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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
2007 SOFTBALL
In centuries gone by, "liberty" was just a while a population of 203,000 indwell the Pastor's Office to the students … the purpose
concept - an idea feared by tyrants and greater outlining countries around the "Hill City" is to reach out to students and encourage
dreamed of by the opposed. In more recent … founded in 1786, Lynchburg is one of the those who are experiencing hardship in their
history, "liberty" - became a cause. A deeply oldest cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. lives, whether it be from suffering the loss of a
held belief worth fighting and dying for. Today, loved one, or walking through their own per-
Liberty University has become a place where Students sonal illness or injury … contacts are made
students call home … where people dare to Liberty's 2004-05 on-campus enrollment through phone calls and personal letters to stu-
dream big dreams and then work to see those was 7,728, including students from all 50 states dents in an attempt to the let them know they
dreams come to pass … where old-fashioned and 72 different countries … taking into are not alone as they journey down the road of
values and morality still survive and thrive in a account the University's distance program, adversity … Light Ministries is the facilitator of
world that appears to have forgotten the mean- Liberty's enrollment at the end of the 2004-05 the student missions outreach at Liberty …
ing of the words …where the undeniable Truth academic year was 17,822. Light Ministries have traveled all over the world
of the Ages still reigns supreme … where the … In the past 19 years, Light has conducted
whole person is educated - body, mind and Spiritual Life more than 100 international evangelistic cam-
soul … a place where you can learn, grow and Liberty University remains unwavering in paignsinvolving more than 3000 students min-
achieve wholeness as you become all God cre- its commitment to support the spiritual develop- istering to over 2 million people all over the
ated you to be. ment of its students … the Spiritual Life world … small group Bible studies and prayer
Department is comprised of the Campus groups provide accountability and opportunities
The Mission Pastor's Office, Campus Outreach Ministries for personal spiritual growth and are led by
To produce Christ-centered men and Service and Light Ministries … the Campus Prayer Leaders as each floor of a dormitory
women with the values, knowledge and skills Pastor's Office oversees the spiritual programs has several Prayer Leaders that influence
required to impact tomorrow's world … the mis- on campus such as campus church, disciple- small groups of students through the ministry of
sion is carried out for resident students, ship, three weekly convocations and numerous prayer … Spiritual Life Directors (SLDs) are an
through both undergraduate and graduate pro- other events that promote a more intimate walk extension of the ministry of the Campus
grams, through a rigorous academic program with Jesus Christ … COMS Ministry is a min- Pastor's Office … SLDs help administrate the
and structured social environment … also, it is istry designed to be an outreach of the Campus spiritual programs that will lead to the spiritual
carried out externally for students that can't
make the trek to the campus in a comparable Degree Programs
academic program but without the structure of In higher education, the principal means of ensuring quality is accreditation by a recog-
the resident community through the distance
nized accrediting body or agency. Liberty University is regionally accredited by the
learning program.
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and nationally accredited by the
A Brief History Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). Additionally, a
Behind the dreams of co-founders, number of specific programs are approved by accrediting and licensing bodies for specific
Liberty Chancellor, Dr. Jerry Falwell and Dr. disciplines (i.e. our Nursing, Sport Management, and Education programs). SACS and
Elmer Towns, and President Emeritus, Dr. A. TRACS, in turn, are both recognized accrediting bodies by the United States Department
Pierre Guillermin, Lynchburg Baptist College of Education.
opened its doors to 154 students in the fall of
Undergraduate (Residential) Undergraduate (Distance Learning)
1971 … by 1975, the enrollment reached 1,569
students and 80 faculty members were on staff Accounting, B.S. Business, B.S.
… the school's name changed to Liberty Athletic Training, B.S. Multidisciplinary Studies, B.S.
Baptist College … in 1980, Liberty received Aviation, B.S. Psychology, B.S.
regional accreditation by the Southern Biology, B.S. Religion, A.A, B.S.
Association of College and Schools … gradu- Business, B.S. Nursing, B.S. (R.N. to B.S.N.)
ate programs in education and religion were Communication Studies, B.S.
accredited in 1984 … on May 6, 1985, the Computer Science, B.S. Graduate (Residential)
Board of Trustees agreed to rename Liberty English, B.A. Doctor of Education, Ed.D.
