletic Director for Assistant Athletics Director – Virginia where she was a study skills specialist and aca- Television Media External Operations demic coordinator. As a member of the Cavaliers’ athletics department, Beitz assisted the student-athletes with time Bruce Carey is entering his fifth Kevin Keys is currently in his management, study skills and organizational techniques, year as a member of the athlet- third year as Liberty University while also serving as an academic advisor and in the ics department and serves the Assistant Athletics Director for areas of recruiting. staff as Assistant Athletic Director External Operations after rejoin- Prior to her days at Virginia, Beitz was a special educa- for Television Media. His day-to- ing the staff in August 2005. tion teacher and coordinator at Glenvar High School in day athletic responsibilities are Keys, who brings a wealth of Salem, Va. for six years. While at Glenvar, Beitz taught to handle all aspects of further- athletic experience and expertise classes in earth science, biology and English. ing the department’s television coverage on a local, in the area of external relations, oversees the Flames’ Beitz received her bachelor’s degree in social sciences national and world wide level and to serve as a liaison sports marketing and promotional programs as his pri- from Radford as she attended the Big South institution on between the university and other media outlets in the area mary function. He also oversees sports information, non- a field hockey scholarship and served as team captain her of television. business aspects of the ticket office operations, the annu- senior year. Since joining the athletic staff, Carey has been instru- al golf tournament and Flames sports broadcasts. He The native of Richmond, Va., later continued her educa- mental in dramatically expanding the department’s televi- came to Liberty after working for five years as a vice presi- tional pursuits, earning her master’s degree in special sion coverage, including the oversight of the broadcast of dent at Morgantown Printing and Binding in Morgantown, education from Radford and an education specialist each home football, volleyball, women’s basketball and W.Va. degree in administration and supervision from Virginia. men’s basketball games. During his tenure year, Keys has more than doubled the Over the last three years, Carey produced several Big sponsorship revenues generated for the department each South Conference football and basketball games on the year and refocused the effort to brand the department in Dr. William Gribbin Big South Television Network, as well as, postseason all areas of public image. He has also served on several NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative games for the 2005 Big South Basketball Championship. University committees that concentrated on public image Carey is a veteran in the television broadcast field and such as the University style guide, branding efforts, e-com- Dr. William Gribbin is in his has served as the producer and senior cameraman for the merce and licensing. Keys is the University's licensing 18th year of service as Liberty’s Liberty Broadcasting Network since 1981. Highlights of coordinator in cooperation with Licensing Resource Group. NCAA Faculty Athletic Carey’s Liberty Broadcasting Network sport career include Keys is no stranger to Liberty or to the athletics depart- Representative to the National serving as the producer of the first-ever ESPN televised ment as the 30-year veteran of intercollegiate athletics Collegiate Athletic Association on-campus event (men’s basketball against East started his career in 1973 as a statistician for the men’s (NCAA). He is responsible for Tennessee State on Jan. 10, 1991), producer of the first- basketball program. He was promoted to assistant sports verifying eligibility of the student- ever baseball and volleyball home broadcasts and the information director in 1975, also handling coverage for athletes and acts as a liaison addition of an NCAA football package to the INSP the football and baseball programs. After graduation in between the academic and athletic communities. Television Network in 1999. 1977, he was named the school’s first-ever sports infor- An ex-officio member of the Faculty Senate Athletic The Who’s Who In Television Broadcast award winner mation director and remained in the position until 1985, Committee, Gribbin also chaired the steering committee of carries over 29 years of freelance sport television experi- which allowed him to see the department grow from the Liberty’s self-study for NCAA certification. He currently ence and has worked for such networks as ABC, CBS, NCCAA level to NCAA Division I status. serves on the Big South Conference’s Compliance ESPN, TNT, TBS, TNN, MSG, Fox Sports, Comcast and During his tenure, Keys produced 44 publications which Committee. Jefferson-Pilot/Raycom, covering numerous collegiate received CoSIDA honors at the regional and national lev- Gribbin has served as the Dean of Liberty’s School of events, as well as, events for the NHL, NBA and the WPBA. els, including 11 “Best in the Nation” awards. Keys also Communications from its beginning in 1984, and has Spotlighting Carey’s career sport coverage would was instrumental in establishing the Flames Sports taught English since arriving at Liberty in 1980. He cur- include events such as the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Amos Network, which broadcasts all football and men’s basket- rently teaches the English methods course and supervises Alonzo Stagg Bowl, the McDonald’s All-American game, ball games. He established and produced the athletics student teachers. the 2001 Final Four NCAA Volleyball Championships, the department’s first-ever corporate marketing program. He graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Virginia State Golf Championships, the 2003 NCAA Keys quickly became active on the regional and nation- in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in English Education and Division III Baseball and Basketball Championships, as al scene as he served as the president of the NAIA-SIDA returned to Edinboro to earn his master’s degree in well as, collegiate conference championships such as the from 1982-84 and was honored with the 1984 Ike English Education in 1971. Gribbin earned a Ph.D. in edu- ACC soccer championships and the Pearson Award, signifying the top SID in the NAIA ranks. In cation administration from The Pennsylvania State basketball championships. 1983, Keys played a significant role in the creation of the University in 1977. Carey has been recognized by his peers as a four-time Virginia Sports Information Directors Association, the first Gribbin and his wife, Phyllis, reside in Forest, Va. Telly Award winner, including a Telly Award for his docu- organization of its kind in the nation. In 2002, Keys mentary entitled “The Perfect Season”, highlighting the received the VaSID Distinguished Service Award, honoring Liberty University women’s basketball undefeated 1997- individuals with over 20 years of sports service in the 98 season. He was also given a Communicator Award for Commonwealth of Virginia. He also served as the informa- his documentary entitled “Beyond Bataan”. tion director for the Mason-Dixon Athletic Conference for The native of Washington, D.C., Carey graduated from three years. Danville Community College in 1971 with an associate’s Upon leaving Liberty in 1985, Keys moved to degree in drafting and design technology and has graduat- Morgantown, W.Va., and joined the West Virginia University ed with an ICS degree in television and VCR repair. athletics department staff as the sports publications Carey and his wife, Julia, are the parents of three chil- director, a position he held for 15 years. While under his dren, Michelle, Vanessa and Krystle. supervision, 72 publications were recognized by CoSIDA

