CONTENTS 2020-21 ANNUAL REPORT
4 5 6 8 12 14 15
OUR MISSION
ACADEMICS
COMMUNITY SERVICE
FBC MORTGAGE CURE BOWL
FOOTBALL SEASON RECAP
FUTURE FOOTBALL SCHEDULES FOOTBALL SCHEDULE MAP
16 18 19 24 28 36 38
#CREATEDEQUALLY CAMPAIGN
FLAMES CLUB
SUPER SPRING SUCCESS
YEAR-IN-REVIEW
PLAYER & COACHES HONORS
FACILITIES
SOCIAL MEDIA
LIBERTY ATHLETICS MISSION Liberty University is a distinctly Christian liberal arts university committed to the pursuit of excellence in all phases of its mission. The university’s mission is to produce Christ-centered men and women with the values., knowledge, and skills required to impact tomorrow’s world. In keeping with the traditional association of sports with education, intercollegiate athletics constitute an integral and very visible aspect of Liberty’s educational program.
VISION Liberty trains Champions for Christ by providing a high-quality student-athlete experience and achieving victory with integrity in its intercollegiate athletics program.
GOALS Student-Athlete Experience: Student-athletes will be afforded the highest quality academic, athletic, spiritual, and social experience. Champion Performance: Each program will achieve competitive success and Liberty will be recognized as one of the nation’s fastest rising athletics programs. Culture of Integrity: The programs will demonstrate Christian commitment and integrity through service initiatives, good sporting conduct, rules compliance, gender equity and cultural diversity. Fiscal Performance: Revenue streams will be enhanced and operational efficiency increased in order to operate highly competitive athletics programs. Build the Brand: The visibility of each athletics program will be used to strengthen the Liberty brand and engage constituents in the university’s life.
IAN MCCAW, LIBERTY UNIVERSITY DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS 4 | Liberty Athletics
Develop and Equip Leaders: Liberty Athletics develops, equips and prepares student-athletes, coaches and staff to become Christ-centered leaders.
ACADEMICS QUICK FACTS
2 19 44 136 249 393 465
COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS
TEAMS WITH A 3.0+ CUMULATIVE GPA
STUDENT-ATHLETES WITH A 4.0 CUMULATIVE GPA
STUDENT-ATHLETES COMPLETED THEIR DEGREES
Liberty University student-athletes continue to score high marks both in the classroom and on the field due to the efforts of Academic Affairs for Athletics. With offices and academic space located in the Liberty Athletics Center (LAC), which opened in November, 2017, Liberty Academics Affairs for Athletics provides resources for student-athletes to succeed, including two open learning environments, a tech lab, two smart classrooms, multiple tutorial and group study rooms, multiple neighborhoods for specific study, and a studentathlete development center.
3.27
88%
SECOND HIGHEST STUDENT-ATHLETE CUMULATIVE GPA IN LIBERTY ATHLETICS HISTORY
HIGHEST NCAA GRADUATION SUCCESS RATE IN LIBERTY ATHLETICS HISTORY
STUDENT-ATHLETES ON THE ASUN ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL
STUDENT-ATHLETES WITH A 3.0+ CUMULATIVE GPA
TOTAL ACADEMIC HONORS IN 2020-21 2020-21 Annual Report | 5
COMMUNITY SERVICE Liberty University student-athletes have continued to give their time and efforts in demonstrating love and care by serving the local community. Using the NCAA Athletics platform, Liberty’s student-athletes make a difference in the lives of individuals of all ages in both the public and private sectors. “Love. Care. Serve.” is the promise Liberty student-athletes have for each other and the Lynchburg community. The goals are to demonstrate love, care for those in need, and serve with a grateful heart. 2020-21 Events Student-Athlete Trick-Or-Treat So Others Can Eat: 3,400 cans collected and donated. Hop On Pop: 3,533 books were collected and donated. Attitude of Gratitude: Over 1,000 letters distributed to faculty and staff.
6 | Liberty Athletics
2020-21 Annual Report | 7
x
LIBERTY VS. COASTAL CAROLINA
2020 FBC
CURE #BEAT 8 | Liberty Athletics
MORTGAGE
BOWL COASTAL ORLANDO, FL DECEMBER 26, 2020 2020-21 Annual Report | 9
BACK -TOBACK Liberty’s Elijah James blocked a game-ending field goal attempt in overtime, securing No. 23/23 Liberty’s 37-34 win over No. 9/11 Coastal Carolina in the 2020 FBC Mortgage Cure Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Liberty snapped Coastal Carolina’s (11-1) 12-game winning streak, which was tied for the longest FBS winning streak in the nation. Liberty quarterback Malik Willis was named Cure Bowl MVP after totaling 357 yards of offense and rushing for a Cure Bowl-record four touchdowns. Liberty earned its first-ever win over an FBS Top 25 program and knocked Coastal Carolina from the ranks of the unbeaten for the second time ever. Funds raised from the Cure Bowl directly benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
10 | Liberty Athletics
2020-21 Annual Report | 11
FOOTBALL SEASON RECAP
17 18 2 8 1 33 12 | Liberty Athletics
RANKED NO. 17 IN AP TOP 25 POLL
RANKED NO. 18 IN THE AMWAY COACHES POLL
TWO WINS OVER ACC OPPONENTS, THE FIRST NON POWER 5 SCHOOL TO DO IN A SEASON SINCE 2015
