How God Brought Me to Hydaway

July 22, 2022

Written by Sidney Williamson, Hydaway Outfitter Manager

Four and a half years ago, I was faced with the decision about where I was going to go to school. I visited Liberty during a CFAW weekend, prayed about my decision of which school to choose, and just so happened to stumble upon the Hydaway website around that time. I was immediately sold on going to LU after seeing pictures of the facility and looking at the various activities they offered for students. The main regret I have is not trying to work at Hydaway sooner. I spent my first year at Liberty working in a work-study job at one of the call centers. While I loved the people, the office life just wasn’t for me. I remember applying for a work-study position for Hydaway while in between phone calls at the call center.
Applying to Work at Hydaway
Three years ago, in May 2019, I sent in my application to work at Hydaway. However, my hopes were soon shot down when I received an email saying that all positions had been filled for the upcoming school year. I remember feeling so discouraged, yet hopeful at the same time. I knew God had a plan and … Read More

Bowl with Decorum, Please

July 8, 2022

Written by Abigail Gonzalez, Montview Recreation Manager

So, you fancy yourself a bowler, eh? Before you can truly qualify as such, you must first be made of aware of the do’s and don’ts of every bowling alley facility. Etiquette is both highly valued and immensely appreciated by the upper crust bowling audience and participants, and it is plain shameful to not be well-versed in such societal standards. If you are attempting to climb the ladder of the bowling elite and make a name for yourself among the first-class crowd but possess no real, tangible knowledge of bowling alley decorum, then look no further; this blog is for you.
The Do’s
Becoming a respected member of any bowling alley goes beyond just skill and work ethic. In fact, how well you bowl and how many hours you put into your craft matter not even a smidgen if one does not have proper bowling etiquette. Impressing your peers on the lane can only go so far when you have no respect for their games (or at least, it seems as though you do not because you do not have a well-rounded understanding of how to behave when bowling).
First “do” of the day: give the bowlers … Read More

Safety at the Equestrian Center

June 24, 2022

Written by Kelly Shaw, Farm Management Coordinator

Whether you are visiting, riding, or working with the horses, safety at the Equestrian Center is very important. By following the safety guidelines listed below, you help ensure a great experience for yourself, as well as for our horses. Read on to learn the importance of wearing proper attire, knowing how to read a horse’s body language, and being aware of your own behavior around our equipment and animals.
Wardrobe Etiquette
When visiting the Equestrian Center, you should wear some form of closed-toed shoes. Wearing a pair of boots or closed-toed shoes will also help protect your foot in the event you were to get stepped on. If you are riding during your visit, you need to wear a pair of close-toed boots that will keep your foot from sliding around or out of the stirrups. Riders also must wear riding pants or unripped jeans and a fitted shirt.
Safety in the Barn  
Safety in the barn is important for both us and our horses. Never enter a stall without the explicit permission and supervision of the Equestrian Center staff. Make sure you stay alert, watch your surroundings, and be aware of the horses you are working with. … Read More

Deciphering the Letters and Numbers on Ammo Boxes

June 10, 2022

Written by Josh Bryant, Assistant Director of Programs & Equipment

So, you’re looking for some ammo. Walking into a gun store and seeing shelves with all manner of number and letter combinations can be quite intimidating. We’re going to try to take some of the guess work out of it so you can make a decision with confidence.
Caliber
Generally, the number/word combination with the biggest font will be the caliber. That’s the most important bit of information for which you’re looking. The number denotes the caliber. If you’re not sure which you need, this information should be marked on the barrel and/or slide of the gun. The number is important, but the word after it can be as well. For instance, there is significant difference between .357 Mag and .357 Sig. Most of the time, there is just the one number for caliber. However, sometimes there is another number, such as 7.62×39, 5.56×45, or 9×19. The first number is still the caliber, but the second number denotes the length of the cartridge.
Weight
Oftentimes, you’ll see a two- or three-digit number followed by the letters ‘gr.’ This stands for ‘grain’ and denotes the weight of the projectile. Caliber plays into this equation significantly.
Speed
Sometimes, you’ll find … Read More