LibertyFlames.com 29 LIBERTY FLAMES

Athletic Administration for excellence at the regional and national levels, including Good is no stranger to Liberty or its athletics program, were judged as “Second Best in the Nation” and “Third six which received “Best in the Nation” distinction. as he received his bachelor’s of science in finance in Best in the Nation” by his peers. Wetmore has had a total In his position, Keys administered the production of all 1988 and was a four-year member of the wrestling team. of four publications received recognition as he assisted printed materials for the athletics department, totaling He finished his wrestling career with over 30 career victo- also with the 1997 Flames football game program, which over 150 publications annually and worked as a core ries, including a 20-14 record his senior season. Good was named “Second Best in the Nation”. member of the Communications Group which handled all won the 1988 NCAA South Regional and qualified for the Wetmore is a member of the College Sports Information external affairs aspects for the BCS athletic program. NCAA Division II National Championships, where he fin- Director’s of America (CoSIDA) and the Virginia State During his tenure at West Virginia, he co-authored a book ished the event in ninth place. Sports Information Directors (VaSID). He has served as chronicling the history of the Mountaineer football pro- Good also played a part in the return of the wrestling vice chair of the Big South Conference Sports Information gram. program to Liberty University, having served as the chair- Directors (2001-02), chair of the Big South Conference The Beltsville, Md., native has officiated basketball and man of the former Liberty Wrestling Foundation from Football Sports Information Directors (2002-03) and vice- softball for more than 25 years and worked at least one 2002-05. Under his direction, the organization raised over chair of the Big South Conference Football Sports state playoff basketball game in West Virginia 11-straight $60,000 to help underwrite the return of wrestling to the Information Directors (2004-05). years, including the high school championship in 2000. University. Wetmore received his bachelor's degree in sport man- Keys and his wife, Lori, a native of Lynchburg, have two The native of Lynchburg is a 1983 graduate of Liberty agement in 1998 from Liberty. The Killingworth, Conn., children, Josh, 22, who graduated from Liberty last spring Christian Academy and is married to the former Tracey native resides in the greater and is currently an assistant women’s basketball coach at Greene, a former Liberty University cheerleader and also a Lynchburg area. the College of Charleston, and Jamie, 21, who is currently 1988 graduate. The couple has three children - Patrick attending Liberty. (13), Sydney (10) and Conner (8). Mike Hagen Director of Compliance Bob Good Todd Wetmore Director of Athletics Development & Assistant Athletic Director for Mike Hagen is the newest Flames Club Athletic Media Relations member of the athletics depart- ment senior administrative staff Bob Good is currently in his Todd Wetmore is entering his after being promoted to the posi- third year as a member of the eighth year as head of the Office tion of Director of Compliance in Liberty University Athletics of Athletic Media Relations and May of 2007. Department, having joined the his third year as Assistant Hagen began his professional career as a graduate staff as Director of Athletics Athletic Director for Athletic assistant in the Compliance Office during the 2004-05 Development & Flames Club in Media Relations, a position he athletics season, a position he held until his promotion to August 2005. was promoted to July of 2005. his current position. His responsibilities include the growth and manage- Wetmore, who is in his 11th year of full-time service Hagen serves as the liaison between the University and ment of the Flames Club, coordination of capital cam- within the athletics department, started as an Assistant NCAA services as well as the Big South Conference. He is paigns, and cultivation of major gifts. The majority of Sports Information Director in 1998 and was promoted to responsible for educating the athletic administration, Good’s time is devoted to the Flames Club, which has Sports Information Director in December of 1999. coaches and boosters on current NCAA rules and regula- grown in annual fund membership from 90 members con- In July 2005, the office underwent a name change, tions, as well as overseeing compliance issues set forth by tributing $53,000 in 2004, the