LIBERTY STARTED 8-0, THE BEST START IN SCHOOL HISTORY
FIRST-EVER WIN OVER A TOP-25 FBS PROGRAM
INDIVIDUAL POSTSEASON HONORS RECEIVED
2020-21 Annual Report | 13
2021 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
2022 SCHEDULE AWAY HOME
14 | Liberty Athletics
2023 SCHEDULE
SOUTHERN MISS
GARDNER-WEBB
BOWLING GREEN
VIRGINIA
SEPT. 3
OCT. 15
SEPT. 2
OCT. 14
UAB
BYU
COASTAL CAROLINA
ETSU
SEPT. 10
OCT. 22
SEPT. 9
OCT. 28
WAKE FOREST
ARKANSAS
BUFFALO
SOUTH CAROLINA
SEPT. 17
NOV. 5
SEPT. 16
NOV. 4
AKRON
UCONN
EASTERN MICHIGAN
UCONN
SEPT. 24
NOV. 12
SEPT. 23
NOV. 11
OLD DOMINION
VIRGINIA TECH
OLD DOMINION
UMASS
OCT. 1
NOV. 19
SEPT. 30
NOV. 18
UMASS
NEW MEXICO STATE
MIAMI (OHIO)
NEW MEXICO STATE
OCT. 8
NOV. 26
OCT. 7
NOV. 25
FBS OPPONENTS
40+ 22
DIFFERENT FBS OPPONENTS
DIFFERENT STATES
MAP INCLUDES FBS OPPONENTS SINCE 2017, PLUS ALL FUTURE FBS OPPONENTS
8
FBS CONFERENCES
2020-21 Annual Report | 15
CAMPAIGN
LIBERTY ATHLETICS STANDS COMMITTED TO THE MISSION OF TRAINING CHAMPIONS FOR CHRIST, WHO WILL BE LEADERS IN CREATING POSITIVE CHANGE IN OUR GREAT COUNTRY. AS PART OF THIS COMMITMENT, LIBERTY ATHLETICS HAS LAUNCHED THE #CREATEDEQUALLY INITIATIVE. THIS EFFORT IS TO UNITE THE DEPARTMENT AND FLAMES NATION AROUND A SHARED COMMITMENT OF LOVE, EQUALITY AND UNITY. THE #CREATEDEQUALLY CAMPAIGN IS BASED UPON THE BIBLICAL VERSE OF ACTS 17:26 “FROM ONE MAN HE MADE ALL THE NATIONS, THAT THEY SHOULD INHABIT THE WHOLE EARTH; AND HE MARKED OUT THEIR APPOINTED TIMES IN HISTORY AND THE BOUNDARIES OF THEIR LANDS.” DURING THE 2020-21 ATHLETICS SEASON, LIBERTY’S STUDENT-ATHLETES WILL WEAR #CREATEDEQUALLY DECALS AND PATCHES ON THEIR UNIFORMS. THE #CREATEDEQUALLY LOGO DEBUTED ON HELMET DECALS IN LIBERTY’S NATIONALLY TELEVISED FOOTBALL GAME ON ESPNU AT WESTERN KENTUCKY, SEPT. 19.
16 | Liberty Athletics
2020-21 Annual Report | 17
PROJECTS FUNDED THROUGH THE FLAMES CLUB LIBERTY INDOOR TENNIS CENTER: $3 MILLION DOLLAR GIFT EAST CAMPUS FIELDS VIDEO BOARDS
The Flames Club is directly linked to the performance of Liberty University Athletics and is the channel through which Flames Nation (fans, ticket buyers, students, alumni, former student-athletes parents, families, and local businesses) can invest in the success of the athletics program. The mission of the Flames Club is to raise financial support for Liberty University Athletics and ensure that our coaches and student-athletes have everything they need to compete at the championship level. Members enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that their gifts are more than monetary contributions-they are truly investments in the lives of our student-athletes. These gifts help to provide our student-athletes with the academic foundation, athletic discipline, and spiritual training needed to make an eternal impact in their post-Liberty careers. Flames Club members can also be rewarded with preferred parking, seating, and hospitality privileges (based upon membership level).
2M
$
LIBERTY ATHLETICS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF $2,022,182 IN DONATIONS FOR 2020-21, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH CAME THROUGH THE ANNUAL FUND
3,211 MEMBERS 49 16TH
53% YEAR INCREASE IN FLAMES CLUB MEMBERS (3,211)
STATES REPRESENTED CONSECUTIVE YEAR OF RECORD ANNUAL FUND GROWTH
GIVING DAY NOV. 17, 2020
WITH THE HELP OF THE FULL ATHLETIC STAFF, ATHLETICS TOOK PART FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE ANNUAL LIBERTY UNIVERSITY GIVING DAY.
$355,666.18 AMOUNT RAISED
3,207 GIFTS RECEIVED
18 | Liberty Athletics
SUPER SPRING SUCCESS 10 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS | 69.8 WINNING PERCENTAGE | 10 NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES | 5 NATIONALLY RANKED TEAMS 4 NCAA TOURNAMENT WINS | 34 WEEKS WITH TEAMS IN THE NATIONAL POLLS | 12 WINS OVER NATIONALLY RANKED OPPONENTS 16 WINS OVER POWER 5 TEAMS | 14-12 RECORD AGAINST ACC OPPONENTS | RANKED NO. 70 IN LEARFIELD DIRECTOR’S CUP
2020-21 Annual Report | 19
SWIMMING & DIVING
MEN’S BASKETBALL
3-0 RECORD WON 2020 CCSA CHAMPIONSHIP
23-6 RECORD WON 2021 ASUN CHAMPIONSHIP
20 | Liberty Athletics
WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
WOMEN’S SOCCER
RACE TO FIRST WON ITS FIRST EVER ASUN CHAMPIONSHIP
7-6-5 RECORD WON 2021 ASUN CHAMPIONSHIP
2020-21 Annual Report | 21
GOLF
MEN’S TENNIS
RANKED NO. 18 IN THE NATION WON 2021 ASUN CHAMPIONSHIP AND WON THE NCAA TALLAHASSEE REGIONAL
20-7 RECORD WON 2021 ASUN CHAMPIONSHIP
22 | Liberty Athletics
SOFTBALL
MEN’S & WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD
44-15 RECORD WON ITS FIRST EVER ASUN CHAMPIONSHIP
ASUN SWEEP SWEPT THE ASUN OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP
2020-21 Annual Report | 23
2020-21 YEAR IN REVIEW OCTOBER 17, 2020
LIBERTY FOOTBALL EARNS ITS FIRST-EVER WIN OVER AN ACC FOE, ROLLING TO A 38-21 ROAD VICTORY AT SYRACUSE AND IMPROVING TO 5-0 ON THE YEAR.
NOVEMBER 7, 2020
LIBERTY FOOTBALL SENIOR ALEX BARBIR MAKES A 51-YARD FIELD GOAL WITH ONE SECOND LEFT IN THE GAME, GIVING NO. 25 LIBERTY A MONUMENTAL 3835 WIN AT VIRGINIA TECH.
