Chancellor lauds parkway, Notre Dame win

Liberty News Alert from Liberty Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr.:

Throughout Liberty University’s history, my father would often say publicly that his vision for Liberty was that it would become a world class university for Evangelical Christian young people offering academic excellence in every major field of study, NCAA Division I athletics, and every other service and benefit available at major national universities.

He would use the examples of how Notre Dame and Brigham Young had already become the flagship universities for Catholic and Mormon young people. Dad went further and often spoke fondly of the day that Liberty University would defeat Notre Dame in football and other sports. He truly hoped that he would live long enough to see that day.

Over the last 37 years, Liberty University miraculously achieved most of the lofty goals as envisioned by its founder by becoming the largest evangelical university in the world. But, this week, Liberty University advanced one big step closer to accomplishing one of the more personal athletic goals of my father when it defeated Notre Dame University in baseball. This was Liberty’s first triumph over Notre Dame in a major NCAA team sport and is a milestone for Liberty.

The honor bestowed on my father by Governor Tim Kaine and the Virginia legislature this week in naming Lynchburg’s primary highway route for him is greatly appreciated by the entire family but is even more special to us due to the timing of the event. To have the highway naming occur in the same week that Liberty achieved my father’s number one personal goal for Liberty athletics is a source of great pride for the entire university.

Both events, as reported, follow.

Jerry Falwell, Jr., Chancellor and President

Legislature Honors Jerry Falwell Sr.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine signed legislation late Tuesday naming a section of U.S. 460 in Lynchburg the Jerry Falwell Parkway after Liberty University’s co-founder Jerry Falwell Sr., who died last May at age 73.

The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, pertains to the section of highway between the Monacan Bridge in Lynchburg and Wards Road in Campbell County.

“It is an honor for the family,” Liberty University Chancellor Jerry Falwell said. “It means a lot that even legislators who weren’t in political agreement with my father voted for this. It is very fitting because dad grew up just off the roadway, his brother still lives there and the university is here.”

Gov. Kaine’s press secretary, Gordon Hickey, said Wednesday Kaine recognizes the impact Jerry Falwell Sr. had on the Commonwealth.

“The governor understands that the Rev. Falwell touched tens of thousands of Virginians and so many in the city that it seemed like the right thing to do,” he said.

Flames Down Irish in Season Opener

The Liberty Flames plated four runs in the fourth inning and never looked back in a 6-2, season-opening victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Feb. 22 in the first game of the Clearwater Invitational at Jack Russell Stadium.

Winning in head coach Jim Toman’s coaching debut, the Flames moved to 2-0, after the Liberty Flames moved past the Albany Great Danes, 5-4, Feb. 23 at Jack Russell Stadium.