year before his arrival, to going from Sports Information to Athletic Media Relations the NCAA to all coaches and student athletes. He also 281 members contributing $243,000 in 2006. to better clarify the office’s role within the athletic depart- handles all transfer and eligibility processes. At the start of the 2007 football season, Flames Club ment, and Wetmore received his latest promotion. Hagen is no stranger to the University nor the athletics membership was on pace to double from the previous Originally, he joined the office as a student assistant in department as the former student-athlete was a four-year year. Good also oversees the Student Flames Club, which 1993 and maintained the position for four years. member of the Flames’ track and field program. had 557 members in the inaugural 2006 year, and the Wetmore’s current primary duties include the distribu- During his time as a trackster, Hagen served as a team Flames Kids Club. tion of information for Liberty’s 18-sport athletics program, captain, focusing on such events as the decathlon, pole Good brings a wealth of business experience to the as well as the athletics department’s liaison with the vault and hurdles. He posted back-to-back sixth-place fin- Liberty University campus, having spent 15 years in vari- media. Wetmore serves as the editor of the school’s ath- ishes in the decathlon as a freshman and sophomore at ous levels of leadership at CitiFinancial, a leading Fortune letic publications and coordinates all media efforts for the the Big South Outdoor Track Championship (2002 and 100 lending company. He got his start with the organiza- football, wrestling and softball teams. 2003) and a third-place finish in the hurdles in the 2004 tion in March 1990 as a branch manager in Virginia After joining the Sports Information staff on a full-time Big South Outdoor Championship. Beach, Va. basis in 1998, Wetmore was instrumental in the creation Hagen was a part of a program which won four-consec- In February 1998, Good was promoted to an area of the athletic department's first web page. The online utive Big South Indoor Championships and three Big training director, where he served as a leadership trainer service which, provided timely results, up-to-date statistics South Outdoor titles. As a senior, Hagen capped off his for 60 branches and 250 employees in five states while and player and coach biographical information for each of career by finishing fourth in the pole vault at the indoor based out of Wilmington, Del. Liberty's athletic teams, gradually improved under his conference championship and sixth in the outdoor title He was elevated to the position of district manager in guidance. In February 2004, Wetmore finished a year-long event. June 1999 and managed nine lending branches through- project to completely redesign the site and helped launch The native of Eaton, Colo., graduated with a bachelor out Northern Georgia and Southeastern Tennessee, while LibertyFlames.com, the new official site of the athletics degree in sport management from Liberty in 2005 and headquartered in Atlanta. Good moved closer to the area department. received his masters degree in business management in May 2002 when he was assigned as a district manager In 2002, Wetmore’s Liberty University football media from Liberty in 2007. in Roanoke, Va. He served in this role until joining the guide cover was judged as “Best in the Nation” by CoSIDA, Liberty University athletics department two years ago. while his 2003 and 2002 football game day programs

30 2007 Liberty Flames Football LIBERTY FLAMES

Athletics Department Staff

Jeff Alder Ashley Becraft Lance Bingham Andy Bloodworth Ryan Bomberger Madeline Bosek Vincent Briedis Steve Brisson Chris Brown Paul Carmany Men’s Soccer Men’s Basketball Track & Field Women’s Basketball Athletic Media Relations Athletic Training Athletic Media Relations Athletics Football Athletic Media Relations Head Coach Administrative Assistant Associate Coach Assistant Coach Associate Director Assistant Trainer Assistant Director Assistant Athletics Facilities Assistant Equipment Manager Assistant Director

Chris Casola Jesse Castro Tom Clark Bev Cole Andy Coleman Jesse Cops Tommy Cromwell Adam Deyo Megan DiFerdinand Jason Eaker Athletic Training Wrestling Football Football Football Athletic Training Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball Athletics Men’s Basketball Head Trainer Head Coach Defensive Coordinator Administrative Assistant Academic Coordinator Assistant Trainer Director of Operations Director of Operations Administrative Assistant Assistant Coach