Baptist College and the name Liberty Exercise Science/Fitness Programming, Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D.
University was established … the student B.S. Education Specialist, Ed.S.
enrollment reached over 6,000 … in 1989, the Family and Child Development, B.S. Master of Arts in Communication
Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch newspaper Family and Consumer Sciences, B.S. Studies, M.A.
labeled Liberty as "the fastest growing college General Studies, B.S. Master of Arts in Human Relations, M.A.
in the state of Virginia" … in the spring of 1997, Master of Arts in Marriage and Family
Government, B.S.
the Board of Trustees appointed Dr. John M.
Health Promotion, B.S. Therapy, M.A.
Borek, Jr., as the University's second president
… in the spring of 1998, the University received History, B.S., B.A. Master of Arts in Professional
its 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation with Interdisciplinary Studies, B.S. Counseling, M.A.
the Southern Association of College and Interiors and Fashion Merchandising, Master of Arts in Religious Studies, M.A.
Schools and the Transnational Association of B.S. Master of Education, Ed.M.
Christian Colleges and Schools … on March Management Information Systems, B.S. Master of Science in Nursing, M.S.
24, 2004, the University promoted Brig. Mathematics, B.S.
General David L. Young to the position of Music, B.M. Graduate (Distance Learning)
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Nursing, B.S.N. Business, M.B.A.
Officer who is currently charged with leading Philosophy and Religion, B.A.
the ever-growing University into the future. Physical Education, B.S. School of Law
Psychology, B.S.
Location Religion, A.A., B.S., B.A. Seminary
SOFTBALL
Liberty's campus is located in Lynchburg, Social Science, B.S. Doctor of Ministry, D.Min.
the heart of Virginia on the south banks of the Spanish, B.A. Master of Arts in Religion, M.A.R.
historic James River with the scenic Blue Ridge Master of Arts in Theology, Th.M.
Sport Management, B.S.
Mountains as a back drop … the city is over
Teaching English as a Second Master of Divinity, M.Div.
200 years old and is noted for its culture, beau-
Language, B.A. Master of Religious Education, M.R.E.
ty and educational institutions … roughly
64,000 citizens call Lynchburg their home, Worship and Music Ministry, B.S.
56 LIBERTY FLAMES
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
2007 SOFTBALL
provide students with two unique on-campus program have been named some of the best in
shopping opportunities … six different cafes the nation by Campus Activities Today, a lead-
are located in various positions throughout the ing trade publication for college activities … the
4,400 acre campus and provide a variety of menu of events include a concert series, 15 dif-
eating experiences. ferent intramural sports, as well as Coffee
House, the very popular monthly student talent
Culture and Entertainment show … the school year is kicked off with our
Liberty has an outstanding history of annual "Block Party" … this is a great time to
bringing notable speakers to our campus … relax and meet new friends or renew old
individuals such as Presidents Ronald Reagan acquaintances before the pressures of the
and George Bush, George W. Bush, Senator school year begins … this is a mini-fair type
Jesse Helms, Supreme Court Justice Clarence event with carnival games, rock climbing, a
Thomas and Reverend Billy Graham have Velcro wall, batting cages and even fireworks.