NOVEMBER 8, 2020
DECEMBER 26, 2020
JANUARY 22, 2021
LIBERTY FOOTBALL MOVES INTO BOTH TOP 25 POLLS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN PROGRAM HISTORY, EARNING A NO. 22 RANKING IN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS POLL AND A NO. 22 RANKING IN THE AMWAY COACHES POLL.
FEBRUARY 13, 2021 DECEMBER 1, 2020
24 | Liberty Athletics
THE LIBERTY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM BESTS NORFOLK STATE 76-53 IN THE INAUGURAL GAME IN LIBERTY ARENA. BOTH THE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (12-0 RECORD) AND MEN’S BASKETBALL (13-0) PROGRAMS GO ON TO POST UNBEATEN RECORDS IN THEIR FIRST SEASONS IN THE NEW BUILDING.
LIBERTY FOOTBALL WINS ITS SECOND STRAIGHT FBC MORTGAGE CURE BOWL IN THRILLING FASHION, DEFEATING NO. 9/11 COASTAL CAROLINA 37-34 IN OVERTIME FOR ITS FIRST-EVER WIN OVER AN FBS TOP 25 PROGRAM. LIBERTY VOLLEYBALL PLAYS ITS FIRST MATCH AGAINST VCU IN THE NEW LIBERTY ARENA, WHICH FEATURES A BRANDNEW TARAFLEX SURFACE THAT IS USED BY A MAJORITY OF POWER FIVE PROGRAMS AND THE ONE UTILIZED FOR THE NCAA DIVISION I WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP REGION AND FINAL FOUR ROUNDS.
LIBERTY WOMEN’S TENNIS SWEEPS A HOME DOUBLEHEADER WITH DAVIDSON (7-0 FINAL) AND TOWSON (6-1 FINAL) IN THE FIRST TWO MATCHES AT THE NEW LIBERTY INDOOR TENNIS CENTER.
FEBRUARY 17, 2021
THE LIBERTY SWIMMING & DIVING TEAM FINISHES AS COCHAMPION AT THE 2021 CCSA WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIP AT LIBERTY NATATORIUM, ITS FOURTH CCSA TITLE IN PROGRAM HISTORY AND THIRD IN A ROW.
FEBRUARY 25, 2021
LIBERTY MEN’S SOCCER DEFEATS NORTH CAROLINA 1-0 ON THE ROAD, EARNING ITS FIRST-EVER VICTORY OVER THE TAR HEELS.
FEBRUARY 27, 2021
THE LIBERTY MEN’S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD SQUAD CLAIMS THE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP ON ITS HOME TRACK AT THE 2021 TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS, WINNING THE ASUN TITLE FOR A THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR.
MARCH 5, 2021
THE LIBERTY WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY SQUAD WINS ITS FIRST ASUN CONFERENCE TEAM TITLE IN DOMINATING FASHION, MATCHING THE LOWEST WINNING SCORE IN MEET HISTORY WITH 19 POINTS.
MARCH 7, 2021
LIBERTY MEN’S BASKETBALL TOPS NORTH ALABAMA 79-75 IN THE ASUN CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE GAME, GIVING THE FLAMES THEIR THIRD STRAIGHT ASUN TITLE AND A BERTH IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT.
2020-21 YEAR IN REVIEW MARCH 14, 2021
THE LIBERTY FIELD HOCKEY SQUAD EARNS ITS FIRST-EVER WIN OVER THE CONNECTICUT HUSKIES BY A 4-0 SCORE, GIVING UCONN ITS FIRST LOSS IN CONFERENCE PLAY SINCE 2013.
MARCH 15, 2021
THE LIBERTY WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM BECOMES THE FIRST FLAMES CROSS COUNTRY TEAM (MEN’S OR WOMEN’S) TO COMPETE AT THE NCAA DIVISION I CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, FINISHING IN 26TH PLACE AT THE EVENT HELD AT THE OKLAHOMA STATE CROSS COUNTRY COURSE.
APRIL 20, 2021
THE 13TH-RANKED LIBERTY GOLF TEAM RECORDS THE LOWEST 54-HOLE TEAM SCORE IN AN ASUN CHAMPIONSHIP AND WINS ITS FIRST ASUN TITLE BY 13 STROKES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA GOLF COURSE.
APRIL 24, 2021
LIBERTY MEN’S TENNIS SECURES ITS FIRST CONFERENCE TITLE IN SCHOOL HISTORY AND SCHOOLRECORD 20TH WIN OF THE YEAR BY DEFEATING FGCU 4-0 IN THE ASUN MEN’S TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE MATCH.
MAY 6, 2021 MARCH 23, 2021
APRIL 17, 2021
THE LIBERTY FIELD HOCKEY PROGRAM EARNS A NO. 4 NATIONAL RANKING IN THE PENN MONTO/NFHCA DIVISION I NATIONAL COACHES POLL, THE BEST RANKING OF ANY LIBERTY SPORT AT THE NCAA DIVISION I LEVEL. MCKINLEY BURKETT SCORES ON A PENALTY KICK IN THE 100TH MINUTE, GIVING LIBERTY WOMEN’S SOCCER A 1-0 OVERTIME VICTORY OVER KENNESAW STATE IN THE ASUN TITLE GAME, THE LADY FLAMES’ FIRST ASUN TITLE.
MAY 15, 2021
MAY 15, 2021
LIBERTY WOMEN’S LACROSSE ADVANCES TO ITS SECOND STRAIGHT ASUN TITLE GAME WITH A 23-11 WIN OVER HOST KENNESAW STATE IN THE SEMIFINAL ROUND. LIBERTY SOFTBALL CLAIMS ITS FOURTH CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT TITLE IN PROGRAM HISTORY, DEFEATING HOST KENNESAW STATE 5-4 IN THE TITLE GAME OF THE 2021 ASUN CHAMPIONSHIP. THE LIBERTY WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD TEAM WINS THE TEAM TITLE AT THE ASUN OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS, SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDING ITS CROWN FROM 2019 AND CAPTURING ITS SIXTH CONSECUTIVE OUTDOOR CONFERENCE TITLE OVERALL.
MAY 15, 2021
THE LIBERTY MEN’S TRACK & FIELD SQUAD CLAIMS THE TEAM TITLE AT THE ASUN OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS, GIVING THE FLAMES 29 STRAIGHT TITLES BETWEEN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP MEETS.