Barry Finke Bill Gillespie Adam Godwin Ed Gomes Josh Goodman Anne Goudeau Carey Green Laurie Gulluscio Frank Hickson Greg Jimmerson Athletic Training Strength & Conditioning Women’s Soccer Football Athletics Strength & Conditioning Women’s Basketball Athletics Football Track & Field Assistant Trainer Director Assistant Coach Director of Spiritual Development Director of Athletic Facilities Assistant Coach Head Coach CHAMPS/Life Skills Coordinator Assistant Coach Assitant Coach

Chris Johnson Kari Kanagy Scott Lawrenson Dale Layer Blaine McCorkle Ritchie McKay Shane Miller Mike Morris Shane Pinder Albie Powers Tennis Football - Recruiting Athletic Training Men’s Basketball Strength & Conditioning Men’s Basketball Strength & Conditioning Football Volleyball Men’s Golf Head Coach Assistant/Player Services Assistant Trainer Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Head Coach Assistant Coach Head Equipment Manager Head Coach Assistant Coach

Michael Prettyman James Price Kristen Rife Marshall Roberts Buck Romero Becky Rudnick Paul Rutigliano Nick Schnabel Les Schofer Track & Field Women’s Soccer Women’s Basketball Football Football Men’s Basketball Volleyball Football Basketball Athletics Assistant Coach Head Coach Administrative Assistant Assistant Coach Head Coach Academic Coordinator Assistant Coach Assistant AD/Football Operations Assistant Coach Staff Photographer

Aaron Schreiner Kris Sennett Alexis Sherard Dean Short Charles Skalaski Pat Sole Brad Soucie Heather Stephens Jessica Stephens Brandon Streeter Athletic Training Athletics Women’s Basketball Men’s Soccer Football - Assistant Wrestling Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball Athletic Training Football Assistant Trainer Business Manager Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Coach/Recruiting Coordinator Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Trainer Assistant Coach

Pete Sundheim Jeff Thomas Brant Tolsma Jim Toman Jennifer Vaden Tuesday Van Engen Danny Wenger Paul Wetmore Dave Williams Football Golf Track & Field Baseball Volleyball Softball Football Football Softball Strength & Conditioning Associate Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Head Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Head Coach Video Coordinator Head Coach Assistant

Chad Wilt Robert Wimberly Steve Woof Heather Zealand Football Football Athletic Training Track& Field Assistant Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Trainer Administrative Assistant ATHLETICS Since joining the Big South Conference in 1991, Liberty has won 74 conference champi- onships, averaging nearly five league titles per season.

Liberty has won five Big South Sasser Cups (1998, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003), award- ed annually to the most successful athletic program in the league, making Liberty the sec- ond-highest honored program in the confer- ence’s history.

Liberty had 157 student-athletes named to the Big South Presidential Honor Roll at the con- clusion of the 2006-07 season. Over 35 per- cent of its student-athletes recorded a 3.0 GPA or higher in the classroom during the academic year.

Cross country/track and field competitor Arlene Zelinskas was a CoSIDA Academic All- America second-team selection in 2007, Liberty’s 11th CoSIDA Academic All-American in athletic department history. Zelinskas was also one of six student-athletes to earn CoSIDA Academic All-District and VaSID Academic All-State honors.

Kevin Mahan (men’s soccer), Mandee Wheelock (women’s soccer) and Arlene Zelinskas (outdoor track and field) were named Big South Scholar-Athletes of the Year in their respective sports, and 17 Liberty stu- dent-athletes were named to various Big South All-Academic teams.

Arlene Zelinskas capped off a stellar Liberty athletics career last year as she was named the recipient of the Mac Rivera/Rock Royer Award, an award given annually to honor Liberty’s top graduating senior student-athlete.

FOOTBALL Under the direction of Big South Coach of the Year Danny Rocco, Liberty tied for the best turnaround in the nation last year, posting a five-win improvement from 2005 to 2006.

Liberty picked up its first win over a nationally- ranked football program since 1997 with its 34-20 victory over No. 24 Charleston Southern at Williams Stadium.

Liberty rewrote the attendance record book in 2006, setting single-game and single-season records, while ranking No. 13 nationally in average home attendance.

MEN’S BASKETBALL Larry Blair finished his career this past year with 2,211 points scored, making him the Big South Conference’s all-time leading scorer and second-best scorer in program history.