delivered inspiring messages to our students
… the school also brings in evangelists, pas- Central Virginia Region
tors, businessmen and women, political lead- The natural beauty of the Central Virginia
ers, well-known journalists and others to share region attracts thousands of tourists each year
their dynamic messages from our podium … and provides a stunning backdrop for a wide
Chancellor Dr. Jerry Falwell also speaks on a variety of outdoor activities … River Ridge Mall,
regular basis … numerous concerts featuring home to more than 85 shops, lies less than a
the best in contemporary Christian music come mile away from Liberty's campus and Candler's
to the campus … NEWSONG, D.C. Talk, Station, another large shopping center, is easi-
Supertones, 4-Him, Point of Grace, Newsboys, ly within walking distance … a wide range of
Jars of Clay, Jennifer Knapp and Stephen restaurants and coffee houses can be found in
Arthur C. DeMoss Learning Center Curtis Chapman as well as Michael W. Smith, the Lynchburg area … less than an hour away
Third Day and many others have shared their is Appomattox Court House, the historic site
development of the students on their hall … the powerful testimonies through music at Liberty. where our nation was reunited, ending the Civil
SLDs work hands on with Prayer Leaders to War … Monument Terrace, located in down-
mentor and equip them for ministry. Student Activities Program town Lynchburg, is a 139-step staircase which
Liberty is filled with young men and honors veterans from Lynchburg who fought
Dorm And Campus Life women who know how to work hard and how to and died for our nation in various wars … Point
Our unique alcohol and drug-free envi- play hard … Liberty provides its students with of Honor is a beautiful old home built by Patrick
ronment encourages the students to enjoy col- various opportunities for recreation including Henry's doctor (Dr. George Cabell, Sr.) …
lege life without the pressure found on many the East Campus Clubhouse, the LaHaye Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson's personal
campuses to lower your moral standards … Lounge and the LaHaye Student Center … the retreat is located in nearby, Forest, Va. …
dormitories are managed by the Residence East Campus Clubhouse, located at the about 30 miles from Lynchburg is the
Life Office (RLO) … the RLO provides a quali- entrance to Liberty Campus East dormitories, Appalachian Trail … the Blue Ridge Parkway is
ty Christ-centered living environment by offer- is a recreational center that offers billiards, ranked as "America's most scenic drive" …
ing adequate processes for housing assign- Foosball, air hockey, Playstation, Xbox, satel- Crab Tree Falls is made up of five separate
ments and room changes for our resident stu- lite TV, a theater, computer lounge, the cascades with hiking trails leading to each …
dents, by offering students a variety of living Campus East Market and a pool … completed Natural Bridge, one of the "Seven Natural
spaces, by managing the residence halls to in the Fall of 2000, the LaHaye Lounge now Wonders of the World" is located in the nearby
provide clean, safe, climate-controlled rooms serves as a "hot spot" for students to enjoy 50- Shenandoah Valley … the Peaks of Otter are
with quality furnishings and technological inch big screen televisions (with satellite), a two of the loftiest peaks in the state of Virginia
access and by coordinating housing for computer room, and comfortable couches for and are accessible from the Blue Ridge
overnight visitors who visit the residence halls studying and relaxation … the newest addition Parkway … Smith Mountain Lake is located
… the RLO provides a quality Christ-centered to the Liberty University campus is the LaHaye within an hour's driving distance and features
learning environment by selecting Resident Student Center, an 84,000 square foot recre- 500+ miles of beautiful shoreline on the man-
Assistants and professional staff according to ation center located in Campus North which made lake … Wintergreen is called "the
our selection criteria, by training the Resident includes a lounge, six basketball courts, cardio South's single-best ski resort", located less
Assistants and professional staff to fulfill the and weight rooms, a multi-purpose room and than an hour from Lynchburg, featuring 17
responsibilities of our positions, by encourag- an aerobic room … Liberty's student activities slopes and trails.
ing the holistic development of the resident stu-
dent through our people and platforms and by
promoting Christian community among the res-
ident students through our people and plat-
forms … on-campus resident students make a
"home away from home" in one of our 52 dor-
mitories … men and women live in separate
residence halls … each room is air-conditioned
and houses 2-3 students … each dormitory
floor takes on its own personality and flavor as
the year progresses … the dormitory will not
MEDIA GUIDE
only become a place to live, but a place where
lasting friendships are formed through fellow-
ship and encouragement … a modern and
well-equipped cafeteria features food service
provided by Sodexho, while numerous cafes
and stores are located throughout the Liberty
campus … students may select from a large
delicatessen, salad bar, cereal bar, ice cream
bar or one of the buffet-style lines from the
Reber Thomas Dining Hall … the Keyhole
Convenience Store and the East Side Market
LIBERTY FLAMES 57
ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION
2007 SOFTBALL
Dr. Jerry Falwell Dr. Ronald M. Godwin Jeff Barber Mickey Guridy Meredith Hollyfield
Chancellor Executive Vice President Director of Athletics Associate Athletics Director - Associate Athletics Director -
Internal Operations Compliance Director/SWA
Kristie Beitz Bill Gribbin Bruce Carey Bob Good Kevin Keys
Associate Athletics Director for NCAA Faculty Athletic Assistant Athletics Director Director of Athletics Assistant Athletics Director -
Academic Affairs Representative for Television Media Development/Executive External Operations
Director - Flames Club
Todd Wetmore Joe Pouliot Heather Mitchell Jeff Alder Jesse Castro
Assistant Athletics Director Director of Athletics Facilities Ticket Manager Men’s Soccer Coach Wrestling Coach
for Athletic Media Relations
Randy Dunton Carey Green Chris Johnson Shane Pinder James Price
Men’s Basketball Coach Women’s Basketball Coach Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Coach Women’s Soccer Coach
Tennis Coach
SOFTBALL
Danny Rocco Matt Royer Jeff Thomas Brant Tolsma Paul Wetmore
Football Coach Baseball Coach Golf Coach Men’s and Women’s Track and Softball Coach
Cross Country Coach
58 LIBERTY FLAMES
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
2007 SOFTBALL
Student-Athletes continue to score was the first honoree as she was allows the Athletic Academic Services
high marks in the classroom, as well selected to the second-team squad, staff to create a database that monitors
as, on the playing field because of the while football player Jay Cline and the student-athletes performance and
efforts of the Liberty University Athletic women's basketball player Kristal identifies at-risk students.