MAY 19, 2021
LIBERTY GOLF SECURES A RETURN TRIP TO THE NCAA MEN’S GOLF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BY PLACING FOURTH AT THE NCAA TALLAHASSEE REGIONAL.
MAY 22, 2021
LIBERTY SOFTBALL COMES BACK TO DEFEAT NO. 9 NATIONAL SEED TENNESSEE 6-4 AT THE KNOXVILLE REGIONAL, ELIMINATING THE LADY VOLS AND SENDING THE LADY FLAMES TO THEIR SECOND REGIONAL FINAL IN SCHOOL HISTORY.
JUNE 6, 2021
LIBERTY BASEBALL ELIMINATES NO. 19 DUKE AT THE 2021 KNOXVILLE REGIONAL, SENDING THE FLAMES TO THEIR SECOND REGIONAL FINAL IN PROGRAM HISTORY AND FIRST SINCE 2013.
2020-21 Annual Report | 25
2020-21 YEAR IN REVIEW The 2020-21 athletic year was the best in Liberty Athletics department history. The Flames tied a department record with 10 conference titles, including ASUN championships in softball, women’s soccer, women’s cross country, women’s outdoor track & field, men’s basketball, men’s golf, men’s indoor track & field, men’s outdoor track & field and men’s tennis and a CCSA title in women’s swimming & diving. Additionally, football became the second team in NCAA history to win back-toback bowl games during its first two full seasons at the FBS level, successfully defending its Cure Bowl title. Liberty football went 10-1 overall and finished the season ranked No. 17 in FBS Football.
FOOTBALL The Flames finished 10-1, matching the program record for victories in a season. Liberty recorded its first-ever win over an ACC program (Syracuse), its first win over Virginia Tech and its first triumph over an FBS Top 25 opponent (No. 9/11 Coastal Carolina in the Cure Bowl). As a result, the Flames finished the season ranked No. 17 nationally. VOLLEYBALL A youthful Lady Flames team placed two players (Lydia Burts and Trinity Watts) on the ASUN All-Freshman Team. Burts, a second team All-ASUN honoree, was the first Liberty freshman since 2016 to earn all-conference honors. MEN’S SOCCER Liberty finished 7-3-2, headlined by its first-ever win over North Carolina, a victory over No. 21 Coastal Carolina and a defeat of Big South champion High Point. The Flames earned their first-ever national ranking, reaching as high as No. 15 during the season. WOMEN’S SOCCER The Lady Flames used an improbable run of four wins in 11 days, including victories over both No. 1 seeds (Lipscomb and North Florida), to capture their first ASUN title. As a result, Liberty made its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2016. FIELD HOCKEY The Lady Flames finished 13-3, highlighted by their first-ever victories over NCAA Tournament qualifier UConn and No. 12 Duke. Liberty was ranked No. 4 nationally on March 23, representing the highest national ranking by any Liberty program at the NCAA Division I level. CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK & FIELD The women’s cross country team qualified for the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships for the first time, placing 26th nationally. Liberty captured four ASUN Conference titles, including women’s cross country, men’s indoor track & field and a sweep of the men’s and women’s outdoor track & field championships.
26 | Liberty Athletics
2020-21 YEAR IN REVIEW MEN’S BASKETBALL The Flames finished 23-6, capturing their first outright ASUN regular-season title and cutting down the nets as ASUN Tournament champions for the third year in a row. Liberty extended its home winning streak to 36 games and also posted victories over Mississippi State and South Carolina away from Lynchburg. WOMEN’S BASKETBALL The 19-8 Lady Flames posted their best ASUN regular-season record (12-4) and qualified for the ASUN Tournament title game for the third consecutive year. The Lady Flames went 12-0 during their inaugural season at Liberty Arena, pushing their overall home winning streak to 17. SWIMMING & DIVING Hosting the CCSA Swimming & Diving Championship, Liberty finished in a first-place tie with FGCU to capture its third consecutive conference title. Payton Keiner qualified for the NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming & Diving Championship for the third time in her career. MEN’S TENNIS The Flames enjoyed a history-making season, winning a program-record 20 matches capped off by a victory in the ASUN title match for their first-ever conference title. Liberty also achieved its first national ranking, reaching No. 39 in the year-end listing. WOMEN’S TENNIS The Lady Flames went 18-7, tying for the second most victories in program history. Liberty went a perfect 6-0 in conference play, earning the ASUN North Division’s top seed. Individually, Esther Lovato finished the season with a 23-1 singles record. LACROSSE Liberty reached the ASUN Championship final for the second time in as many seasons. The Lady Flames went 10-9 against a schedule that included seven nationally ranked opponents and boasted a league-high 14 All-ASUN honorees. MEN’S GOLF The Flames qualified for the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf National Championship for the third time in program history, finishing in 21st place. Liberty also claimed its first ASUN championship in record fashion, posting the lowest 54-hole team score (20-under par 832) in tournament history. BASEBALL Liberty finished the season at 41-16, capturing the ASUN North Division title with a 19-2 conference record and advancing to the ASUN Championship title game. The Flames earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, where they advanced to the regional final for the second time in program history. SOFTBALL The Lady Flames claimed their first ASUN Championship title to qualify for their fourth NCAA Division I Softball Championship appearance in program history. For the second time, the Lady Flames advanced to the NCAA regional final round. Liberty also cracked the national Top 25 polls for the first time ever, topping out at No. 24.