MEN’S GOLF The men’s golf team holds the distinction of being the only athletics program in Liberty’s history to garner an at-large berth to a NCAA Championship, doing so twice over the past five years (2003 and 2006).

WRESTLING The wrestling program quickly reestablished its presence on the mats last year, claiming the NCAA East Regional title and sending four stu- dent-athletes to the NCAA National Championship in its first year back after a 12- year hiatus. SOFTBALL The Lady Flames have won 77 games over the last two years (41 in 2006 and 36 in 2007), including the most-notable wins in program history with victories over No. 6 Michigan, No. 10 Baylor, No. 23 Hawaii and No. 24 Virginia Tech (twice).

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL The Lady Flames ranked No. 7 in the nation with a 3.508 team GPA for the 2006-07 academic year, the highest ranking in program history.

Sophomore Megan Frazee was invited to the USA Basketball Women’s National Team Trials after earning first-team VaSID All-State and All-Big South honors.

VOLLEYBALL Kallie Corbin captured the VaSID State Rookie of the Year and Big South Freshman of the Year awards. Along with Autum Black, the duo comprised the first pair in program history to receive VaSID second-team all-state mention in the same season.

CROSS COUNTRY The men’s and women’s cross country squads swept the Big South team titles for the first time since 1992, with Josh McDougal winning his third-straight individual Big South championship.

TRACK AND FIELD The men’s outdoor track team captured its second IC4A championship in program history, and its first since 1996.

Josh McDougal won five All-America honors between cross country and track, bringing his career total to 11. The junior also joined the sub-4:00 mile club and became the fifth-fastest all-time collegiate performer at 5,000 meters.

BASEBALL For the third-straight season, the diamond Flames won 30 or more games, only the second time in the 33-year history of the program.

With pitcher Michael Solbach and outfielder Garrett Young being drafted in this year’s Draft, Liberty has now had players selected in every MLB Draft since 1999.

WOMEN’S SOCCER For the fifth time in the last eight seasons, the Lady Flames played in the Big South Women’s Soccer Championship title game.

MEN’S SOCCER For the first time, the men’s soccer program had two players sign contracts with profession- al teams. Liberty’s all-time leading scorer Darryl Roberts signed with Sparta Rotterdam FC of the Dutch League’s Division I, and Osei Telesford signed a contract with the Chicago Fire of .

TENNIS Last year, Jonita Randolph became the winningest player, male or female, in Liberty tennis history and the program’s first ever Big South Player of the Year. LIBERTY FLAMES