Academic Services staff. Tharp were also named to the second- There are five main areas that
In 2005-06, 181 student-athletes teams for their respective sports. Liberty's Athletic Academic Services
(44 percent) posted a 3.0 GPA or bet- Track and Field athlete Danielle staff oversees in order to guarantee
ter in the classroom with 65 student- McNaney became just one of three that the student-athletes are aware of
athletes (16 percent) being named to student-athletes in school history to every phase for academic support.
the school’s Dean’s List. 65 of these garner first-team honors as she These five areas are time manage-
individuals produced a 3.5 GPA or bet- capped off a stellar collegiate career by ment, study skills, degree planning,
ter in the classroom, while eight stu- being named to the team in the spring. course selection and tutoring.
dent-athletes finished with a perfect In total, Liberty has had 10 student-ath- Each student-athlete has the
4.0 GPA. letes named to a CoSIDA Academic opportunity for priority registration
Among all athletic programs for All-America team which is the highest each semester. This provides the stu-
the 2005-06 academic year, the volley- academic honor that a NCAA student- dent-athlete with a chance to select
ball team led all women’s teams with a athlete can receive. classes that best suite their athletic
3.425 GPA, while the men’s tennis Also, Liberty had four different ath- and academic schedules. It is also the
team led all the men’s teams with a letes named Big South Scholar student-athletes' responsibility to
3.228 GPA. Athletes of the Year for the respective inform the professor of the fact that he
Also accumulating a 3.00 team sport as Kristin Colson (Volleyball), or she is part of an athletic team and
GPA or higher were the baseball team Jonathan Dickenson (Men's Golf), make arrangements to complete any
(3.098), the men’s cross country team Evan Falat (Men's Cross Country) and missed assignments or tests in a time-
(3.034), the women’s basketball team Danielle McNaney (Indoor Track and ly fashion when missing a class to trav-
(3.348), the women’s soccer team Field and Outdoor Track and Field). el or athletic competition.
(3.353), the women’s tennis team A key component of the academic Study hall is designed for any stu-
(3.222), the women’s track team support system is the monitoring of the dent-athletes that may need a speci-
(3.297), the women’s cross country student's progress throughout the fied time during the week for study pur-
team (3.425) and the volleyball team semester. Each team has an academ- poses. All student-athletes that have
(3.146). Overall, student-athletes at ic liaison that works directly with the under a 2.5 GPA are required to attend
Liberty University posted a 2.93 GPA. athletic academic services staff and study hall. Study hall is located in the
2004-05 proved to be a banner the student-athletes. The liaisons are quiet rooms of the Arthur S. DeMoss
year for individual academic achieve- responsible for helping the student- Learning Center three times a week in
ments amongst Liberty University stu- athletes to excel in the classroom. a central location near the library and
dent-athletes as Liberty had four stu- The academic monitoring of the the Integrated Learning Resource
dent-athletes named to various student-athlete is handled through the Center (ILRC).