2020-21 Annual Report | 27
PLAYER & COACHES HONORS MEN’S BASKETBALL
GOLF
BLAKE PRESTON: ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
OF THE YEAR, ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM,
OF THE YEAR, ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM,
ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM, GCAA/PING
ASUN WINTER WINNER FOR LIFE TEAM
ALL-REGION, VASID ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM, SRIXON/CLEVELAND GOLF ALL-AMERICA
DARIUS MCGHEE: ASUN PLAYER OF THE
SCHOLAR, VASID ACADEMIC ALL-STATE,
YEAR, ASUN TOURNAMENT MVP, ASUN ALL-
VASID ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM, VASID ALL-
TOURNAMENT TEAM, ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM,
STATE SECOND TEAM
LOU HENSON ALL-AMERICA TEAM, NABC
ALEXANDRE FUCHS: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, GCAA/PING ALL-REGION, SRIXON/ CLEVELAND GOLF ALL-AMERICA SCHOLAR,
DISTRICT 3 FIRST TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM RITCHIE MCKAY: ASUN COACH OF THE YEAR,
VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM
NABC DISTRICT 3 COACH OF THE YEAR CHRIS PARKER: ASUN ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
CONNOR POLENDER: SRIXON/CLEVELAND GOLF ALL-AMERICA SCHOLAR
DARIUS MCGHEE, MEN’S BASKETBALL
KIERAN VINCENT: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, ASUN SPRING WINNER FOR LIFE, FRED HASKINS AWARD WATCH LIST, GCAA/PING ALL-REGION, GOLFWEEK ALL-AMERICA THIRD TEAM, PING ALL-AMERICA SECOND TEAM, ROCK ROYER/MAC RIVERA AWARD, VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM, VASID
KYLE RODE: ASUN ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
ASHTYN BAKER: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM MYA BERKMAN: ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
GOLFER OF THE YEAR
EMILY LYTLE: VASID ALL-STATE SECOND
JONATHAN YAUN: ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM, GCAA/PING ALL-REGION, SRIXON/ CLEVELAND GOLF ALL-AMERICA SCHOLAR, VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM
TEAM, ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM BELLA SMUDA: ASUN ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
VOLLEYBALL
LYDIA BURTS: ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM,
MEN’S TENNIS
VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM, ASUN ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM RAJINI FITZMAURICE: VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM
WOMEN’S TENNIS
ERVIN CHANG: ASUN SCHOLAR ATHLETE
ELIJAH CUFFEE: ASUN DEFENSIVE PLAYER
EMILY LYTLE, WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
RAFAEL MARQUES DA SILVA: ASUN CHAMPIONSHIP MVP, ASUN ALLTOURNAMENT TEAM, ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE SINGLES FIRST TEAM NICAISE MUAMBA: ASUN PLAYER OF THE
TRINITY WATTS: VASID ALL-STATE SECOND
YEAR, ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, VASID ALL-
TEAM, ASUN ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
STATE SINGLES FIRST TEAM STEVE MUNDT: ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
ALEXANDRA ALMBORG: ALL-ASUN FIRST
DEREK SCHWANDT: ASUN COACH OF THE
TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE DOUBLES SECOND TEAM
YEAR
GRACE HASHIGUCHI: ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC
DEJI THOMAS-SMITH: ASUN ALLTOURNAMENT TEAM, ASUN DOUBLES PAIR
TEAM
OF THE YEAR, ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, VASID
ESTHER LOVATO: ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM,
ALL-STATE SINGLES SECOND TEAM, VASID
VASID ALL-STATE SINGLES SECOND TEAM
ALL-STATE DOUBLES SECOND TEAM
TIFFANY NGUYEN: ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM
JOSH WILSON: ASUN SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF
ELOISE SARATY: VASID ALL-STATE DOUBLES SECOND TEAM
THE YEAR, ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM, ASUN NICAISE MUAMBA, MEN’S TENNIS
ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM, VASID ACADEMIC ALL-STATE TEAM CHRISTIAAN WORST: ASUN DOUBLES PAIR
28 | Liberty Athletics
OF THE YEAR, VASID ALL-STATE DOUBLES SECOND TEAM
PLAYER & COACHES HONORS WOMEN’S SOCCER
BASEBALL
MCKINLEY BURKETT: ASUN ALLTOURNAMENT TEAM, ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM
ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM, COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN, COSIDA
RACHEL DERUBY: ASUN ALL-FRESHMEN
DISTRICT 3 ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM,
TEAM
VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM
CORA DUININCK: ASUN TOURNAMENT MVP, UNITED SOCCER COACHES THIRD TEAM ALL-REGION, ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM
GRAY BETTS: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE ACADEMIC TEAM, COSIDA DISTRICT 3 ALLACADEMIC FIRST TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE
KASEY JAMIESON: ASUN SCHOLAR ATHLETE
FIRST TEAM
OF THE YEAR, ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM
TREVOR DELAITE: ACBA THIRD TEAM
MELODY JAYROE: ASUN ALL-TOURNAMENT
ALL-AMERICAN, COLLEGIATE BASEBALL
TEAM MEREDITH KING: ASUN FRESHMAN OF THE
THIRD TEAM ALL-AMERICAN, COLLEGIATE CORA DUININCK, WOMEN’S SOCCER
BASEBALL NATIONAL PITCHER OF THE
YEAR, ASUN ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
YEAR FINALIST, ACBA FIRST TEAM ALL-
SOPHIA PALLADINO: ASUN ALL-FRESHMEN
ATLANTIC REGION, ASUN PITCHER OF
TEAM
THE YEAR, ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, VASID PITCHER OF THE YEAR, VASID ALL-STATE
LANG WEDEMEYER: ASUN COACH OF THE
FIELD HOKCEY
AARON ANDERSON: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM,
FIRST TEAM
YEAR JILL BOLTON: ALL-BIG EAST FIRST TEAM,
FRASER ELLARD: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM
VASID OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR,
TREY GIBSON: COLLEGIATE BASEBALL
VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM, NFCHA ALL-
FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICAN, ASUN
SOUTH REGION FIRST TEAM, NFCHA ALL-
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR, ALL-ASUN
AMERICA FIRST TEAM
SECOND TEAM, PERFECT GAME ALL-
JODIE CONOLLY: ALL-BIG EAST FIRST TEAM,
AMERICAN, D1BASEBALL.COM FRESHMAN
VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM, NFCHA ALL-
ALL-AMERICAN, VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM
SOUTH REGION SECOND TEAM BETHANY DYKEMA: ALL-BIG EAST SECOND
JILL BOLTON, FIELD HOCKEY
BRAD GULAKOWSKI: ALL-ASUN SECOND
TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM,
TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM
NFCHA ALL-SOUTH REGION SECOND TEAM
SCOTT JACKSON: ASUN COACH OF THE YEAR
AZUL IRIXITY IRIGOYEN: BIG EAST
CAM LOCKLEAR: ASUN DEFENSIVE PLAYER
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR, BIG EAST
OF THE YEAR, ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM,
CO-FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR, ALL-BIG EAST
VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM
FIRST TEAM, VASID DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF
TREY MCDYRE: ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM,
THE YEAR, VASID CO-ROOKIE OF THE YEAR,
COSIDA DISTRICT 3 ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST
VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM
TEAM
COACHING STAFF: BIG EAST COACHING
WILL WAGNER: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM,
STAFF OF THE YEAR
VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM
DANIELLA RHODES: ALL-BIG EAST FIRST TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM, NFCHA ALL-SOUTH REGION FIRST TEAM ACADEMIC ALL-STATE TEAM
TREY GIBSON, BASEBALL
REAGAN UNDERWOOD: BIG EAST ALLTOURNAMENT TEAM CHARLOTTE VAANHOLD: ALL-BIG EAST FIRST TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM, NFCHA ALL-SOUTH REGION SECOND TEAM
2020-21 Annual Report | 29
PLAYER & COACHES HONORS LACROSSE
CROSS COUNTRY
JORDAN BAERGA: ALL-ASUN FRESHMAN TEAM TORI BANKS: ALL-ASUN FRESHMAN TEAM
CALLI DOAN: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, ASUN
ASUN ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM, VASID ALL-
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR, ASUN
STATE FIRST TEAM
ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM, USTFCCCA ALL-
MIKAYLA COGHILL: ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM
ACADEMIC TEAM, VASID ACADEMIC ALL-
ANDREA COLAVITO: ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC
STATE TEAM
TEAM
RYAN DREW: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM
ALEXA EVERNHAM: ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM
GRACE DWYER: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, BROOKE BRYAN, LACROSSE
ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM, USTFCCCA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
OLIVIA GLAZE: ALL-ASUN FRESHMAN TEAM
KYLE HARKABUS: ASUN ALL-FRESHMAN
MACKENZIE LEHMAN: ASUN FRESHMAN OF
TEAM
THE YEAR, ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM, ALL-
ANNA HOSTETLER: ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC
ASUN FRESHMAN TEAM
TEAM
LEAH RUBY: ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM
MARIE HOSTETLER: ASUN ALL-FRESHMAN
JORDAN SHEIVE: ALL-ASUN FRESHMAN TEAM
TEAM, USTFCCCA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
JENNIFER SORIERO: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM,
RACHEL JOHNSON: ASUN WOMEN’S COACH
ASUN ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
OF THE YEAR
SARAH STEENSON: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM,
PRISCILLAH KIPLAGAT: ALL-ASUN FIRST
VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM
TEAM
MIA TOSCANO: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM
KIPRUTO KOGEI: ASUN ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM GABE FINDLEY, MEN’S SOCCER
NOEL PALMER: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, ASUN
CARLY WHITE: ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM,
ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM, USTFCCCA ALL-
ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM, ASUN ALL-
ACADEMIC TEAM
TOURNAMENT TEAM
MEN’S SOCCER
ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM TEAM
BROOKE BRYAN: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM,
TEAM
YEAR, ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, USTFCCCA EMMA BOWER: USTFCCCA ALL-ACADEMIC
CLAIRE BRATCHIE: ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM
GRACE FLETCHER: ALL-ASUN ACADEMIC
ADELYN ACKLEY: ASUN RUNNER OF THE
JOE SPITZER: ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
DANNY CORDERO: ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM SETH CLARK: ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM GABE FINDLEY: ASUN FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR MARKO MITREVSKI: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM MUSA MORRIS: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM, COSIDA ALLDISTRICT ACADEMIC TEAM, VASID ALLSTATE FIRST TEAM MALIK SMITH: ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM, COSIDA ALL-DISTRICT ACADEMIC TEAM,
30 | Liberty Athletics ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
ADELYN ACKLEY, CROSS COUNTRY
PLAYER & COACHES HONORS SWIMMING & DIVING
OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD
LAUREN CHENNAULT: CCSA ALLCONFERENCE, VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM
VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM, USTFCCCA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
LINDSEY COHEE: CCSA ALL-CONFERENCE,
SAMUEL ARTER: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM,
VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM
ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM, USTFCCCA
MADDIE FREECE: CCSA ALL-CONFERENCE, CCSA WOMEN’S DIVER OF THE YEAR, CCSA MOST OUTSTANDING DIVER OF CHAMPIONSHIP, VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM, VASID CO-ROOKIE DIVER OF THE YEAR
ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
CHLOE HARRIS: CCSA ALL-CONFERENCE
JOSE BALLIVIAN: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM
JOVAINE ATKINSON: ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM, USTFCCCA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM, COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT
EMMA HAZEL: CCSA ALL-CONFERENCE MIKAYLA HERICH: CCSA MOST OUTSTANDING
WARREN BARRETT: USTFCCCA ALLAUTUMN BISHOP, SOFTBALL
ACADEMIC TEAM
SWIMMER, CCSA ALL-CONFERENCE
LANCE BINGHAM: ASUN MEN’S AND
PAYTON KEINER: CCSA ALL-CONFERENCE,
WOMEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR, VASID
VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM
STATE MEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR
CHLOE RIPPEY: CCSA ALL-CONFERENCE
BRITTANY CARNATHAN: ASUN ALLACADEMIC TEAM
OLIVIA ROBINSON: CCSA ALL-CONFERENCE
QUIENTEN CLAY: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM,
JESSICA SCHELLENBOOM: CCSA ALL-
ASUN MEN’S MOST OUTSTANDING
CONFERENCE
FRESHMAN
ABBY STROHMEIER: CCSA ALL-CONFERENCE
CALLI DOAN: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, ASUN
EVA SUGGS: CCSA ALL-CONFERENCE
SOFTBALL