Flames Football Honor Roll

All-Americans 1997 Rodney Degrate, defensive line 2006 Wynton Jackson, return specialist First Team The Sports Network , 1978 Kim Raynor, running back Manny Rojas, linebacker Churchmen’s Honorable Mention Stephen Sene, offensive line 1982 Mitchell Clark, running back 1981 Mike Forslund, NAIA NAIA Second Team 1982 John Sanders, linebacker Greg Mosely, running back 2003 Sean Boyle, offensive line AFCA (Kodak) NAIA Seth Reichart, defensive line 1983 Earl Rector, Associated Press Little All-American Nick Vaughn, linebacker NAIA 1982 John Sanders, linebacker 2004 Dre Barnes, running back 1985 , NAIA Noah Crouch, punter National Strength Coaches Association 1984 , wide receiver Markus Ferguson, offensive line Winfred Hogans, offensive line Associated Press Little All-American Erick Harris, defensive back Associated Press Little All-American 1985 Kelvin Edwards, wide receiver C.J. Moore, defensive back Steve Clark, defensive back Associated Press Little All-American 2005 Patrick Calvary, defensive back Associated Press Little All-American 1988 Paul Johnson, quarterback Chris Luck, tight end Joe Seamster, defensive back Football Gazette Manny Rojas, linebacker Associated Press Little All-American 1995 Sedrick Watkins, defensive back Brandon Turner, wide receiver 1986 Mark Mathis, Football Gazette 2006 Steven Ackley, defensive line AFCA (Kodak) 1996 Jesse Riley, linebacker E.L. Estes, defensive back 1987 Mickey Paige, linebacker Football Gazette Ryan Greiser, defensive back Football Gazette 1997 Stacy Nobles, running back Jason Horn, defensive line 1995 Andrew McFadden, return specialist Football Gazette Stevie Ray Lloyd, linebacker Football Gazette 1997 Torrey Rush, defensive back Chris Luck, tight end Sports Network Football Gazette Eddie Pinigis, offensive line 1998 Jesse Riley, linebacker 1997 Trey Sartin, offensive line Zach Terrell, running back Associated Press Football Gazette Brandon Turner, wide receiver 2000 Jason Wells, defensive end 1997 Jerome Wicker, defensive line Jarrett Winfrey, offensive line Football Gazette Football Gazette 1998 Stacy Nobles, running back Academic Second Team Football Gazette 2002 Jay Cline, tight end 1977 Scott Goetz, offensive line Ulysses Moore, offensive line 2003 Jay Cline, tight end Churchmen’s Football Gazette 2004 Sam Gado, running back Kim Raynor, running back Torrey Rush, defensive back 2005 Brock Farrel, quarterback Churchmen’s Football Gazette 2006 Ryan Greiser, defensive back 1978 Dave Hertzler, free safety 1999 Stacy Nobles, running back Churchmen’s Football Gazette Big South Player of the Year Ed Landis, Jr., nose guard Billy Seals, linebacker Offensive Churchmen’s Football Gazette 2003 Dre Barnes Rupert Wright, offensive line 2000 Biff Parson, quarterback Churchmen’s Football Gazette Big South Rookie of the Year Rod Gladfelter, defensive back 2001 Jay Kelley, place kicker 2005 Zach Terrell Churchmen’s Football Gazette Steve Kearns, tight end Dre Barnes, running back Big South Coach of the Year Football Gazette Churchmen’s 2006 Danny Rocco 1986 Mark Mathis, cornerback Football Gazette Big South All-Conference Don Hansen’s National Football Gazette – 1989 , tight end First Team All-Region Associated Press 2002 Dre Barnes, running back Second Team Donald Smith, cornerback Aaron DeBerry, defensive line 2002 Dre Barnes, running back Sports Network Kendrick Howard, linebacker Kendrick Howard, linebacker 1990 Keith Hatcher, offensive line Andre Jerry, safety 2004 Seth Reichart, defensive line Associated Press Jay Kelley, punter 2006 Wynton Jackson, return specialist 1991 Pat Nelson, wide receiver 2003 Dre Barnes, running back Stephen Sene, offensive line Associated Press Aaron DeBerry, defensive line 1997 Rodney Degrate, defensive line C.J. Moore, defensive back Third Team Football Gazette Marlon Roman, long snapper 2003 Dre Barnes, running back 1997 Jesse Riley, linebacker Thomas Smith, offensive line 2005 Jason Horn, defensive line Football Gazette 2004 Sean Boyle, offensive line Zach Terrell, running back 1998 Jesse Riley, linebacker Sam Gado, running back 2006 Steven Ackley, defensive line Seth Reichart, defensive line Wynton Jackson, wide receiver Thomas Smith, offensive line Football Gazette Rashad Jennings, running back Nick Vaughn, linebacker Third Team Stevie Ray Lloyd, linebacker 2005 Noah Crouch, punter 1988 Mickey Paige, linebacker Manny Rojas, linebacker Football Gazette Jason Horn, defensive line Zach Terrell, running back 1995 David Long, linebacker Honorable Mention Football Gazette 2006 Jason Horn, defensive line 34 2007 Liberty Flames Football LIBERTY FLAMES