CoSIDA Academic All-America teams. use of progress reports as the faculty
Kristin Colson of the volleyball team fill out grade reports online, which
Liberty's NCAA Division I CoSIDA Academic All-America
sponsored by the College Sports Information Directors of America
Jason Benham Holly Deem Jay Cline Kristin Colson Jarrod Everson
Third-Team Third-Team Second-Team Second-Team First-Team
Baseball - 1998 Track - 1998 Football - 2005 Volleyball - 2005 Football - 1998
Second-Team
Football - 1997
MEDIA GUIDE
MEDIA GUIDE
Jennifer Hodges Danielle McNaney Heather Sagan Kristal Tharp Cathy Williams
Third-Team First-Team First-Team Second-Team Third-Team
W. Soccer - 1999 Track - 2005 Track - 2002 W. Basketball - Cross Country - 1998
2005
Second-Team Second-Team
Track - 2004 Track - 2001
LIBERTY FLAMES 59
ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE
2007 SOFTBALL
The Liberty University Athletics (Outdoor Track and Field), garnered • Zach Terrell became the first football
Department is one of just two athletics Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors. player in school history to garner Big
departments in the history of the Big For Falat, it was the second-straight South Rookie of the Year and VaSID
South Conference to have claimed the year he was so honored. Rookie of the Year honors by setting a
title of five-time Big South Sasser Cup • Of the 45 Big South Coach of the new freshman school record for rush-
champions. Liberty has claimed the Year honors awarded to Liberty coach- ing in a season.
title five out of the last nine years, while es, Brant Tolsma, head cross country • Jason Horn and Zach Terrell were
Coastal Carolina picked up its eighth and track and field coach, accounts for selected to the Don Hanson’s Weekly
Sasser Cup championship this past 28 of those honors. Football Gazette All-Southeast Region
season. • Josh McDougal was named last third team, honoring the best NCAA
The George F. "Buddy" Sasser year’s Big South Howard Bagwell Male Division I-AA players in the southeast
Cup, formerly known as the Student-Athlete of the Year, the confer- part of the nation.
Commissioner's Cup and named for ence’s top honor, making McDougal • On December 2, Liberty University
the retired Coastal Carolina Director of the school’s second-ever Howard named former Virginia associate head
Athletics and the former commissioner Bagwell award winner as Keith Butler coach Danny Rocco the new head
of the Big South Conference, is award- won the honor in 2000. football coach, making Rocco the sev-
ed to the Big South member institution • Liberty’s 17 different athletic teams enth person to hold the title in school
with the most successful athletic year combined to post a 2.93 GPA during history.
based on a point system. Liberty and the 2005-06 academic year with nine • Kendall Nichols finished off a stellar
Coastal Carolina have finished in the different teams posting a 3.00 team rookie season for the volleyball team
top two spots in the Sasser Cup rank- GPA or higher (baseball, men’s cross as she was named to the Big South All-
ings for eight out of the last nine years. country, women’s cross country, men’s Freshman squad.
During the course of the 2005-06 tennis, women’s tennis, women’s track • The Lady Flames volleyball,
season, the Flames claimed confer- and field, women’s basketball, women’s soccer and women’s cross
ence titles in women’s basketball, their women’s soccer, volleyball). country teams were recipients of the
unprecedented 10th straight, men’s • Last year, 181 student-athletes (44 Big South’s Team Sportsmanship
cross country, men’s indoor track and percent) posted a 3.0 GPA or better in Award, an honor bestowed upon those
field, while the women’s soccer pro- the classroom, with 65 student-ath- squads by their fellow conference
gram became the first Big South letes (16 percent) being named to the teams.
school to ever capture a third confer- school’s Dean’s List with a 3.5 GPA or • Senior men’s soccer player Daniel
ence title with its third league champi- higher. Darnell was one of several student-
onship in the last seven years. • Also, eight different student-athletes athletes honored by the Big South
Since becoming an NCAA Division finished the academic year with a per- Conference as he was given the
I program in 1988, the Liberty fect 4.0 cumulative GPA. George A. Christenberry Award for
University Athletics Department has • 164 student-athletes were named to Academic Excellence, an honor that is
raised the bar of success, striving to the Big South Presidential Honor Roll, bestowed upon the single male and
achieve a higher level of success each honoring the conference’s top student- female athlete in their sport to finish
year. Each one of Liberty’s 18 sports athletes, both in the classroom and on their careers with the highest cumula-
have contributed to the overall success the athletic field. tive GPA.
of the athletics department. • Over the last eight athletic seasons, • Men’s soccer player Osei Telesford
the Flames have had 10 student-ath- was named the Premier Development
Did you know: letes named to a CoSIDA Academic League Defender of the Year, while
• Since joining the Big South All-America team, the highest academ- also garnering a spot on the 2006 PDL
Conference in 1991, Liberty has won ic honor that an NCAA student-athlete All-League team.