ADELYN ACKLEY: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM,
ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM, USTFCCCA ALLACADEMIC TEAM, COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-
AMBER BISHOP-RILEY: ASUN PLAYER OF THE
DISTRICT
YEAR, ASUN CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR, ASUN TOURNAMENT MVP, ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, NFCA ALL-REGION THIRD
RYAN DREW: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM MADDIE FREECE, SWIMMING & DIVING
GRACE DWYER: ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM
MEREDITH ENGLE: USTFCCCA ALL-ACADEMIC
AUTUMN BISHOP: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM,
TEAM
VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM
STUART FOLKERTS: ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC
KARA CANETTO: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM
TEAM
SAVANNAH CHANNELL: ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM, ASUN ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
JUAN PABLO GERMAIN RONCO: USTFCCCA
KARLIE KEENEY: ASUN ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM, ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM
KALI GRAYSON: USTFCCCA ALL-ACADEMIC
ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM TEAM DIAMANTAE GRIFFIN: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM,
EMILY KIRBY: ASUN PITCHER OF THE YEAR,
ASUN MOST VALUABLE MALE PERFORMER,
ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, NFCA ALL-REGION
VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM
THIRD TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM DOT RICHARDSON: ASUN COACH OF THE YEAR EMILY SWEAT: ALL-ASUN SECOND TEAM
ALEXANDRA ALMBORG, WOMEN’S TENNIS
MACKENZIE HAINLEY: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM, USTFCCCA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
2020-21 Annual Report | 31
PLAYER & COACHES HONORS OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD
FOOTBALL
JOHN HICKS: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, USTFCCCA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
ANTHONY BUTLER: PHIL STEELE
ANNA HOSTETLER: USTFCCCA ALL-
POSTSEASON ALL-INDEPENDENT FIRST
ACADEMIC TEAM
TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM
MARIE HOSTETLER: USTFCCCA ALL-
TRESHAUN CLARK: PHIL STEELE
ACADEMIC TEAM
POSTSEASON ALL-INDEPENDENT FIRST
CHELSEA IGBERAESE: ALL-ASUN FIRST
TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM
TEAM, ASUN MOST VALUABLE FEMALE
DEMARIO DOUGLAS: PHIL STEELE
PERFORMER, ASUN WOMEN’S MOST
POSTSEASON ALL-INDEPENDENT SECOND
OUTSTANDING FIELD PERFORMER, VASID
TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM,
ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM, USTFCCCA ALLDIAMANTE GRIFFIN, TRACK & FIELD
ANDERS JAMES: USTFCCCA ALL-ACADEMIC
FWAA FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICA TEAM, TOUCHDOWN CLUB OF RICHMOND AWARDS SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR
TEAM
HUGH FREEZE: GEORGE MUNGER COACH OF
FELIX KANDIE: USTFCCCA ALL-AMERICA SECOND TEAM, ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM,
THE YEAR FINALIST
VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM
MARCUS HASKINS: PHIL STEELE
TAYLEN LANGIN: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM,
POSTSEASON ALL-INDEPENDENT SECOND
ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM, USTFCCCA
TEAM
ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
JOHNNY HUNTLEY: PHIL STEELE
FELIX LAWRENCE: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM,
POSTSEASON ALL-INDEPENDENT SECOND
VASID STATE MEN’S TRACK ROOKIE OF THE
TEAM
YEAR, USTFCCCA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
ELIJAH JAMES: ASSOCIATED PRESS ALL-
RACHEL MILNES: USTFCCCA ALL-ACADEMIC
BOWL TEAM
TEAM KYLE MITCHELL: USTFCCCA ALL-AMERICA
CHELSEA IGBERAESE, TRACK & FIELD
DURRELL JOHNSON: PHIL STEELE POSTSEASON ALL-AMERICAN FOURTH
SECOND TEAM, ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM,
TEAM. PHIL STEELE POSTSEASON ALL-
ASUN MEN’S MOST OUTSTANDING FIELD
INDEPENDENT FIRST TEAM, VASID ALL-
PERFORMER, VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM
STATE FIRST TEAM
MAKENZY MIZERA: VASID ALL-STATE FIRST
SHEDRO LOUIS: PHIL STEELE POSTSEASON
TEAM, USTFCCCA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
ALL-INDEPENDENT SECOND TEAM
NAOMI MOJICA: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM
JOSHUA MACK: PHIL STEELE POSTSEASON
NOEL PALMER: ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM,
ALL-INDEPENDENT FIRST TEAM, VASID ALL-
USTFCCCA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM, COSIDA
STATE SECOND TEAM
ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT
COOPER MCCAW: PHIL STEELE POSTSEASON
ABBY PANTLITZ: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM,
ALL-INDEPENDENT SECOND TEAM
ASUN WOMEN’S MOST OUTSTANDING
THOMAS SARGEANT: PHIL STEELE
FRESHMAN GABRIEL WILLIS: USTFCCCA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
32 | Liberty Athletics
ALL-INDEPENDENT SECOND TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM
LANE HLUCH: ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
ACADEMIC TEAM
ALEX BARBIR: PHIL STEELE POSTSEASON
POSTSEASON ALL-INDEPENDENT FIRST FELIX LAWRENCE, TRACK & FIELD
TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM, COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT
PLAYER & COACHES HONORS FOOTBALL
INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
BRENDAN SCHLITTER: PHIL STEELE POSTSEASON ALL-INDEPENDENT SECOND TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM
ADELYN ACKLEY: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, VASID STATE WOMEN’S TRACK ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM
JAVON SCRUGGS: PHIL STEELE POSTSEASON
NAOMI ARMSTRONG: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM,
ALL-INDEPENDENT FIRST TEAM, VASID ALL-
ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
STATE FIRST TEAM
LANCE BINGHAM: ASUN MEN’S COACH OF
KEVIN SHAA: PHIL STEELE POSTSEASON
THE YEAR, VASID STATE WOMEN’S COACH
ALL-INDEPENDENT SECOND TEAM, VASID
OF THE YEAR
ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM
ANTHONY BRYAN: ALL-ASUN FIRST
DJ STUBBS: PHIL STEELE POSTSEASON ALL-
TEAM, ASUN MEN’S MOST OUTSTANDING
INDEPENDENT FIRST TEAM, VASID ALL-
FRESHMAN, VASID STATE MEN’S FIELD
STATE SECOND TEAM
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
MALIK WILLIS: PHIL STEELE POSTSEASON ALL-AMERICAN HONORABLE MENTION, PHIL
DEMARIO DOUGLAS, FOOTBALL