Flames Football Honor Roll

CoSIDA Academic All-Americans 1985 Kelvin Edwards, wide receiver Second Team First Team 1986 Mark Mathis, defensive back 1997 Ulysses Moore, offensive line 1982 Jeff Benson, quarterback , defensive back Ben Anderson, quarterback Kelly Bush, fullback 1987 Mickey Paige, linebacker Stacy Nobles, running back Billy Lord, defensive back Kenny Smith, punter Torrey Rush, defensive back 1998 Jarrod Everson, defensive line 1988 Tom McCutcheon, center 1998 Jarrod Everson, defensive line Charles McCray, running back Stacy Nobles, running back Second Team Richard Shelton, defensive back Ulysses Moore, offensive line , Coach of the Year 1982 Mark DeMoss, placekicker Torrey Rush, defensive back 1989 Eric Green, tight end 1997 Jarrod Everson, defensive line 2003 Sean Boyle, offensive line Donald Smith, return specialist 2004 Jay Cline, tight end Jay Cline, tight end 1991 Pat Nelson, wide receiver Aaron DeBerry, defensive line 1995 Andrew McFadden, return specialist NCAA I-AA All-Independent 1997 Courtney Freeman, wide receiver NCAA I-AA National Player of the Week First Team 1998 Jesse Riley, linebacker 1996 Lawrence Worthington (Delaware State) 1996 Damon Bomar, linebacker 2002 Dre Barnes, running back 1997 Jesse Riley (Delaware State) Rodney Degrate, defensive line 2003 Thomas Smith, offensive line Jamie Christian (Norfolk State) 1997 Rodney Degrate, defensive line 2006 Wynton Jackson, return specialist 2000 Biff Parson (East Tennessee State) Courtney Freeman, wide receiver 2001 Adrian Hall (Gardner-Webb) Jesse Riley, linebacker Second Team Jay Kelley (Wingate) Trey Sartin, offensive line 2003 Dre Barnes, running back Biff Parson (South Florida) 1998 Stacy Nobles, running back 2005 Jason Horn, defensive line Daniel Thomas (Wingate) Jesse Riley, linebacker Zach Terrell, running back 2004 Erick Harris (Chattanooga) Torrey Rush, defensive back 2006 E.L. Estes, defensive back 1999 Jarrod Everson, defensive line Ryan Greiser, defensive back Flames in Postseason Play 2000 Ben Rogers, punter Stephen Sene, offensive line Blue-Gray Game Jarrett Winfrey, offensive line Second Team 1985 Kelvin Edwards, wide receiver 1986 Wayne Haddix, defensive back 1996 Ben Anderson, quarterback Rookie of the Year Courtney Freeman, wide receiver 2005 Zach Terrell, running back Jesse Riley, linebacker Senior Bowl 1986 Wayne Haddix, defensive back 1997 Jamie Christian, linebacker Roanoke Times All-State Team Torrey Rush, defensive back 1989 Eric Green, tight end 1998 Jamie Christian, linebacker First Team Ulysses Moore, offensive line 1997 Courtney Freeman, wide receiver Hula Bowl 2000 Gavin Kralik, wide receiver Trey Sartin, offensive line 1989 Eric Green, tight end Randall State, defensive back Rodney Degrate, defensive line Jason Wells, defensive end 1998 Jesse Riley, linebacker Martin Luther King All-American Classic 2001 Dre Barnes, running back 2003 Dre Barnes, running back 1989 Donald Smith, defensive back Adrian Hall, punt return Thomas Smith, offensive line , head coach Kendrick Howard, linebacker , assistant coach Jay Kelley, placekicker Daniel Thomas, wide receiver

Independent Defensive Player of the Year 1998 Jesse Riley, linebacker

East Coast Athletic Conference All-Stars First Team 1991 Pat Nelson, wide receiver 1994 Daniel Whitehead, placekicker 1995 Andrew McFadden, return specialist

Second Team Mitchell Clark David Hertzler Winford Hogans Ed Landis 1997 Rodney Degrate, defensive line

Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) All-State First Team 1983 Kelvin Edwards, wide receiver 1984 Kelvin Edwards, wide receiver Mitch Lucas, offensive line Fred Banks, wide receiver Bill Kagey, kicker Troy Rice, defensive line Joe Seamster, defensive back Billy Lord Mark Mathis John Sanders Joe Seamster