69 conference championships, averag- can receive. • The women’s soccer team became
ing nearly five conference champi- • During the 2004-05 academic year, the first women’s soccer program in
onships per year. Liberty had four student-athletes Big South Conference history to win
• The Flames claimed four of the named to various CoSIDA Academic three league championships as Liberty
league’s 17 conference champi- All-America teams as Jay Cline grabbed its third title in the last seven
onships during the 2005-06 season, (Football), Kristin Colson (Volleyball) years (also in 2000 and 2001).
claiming conference titles in women’s and Kristal Tharp (Women’s • Rachel Bendzlowicz became the
basketball, men’s indoor track and Basketball) were second-team hon- third player in school history to be
field, men’s cross country and orees, while Danielle McNaney named Big South Tournament MVP,
women’s soccer. (Women’s Track and Field) was named joining the sister tandem of Nancy and
• Liberty leads all Big South institu- to the first-team squad. Jenny Davis who led Liberty to its first
tions with 1,166 all-time all-conference • Danielle McNaney’s selection to the two league titles in 2000 and 2001.
selections, including 84 all-conference CoSIDA Academic All-America first- • The men’s cross country team cap-
SOFTBALL
honorees during the 2005-06 season. team track and field team marked tured its first Big South title since the
• In the classroom this past year, Liberty’s third-ever first-team 1999 season and the seventh in the
Liberty placed 17 different athletes on Academic All-American as she joined history of the school, making Liberty’s
various Big South all-academic teams, Jarrod Everson’s selection in 1999 men’s cross country team the most
while two student-athletes, Evan Falat (football) and Heather Sagan’s selec- successful team in the history of the
(Cross Country) and Arlene Zelinskas tion in 2001 (track and field). conference.
60 LIBERTY FLAMES
ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE
2007 SOFTBALL
• Josh McDougal was named Big league to claim the title since the con- Country Coaches Association
South Runner of the Year for the sec- ference recognized the sport as a con- (USTFCCCA) Women’s All-Academic
ond-straight year, while head coach ference sport. Track and Field Team.
Brant Tolsma was named Big South • Josh McDougal was named the Most • Josh McDougal completed the sea-
Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Outstanding Male Track Performer at son with his fourth All-American honor
Year for the fifth time in his career. the Big South Indoor Track of the year and the sixth of his career in
• Josh McDougal took fourth place at Championships after claiming victories the 5,000 meters at the NCAA National
the NCAA National Cross Country in the mile and the 3,000 meters. Outdoor Track and Field Champion-
Championship, earning the sophomore • Arlene Zelinskas was named the ships and was named Big South Track
his second-straight All-American cross Most Outstanding Female Track and Field Athlete of the Year.
country season. Performer at the Big South Indoor • Sophomore Parker McKoy earned
• The women’s cross country team Track Championship after claiming vic- Big South all-conference honors as he
placed three runners on the Big South toies in the 60 meters and in the pen- was Player of the Year runner-up with a
all-conference team as Sarah Roberts, tathlon. second-place finish at the Big South
Danielle Jordan and Carol Jefferson • Josh McDougal added two more All- Men’s Golf Championship, marking the
were all honored by the league, tying American honors to his storied Liberty first Liberty player to make the all-con-
for the largest group of all-conference career at the NCAA Indoor Track ference team since 2004 and just the
members for Liberty since the 2000 Championships by finishing fourth in 12th in school history.
season. the 5,000 meters and fifth in the 3,000 • For the second time in the history of
• Men’s basketball player Larry Blair meters. the program, the men’s golf team
was named to the Big South first-team • Women’s tennis player Jonita earned an at-large bid to the NCAA
all-conference squad, marking the Randolph was named to the VaSID all- Regionals as they also accomplished
third-straight year that Blair has been state academic team, honoring the top the feat in 2003.
named to the all-conference team. student-athletes in the Commonwealth • Jessica Moore was named VaSID
• Larry Blair became just the second of Virginia. State Softball Player of the Year as the
player in school history, along with • Liberty University named former junior broke her own school record with
Peter Aluma, to be named to the VaSID men’s tennis player Chris Johnson its 21 home runs, becoming the fifth play-
first-team all-state team, honoring the new head men’s and women’s tennis er in school history to garner the top
top five Division I players in the coach, making Johnson the fourth player in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Commonwealth of Virginia. head men’s coach and second head honor.
