Freshmen attend first Chancellor’s Cookout event

Liberty’s throng of freshmen assembled at Williams Stadium Thursday evening for the inaugural Chancellor’s Cookout. Hosted by LU’s Athletics Department and the Center for Academic Support and Advising Services (CASAS), the new university tradition introduced incoming students to a multitude of stadium cheers, igniting school spirit days before the start of the 2008-09 academic year.

Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr., Director of Athletics Jeff Barber and Liberty Football Coach Danny Rocco addressed the crowd and encouraged undergraduates to support and promote Liberty’s athletics programs.

“We are excited about a great year for athletics,” said Falwell Jr. “It’s a unique thing here that there is no alcohol at the games, so it’s a great experience for family to come out and bring all ages. That’s not true at all major universities.”

The evening’s festivities included a field goal kick competition, where two freshmen earned the chance to win a new car from Mabry Automotive. After clearing the post from 20 and 30 yards, one student narrowly missed his opportunity for a new set of wheels, coming within inches on a 40-yard attempt.

LU’s Spirit of the Mountain marching band provided the music as Liberty’s volleyball and men’s soccer teams led the supercharged freshmen in the singing of the university’s fight song, “Fan the Flames.”

At the event’s conclusion, the Alumni Association handed out “Red Hot” T-shirts to all newcomers to promote the school’s new spirit initiative.