LibertyFlames.com 35 LIBERTY FLAMES

Flames In The Pros

Name, Position (Years at LU) Green, Eric/TE (1985-86-87-88) Nimako, George/RB (1991-92) Team (League) Years (NFL) 1990-94 (CFL) 1993-94, 97-00 Anderson, Ben/QB (1994-95-96-97) (NFL) 1995 Giants (NFL) 1998 Ravens (NFL) 1996-98 Nivens, Roosevelt/OL (1991-92-93-94) Portland Forest Dragons (AFL) 1999 (NFL) 1999-00 (CFL) 1995 (NFL) 1996 Banks, Fred/WR (1982-83-84) Haddix, Wayne/DB (1983-84-85-86) (NFL) 1985-86 (NFL) 1987-88 Paige, Mickey/LB (1985-86-87-88) Miami Dolphins (NFL) 1987-93 (NFL) 1990-91 Washington Commandos (AFL) 1989-90 (NFL) 1991-92 Barrie, Sebastian/DL (1990-91) Cleveland Browns (NFL) 1993 Parson, Biff/QB (1989-99-2000-01) (NFL) 1992 Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL) 2002 Arizona Cardinals (NFL) 1993-95 Haith, William/DB (1999-2000-01-02) San Diego Chargers (NFL) 1995 Manchester Wolves (AFL) 2005 Rush, Torrey/DB (1996-97-98-99) (NFL) 1996 (NFL Europe) 20001 Arizona Rattlers (AFL) 2000-03 Harris, Erick/WR/DB (2001-02-03-04) San Jose Sabercats (AFL) 2004-05 Amarillo Dusters (AFL) 2005 Sartin, Trey/OL (1995-96-97) (NFL Europe) 2005 Indianapolis Colts (NFL) 1998-99 Basso, Phil/QB (1981-82-83-84) (NFL Europe) 2006 Indianapolis Colts (NFL) 1985 Shelton, Richard/DB (1984-86-87-88) Inverso, Glenn/QB (1977-78-79-80) (NFL) 1989 Brown, Jeff/DB (1979-80-81-82) New York Jets (NFL) 1981 (NFL) 1989-90 Washington Federals (USFL) 1983-84 Chicago Bears (NFL) 1982 Montreal Machine (WLAF) 1991-92 Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) 1992-93-94 Burns, Travis/DB (1998-99-2000-01) Jennings, Butch/RB (1994) Quad City Steamwheelers (AFL) 2004-05 New York Giants (NFL) 1995 Smith, Donald/DB (1986-87-88-89) (NFL) 1990-91 Carswell, Dwayne/TE (1991-92-93) Jones, Rennie/WR (1982-83-84-85) (CFL) 1992-94 Denver Broncos (NFL) 1994-06 Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) 1985 Memphis Maddogs (CFL) 1995 Toronto Argonauts (CFL) 1996-00 Clark, Steve/DB (1982-83-84-85) Kagey, Bill/PK (1982-83-84-85) (NFL) 1985 Dallas Cowboys (NFL) 1986 Washington, Desmond/DB (1997-98) Florida Firecats (AFL) 2001-05 Degrate, Rodney/DL (1994-95-96-97) Kearnes, Steve/TE (1976-77-78-79) Cincinnati Jungle Kats (AFL2) 2007 Portland Forest Dragons (AFL) 1999 British Columbia Lions (CFL) 1980-82 Toronto Argonauts (CFL) 1999 Williams, Lauren (WR) (2003-04-05) Kinard, Leroy/RB (1988-89-90) Rhein Fire (NFL Europe) 2007 Edwards, Darnell/WR (2003-04-05) New York Jets (NFL) 1991-92 Columbus Lions (WIFL) 2007 Active Players listed in Bold Mathis, Mark/DB (1983-84-85-86) Edwards, Kelvin/WR (1982-83-84-85) St. Louis Cardinals (NFL) 1987-88 (NFL) 1986 Edmonton Eskimos (CFL) 1989-91 Dallas Cowboys (NFL) 1987-88 British Columbia Lions (CFL) 1992

Ferguson, Markus/OL (2002-03-04-05) McConnell, Wes/DB (1989-90-91-92) Albany Conquest (AFL2) 2007 (CFL) 1993-94

Forslund, Mike/QB (1979-80-81-82) McFadden, Andrew/WR/RS (1995-96) Washington Federals (USFL) 1983 St. Louis Rams (NFL) 1997 Indianapolis Colts (NFL) 1998 Gado, Sam/RB (2001-02-03-04) Portland Forest Dragons (AFL) 1999-00 Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) 2005 Green Bay Packers (NFL) 2005 McKnight, James/WR (1991-92-93) (NFL) 2006 Seattle Seahawks (NFL) 1994-98 Dallas Cowboys (NFL) 1999-00 Goede, Chris/OL (1991-92-93-94) Miami Dolphins (NFL) 2001-03 Texans (CFL) 1995 Nelson, Pat/WR (1988-89-90-91) Eugene Goodman/RB (2001-02-03-04) (AFL) 1992 Columbus Lions (WIFL) 2007 New York Jets (NFL) 1992-93

36 2007 Liberty Flames Football LIBERTY FLAMES

Flames In The Pros

Flames with Professional Postseason Honors

Year Name, Team Honors 1990 Wayne Haddix, NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fred Banks Eric Green NFL Rookie of the Year Pittsburgh Steelers Selected to the NFL All-Rookie Team by the NFL Players Association, USA Today, United Press International (UPI), Sam Gado Pro Football Writers Association, Pro Football Weekly, Football Digest, Football News, The National

1994 Eric Green NFL Pro Bowl Pittsburgh Steelers

1997 Dwayne Carswell Captain of the Special Teams Denver Broncos First Flame to play in a Super Bowl

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 Flames in the Draft/Free Agent

George Nimako

Eric Green

Kelvin Edwards Richard Shelton

LibertyFlames.com 37 LIBERTY FLAMES

Flames In The Pros

Flames Professional Draft History

Year Player Round/Free Agent Team James McKnight 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) 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) 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 San Antonio Texans (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) Wayne Haddix 1999 Andrew McFadden Free Agent Portland Forest Dragons (AFL) 1999 Rodney Degreate Free Agent Portland Forest Dragons (AFL) Toronto Argonauts (CFL) 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) 2007 Lauren Williams Free Agent Oakland Raiders (NFL)

Jeff Brown Glenn Inverso Steve Kearns Andrew McFadden Biff Parson

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