• The women’s basketball team cap- women’s coach in the history of the • Softball coach Paul Wetmore was
tured its 10th-straight Big South program. named VaSID State Coach of the Year
Conference title, setting a new confer- • Track and field sprinter Charlene after leading the team to a school
ence record for league championships Hibbert was one of several selected record tying 41 victories, marking the
by a single team. student-athletes from around the coun- fourth time in his career that he has
• Women’s basketball coach Carey try to be named to the NCAA won the honor, which ties him atop the
Green was named the VaSID State Leadership Conference Counsel. all-state coaching list.
Coach of the Year, marking the second- • Arlene Zelinskas was named to the • The baseball program set a new
straight season that he has been U.S. Track and Field and Cross school record for Division I victories in
tabbed the best head coach in the a season with 39, marking the second-
Commonwealth of Virginia. straight year that the program has
• Sophomore Roli-Ann Nikagbatse eclipsed the 30-win plateau.
was named the first-ever Big South • Pitcher Michael Solbach was drafted
Conference Women’s Basketball by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the
Defensive Player of the Year, while 48th round of the MLB Draft, marking
Carey Green was honored as the Big the eighth-straight year that Liberty has
South Coach of the Year for the third had a baseball player selected in the
time. MLB Draft.
• The women’s basketball team fin- • On January 23, former Senior
ished the year with the 14th-best team Associate A.D. at South Carolina Jeff
GPA in the nation as the collective Barber was named Liberty’s new
group finished the year with a 3.338 Director of Athletics, becoming the 10th
team GPA. person in the history of the department
• Liberty University named former to garner the title.
MEDIA GUIDE
Flames’ wrestling standout Jesse • For just the fourth time in school his-
Castro the reinstated program’s new tory, two student-athletes were recipi-
head coach, bringing back a four-time ents of the Mac Rivera/Rock Royer
NCCAA national champion to direct the Award, which was established to honor
program after a 13-year hiatus. the top senior student-athlete at Liberty
• The men’s indoor track and field University, as women’s soccer player
team captured its ninth-straight Big Sonia Roriguez and baseball player
South Conference title, continuing its Phillip Thompson were last year’s joint
string of being the only team in the Osei Telesford award winners.
LIBERTY FLAMES 61
ATHLETIC FACILITIES
2007 SOFTBALL
Al Worthington Stadium Esbenshade-Hershey Tennis Center
Hancock Athletic Center Weight Room Matthes-Hopkins Track Complex
SOFTBALL
Vines Center Williams Stadium
62 LIBERTY FLAMES
LIBERTY SOFTBALL FIELD
2007 SOFTBALL
Liberty Softball Field Quick Facts
Name: Liberty Softball Field
Site: Adjacent to Liberty University’s Intramural Field
off of Flames Way next to Senior Dorm 32
Capacity: 500
Surface: Natural Grass
Dimensions:
Right - 200 feet
Center - 200 feet
Left - 200 feet
Height of Fence: 6 feet
Opening Day: March 4, 1994
First Game Result: George Mason 9, Liberty 5
First Liberty Win: March 14, 1994 - Liberty 4,
UMBC 3
First Big South Game: March 14, 1994 vs. UMBC
First Big South Win: March 14, 1994 - Liberty 4,
Construction on the Liberty Softball kler system was installed, enabling around- UMBC 3
Field began as soon as the University the-clock-care for the facility, while a perma-
announced during the spring of 1993 that nent warning track was added around the
the school was going to reinstate the softball entire field. Games at Liberty Softball Field
Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W-L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pct.