QUIENTEN CLAY: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, ASUN MOST VALUABLE MALE PERFORMER,
STEELE POSTSEASON ALL-INDEPENDENT
ASUN MEN’S MOST OUTSTANDING FIELD
SECOND TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE
PERFORMER
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR, VASID
CALLI DOAN: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, ASUN
ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM, TOUCHDOWN CLUB
ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
OF RICHMOND AWARDS OFFENSIVE BACK
RYAN DREW: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM
OF THE YEAR, DUDLEY AWARD WINNER, CFPA NATIONAL PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
MEREDITH ENGLE: VASID STATE WOMEN’S
AWARD WATCH LIST, DAVEY O’BRIEN
FIELD ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
NATIONAL QUARTERBACK AWARD WATCH
STUART FOLKERTS: ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC
LIST, MAXWELL AWARD WATCH LIST,
TEAM
DAVEY O’BRIEN AWARD QUARTERBACK
JUAN PABLO GERMAIN RONCO: ASUN ALL-
CLASS OF 2020 MEMBER
ACADEMIC TEAM MALIK WILLIS, FOOTBALL
JOHN HICKS: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM MEGAN HINZMAN: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM CHELSEA IGBERAESE: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, ASUN WOMEN’S MOST OUTSTANDING FIELD PERFORMER, VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM, ANDERS JANES: ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM AYANNA JOHNSON: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM FELIX KANDIE: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM ALLY KIPCHIRCHIR: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM TAYLEN LANGIN: ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM FELIX LAWRENCE: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM CHRISTIAN LYON: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM,
DURRELL JOHNSON, FOOTBALL
VASID ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM
2020-21 Annual Report | 33
PLAYER & COACHES HONORS INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
RACHEL MILNES: ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM MAKENZY MIZERA: ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM TYLER MODRZEJEWSKI: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM NAOMNI MOJICA: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM NOEL PALMER: ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM ABBY PANTLITZ: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM, ASUN MOST VALUABLE FEMALE PERFORMER, ASUN WOMEN’S MOST OUTSTANDING TRACK PERFORMER MICHAEL ROSE: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM ITZEL SANTOS: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM
LYDIA BURTS, VOLLEYBALL
JOE SPITZER: ASUN ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM NOAH TINDALE: ALL-ASUN FIRST TEAM
SARAH STEENSON, LACROSSE
MALIK SMITH, MEN’S SOCCER
34 | Liberty Athletics
PLAYER & COACHES HONORS
2020-21 2020-21 Annual Annual Report Report | 35 | 35
FACILITIES
1.
INDOOR TENNIS FACILITY
COMPLETION DATE: FEBRUARY 2021
The new indoor home of Liberty men’s and women’s tennis, the brand-new Liberty Indoor Tennis Center, officially opened in Feb. 2021. The $5 million project was first announced on Nov. 14, 2019, and construction on the new 48,000-square foot facility began on April 23, 2020. The Liberty Indoor Tennis Center hosted its first matches on Feb. 13, 2021, as the Lady Flames defeated both Davidson (7-0 final) and Towson (6-1 final) on that day. Two days later (Feb. 15), the Flames men’s tennis team defeated William & Mary 5-2 in its first match in the new facility. The facility also held its Dedication Ceremony on Feb. 23, 2021. The facility features six courts and seating for 100 fans. The building also houses locker rooms, a team lounge, a laundry facility and a concessions area.
36 | Liberty Athletics
FACILITIES
2.
LIBERTY ARENA
COMPLETION DATE: DECEMBER 2020
The $65 million, 125,000-square-foot Liberty Arena opened in December 2020 as the new home of the Liberty men’s basketball, women’s basketball and volleyball programs. The 4,000-seat venue features loge and club seating options. Other facility highlights include court projection technology and a Teraflex volleyball playing surface, providing a safe playing surface for the Lady Flames and their opponents and an attractive surface for fans. The Taraflex flooring, which is assembled in sections, is similar to that used by a majority of Power Five programs and the one utilized for the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship Region and Final Four rounds. Liberty is one of only a few programs outside of the Power Five to use a Taraflex flooring system. Thanks to a lead naming gift, the Liberty University Athletics Department announced in August 2020 the court in the new Liberty Arena will be named in memory of Dr. Orville and Florence Hiepler. In March 2019, Orville passed away and son Mark wanted to honor both his parents and their love for Liberty, as well as their heart for ministry, by naming the court in the new Liberty Arena in their memory. Orville and Florence’s grandson Ryan Hiepler was part of the Liberty men’s basketball team from 2015-18.
2020-21 Annual Report | 37
SOCIAL MEDIA LIBERTY BASEBALL | @LIBERTYBASEBALL LIBERTY MEN’S BASKETBALL | TWITTER: @LIBERTYMBB_ INSTAGRAM: @LIBERTYMBB LIBERTY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL | @LIBERTYWBB LIBERTY FIELD HOCKEY | TWITTER: @LIBERTYFH INSTAGRAM: @LIBERTYFIELDHOCKEY LIBERTY FOOTBALL | @LIBERTYFOOTBALL
LIBERTY WOMEN’S SOCCER | @LIBERTYWSOCCER LIBERTY MEN’S TENNIS | TWITTER: @LUMENSTENNIS INSTAGRAM: @LIBERTYMENSTENNIS LIBERTY WOMEN’S TENNIS | @LIBERTYWTENNIS LIBERTY SOFTBALL | TWITTER: @LIBERTYSB @LIBERTY_SB
INSTAGRAM:
LIBERTY GOLF | @LIBERTYGOLF
LIBERTY SWIMMING & DIVING | @LUSWIMDIVE
LIBERTY LACROSSE | @LIBERTYWLAX
LIBERTY CROSS COUNTRY & TRACK & FIELD | TWITTER: @LIBERTY_XCTF INSTAGRAM: @LIBERTYTRACKANDFIELD
LIBERTY MEN’S SOCCER | TWITTER: @LIBERTYSOCCER INSTAGRAM: @LIBERTYMENSSOCCER
38 | Liberty Athletics
LIBERTY VOLLEYBALL | @LIBERTYWVB
LIBERTY FOOTBALL
LIBERTY WOMEN’S SOCCER
LIBERTY FOOTBALL
LIBERTY MEN’S TENNIS
LIBERTY MEN’S BASKETBALL LIBERTY BASEBALL LIBERTY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL LIBERTY SOFTBALL
ACCOUNTS THAT GREW OVER 25% IN FOLLOWERS THROUGHOUT THE 2020-21 ACADEMIC YEAR
LIBERTY GOLF LIBERTY LACROSSE LIBERTY FIELD HOCKEY LIBERTY CROSS COUNTRY/T&F
LIBERTY SOFTBALL
LIBERTY CROSS COUNTRY/T&F
LIBERTY MEN’S SOCCER
LIBERTY CROSS COUNTRY/T&F 2020-21 Annual Report | 39