program after a seven-year hiatus. The During the 1997 offseason, a new bat-
1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..231
1994 Liberty squad practiced at then Liberty ting cage was added, located in the left field
1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..500
University’s North Campus during the fall of foul territory. The batting cage is used for 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..700
1993. both daily practices and pre-game warm-up 1997 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..778
The Lady Flames moved from their sessions. 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..600
temporary practice location to the Liberty In 2001, a new scoreboard was 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..888
Softball Field on March 4, 1994, as they installed behind the right-center field fence. 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..600
played host to George Mason in the squad’s The scoreboard measures 6’ x 16’ and is an 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..250
season opener. Fans in attendance that day electronically-based unit that features run- 2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..364
saw the Lady Flames get off to an exciting ning score, inning totals and ball and strike 2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..636
2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..273
start, scoring five runs in the first inning to counts.
2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .563
take a 5-0 lead. However a more experi- In 2005, a new 37’ netted backstop
2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..681
enced George Mason team prevailed, even- was installed with the new feature measur- Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128-101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..559
tually defeating Liberty, 9-5. ing the same height as the Boston Red
As the program continued to grow, so Sox’s fabled Green Monster at Fenway Big South Games at Liberty Softball Field
expansions to the facility continued. In 1995, Park. A new plastic coated side line fence Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .W-L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pct.
dugouts were constructed and permanent was installed down the left and right field 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..500
metal fencing was added around the entire fences and a new windscreen was installed 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..125
field. Each dugout contains an extension on the outside fence, while a tarp was pur- 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..500
1997 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.000
toward the backstop with the first base chased to cover the field during times of
1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..375
extension serving as an equipment/storage inclement weather.
1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..900
closet, while the third base extension serves The latest upgrades to the Liberty 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.000
as the softball press box. Softball Field took place prior to the start of 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..333
During the summer of 1996, the finish- the 2007 season as two new batting cages 2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..250
ing touches were placed on the dugouts, as and two pitching bullpens were installed 2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..400
player restroom facilities were completed. A beyond the center field scoreboard. The old 2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..250
scoreboard was installed as well, located batting cage area was converted into a large 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..500
above the first base dugout. The outfield storage area for the program. 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..500
also underwent several changes as a sprin- Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..543
Lady Flames Records at Liberty Softball Field
Individual Record Team Record
Runs Scored 4 by Alycia Stevens vs. NC A&T, 4/14/95 15 vs. three teams
4 by Jessica Moore three times; last vs. North Carolina A&T, 4/1/06 last vs. North Carolina A&T, 4/1/06
Hits 4 by 10 players, last by Dawn Jeffs vs. Lynchburg College, 4/19/06 16 vs. Radford, 3/5/96
16 vs. Charleston Southern, 4/22/05
RBI 7 by Amanda Maska vs. East Carolina 4/17/04 14 vs. West Virginia Tech, 4/9/05
MEDIA GUIDE
7 by Tiffany Johnson vs. West Virginia Tech, 4/9/05
Doubles 3 by Jessica Moore vs. Bethune-Cookman, 4/3/06 4 vs. Virginia, 4/20/04
4 vs. Bethune-Cookman, 4/3/06
Triples 2 by Stacy Radulovich vs. North Carolina A&T, 3/30/98 3 vs. UMass-Lowell, 3/11/96
Home Runs 3 by Jessica Moore vs. Gardner-Webb, 3/8/06 5 vs. Gardner-Webb, 3/8/06
Stolen Bases 4 by Stacy Radulovich vs. Towson State, 3/20/96 8 vs. North Carolina A&T, 3/26/96
4 by Susan Naylor vs. Mount St. Mary’s, 3/4/95
Innings Pitched 8.0 by Katie Phillips vs. Radford, 3/5/96 9.0 vs. East Carolina, 4/4/98
8.0 by Sarah Swor twice, last vs. Mount St. Mary’s, 3/7/06
Strikeouts 13 by Katie Phillips vs. Cleveland State, 3/8/99 13 vs. Cleveland State, 3/8/99
13 by Terra Lowe vs. West Virginia Tech, 4/9/05 13 vs. West Virginia Tech, 4/9/05
Longest Winning Streak: 9 - from April 3, 1997 to March 10, 1998; from March 7, 2007 to April 3, 2006
LIBERTY FLAMES 63