Tales from the Lodge

May 13, 2022

Written by Pearson Bonnett, Assistant Director of Lodge Operations

Overlooking Liberty University’s campus from the top of Liberty Mountain, the Barrick-Falwell Lodge hides an avid outdoorsman’s stories of courageous expeditions and frightful encounters. These awe-inspiring tales are concealed in the numerous taxidermies displayed on the walls of the Lodge. Recently, I had the privilege to hear some of the stories from a living legend, Dr. Alan Barrick.
Background of Dr. Alan Barrick
To begin, who is Dr. Alan Barrick? A close friend to Jerry Falwell Sr., Dr. Barrick is a longtime supporter of Liberty’s mission and has donated a large portion of his hunting collection to the university. Dr. Barrick served in the Air Force as a dentist for several years before transitioning his career to a clinic. During this time, he made trips all over the world to hunt some of the world’s most dangerous animals. “Fair chase,” the type of hunting Dr. Barrick preferred, describes hunting big game animals where the hunter does not have an unfair advantage over the animal.
Doctor vs Grizzly
When Dr. Barrick starts a story with “that was a life-or-death situation,” you know things are about to get thrilling. He was hunting in the Cassiar Mountains in Northern British Columbia. … Read More

Pool Safety Tips for Everyone

April 15, 2022

Written by John Bobe, Lifeguard

Safety — when it comes to pools, lakes, beaches or any body of water — is something everyone can and should pay attention too. But how does one stay safe in an atmosphere where there are potential dangers like drowning, slippery surfaces, and even harmful chemicals? Thankfully, there are usually lifeguards in these areas to help keep people safe. However, it is always important for each person to act responsible for the safety of themselves and the people around them. As warmer weather is on the horizon, I wanted to share some tips on what you can do to stay safe, as well as how to react if a dangerous situation were to arise.
How to Avoid the Danger
As a lifeguard we are trained in water rescues and first aid, and we are also trained in preventative measures that we or patrons can take to prevent injuries or drowning. Continue reading for insider info on the tools of the water safety trade.
First, make sure you pay attention to the depth of the pool, especially if you don’t know how to swim or aren’t a very skilled swimmer. Sometimes if we are sitting on the edge of the pool or … Read More

Why You Should Visit the Montview Game Room

April 1, 2022

Written by Noah Trent, Montview Recreation Manager

The Montview Game Room sits on the second floor of Montview Student Union, directly over “Hey Cow!”. It’s one of the few locations on Main Campus where you can relax and enjoy recreational activities provided by Liberty University. This blog will give you a quick rundown of what the Montview Game Room has to offer.

My Personal Experiences

One of my main hobbies since elementary school has been gaming. I’ve played pretty much every genre of game out there, and while I’ve not liked them all, they’ve always provided a way for me to relax and recharge after a stressful day. I’ve spent many hours in the Game Room enjoying the games and challenging random people to different games, both on a screen and off. The Game Room is a great place to meet people and unwind after or during a long day. I’ve made many friends in the Game Room and even met my girlfriend there.

 The Game Room, to me, is a reminder that college is more than just classes. College is a time to figure out who you are and to make connections that you’ll have with you throughout your life. What better way … Read More

If It’s on the Jersey Shore, It’s Not Coming Through the Door

March 11, 2022

Written by Abbey Marrin, Event Manager

Dress code seems to be a controversial topic at Liberty University. In today’s culture, times are changing, and modesty can be seen as subjective. The Liberty Way is updated every now and then, so it can be hard for students to understand why the dress code can’t be more lenient. As a girl who both is asked to enforce dress code but also works out at LaHaye Rec & Fit, I have my own thoughts on the topic of dress code that I wanted to share below.
The Changing Fitness Industry
The fitness industry is changing drastically. I would say that the gym is one of the biggest places for trendsetting. So many brands are changing the colors and cuts of their collections. The gym used to be for jocks and meatheads — a place full of guys in cutoffs and shorts. Women would join group exercise classes rocking leggings and bodysuits that covered their whole body. Now, the trends seem to be cutting off more and more clothing. For example, Gymshark, Halara, and others sell athletic wear that is cropped and form fitting. I believe this change in the athletics industry comes from the body positivity movement … Read More

Concealed Carry Holster Features to Consider

March 3, 2022

Written by John Nelson, Former Range Safety Officer
Many individuals today find themselves going through the process to acquire the necessary permits and equipment to carry a concealed firearm throughout their day-to-day lives. A common tendency is to focus heavily on which firearm is “best” for these purposes, and another critical piece of equipment, the holster, often goes overlooked. Far from being a trivial afterthought, the holster is a piece of gear essential for successful concealment and comfortable carriage of a firearm. This article will cover a number of factors to consider when shopping in the market to aid in finding the best solution to your individual needs!
Holster Material
Holster material is an excellent first criteria to examine. Common options on the market today include Kydex plastic, leather, flexible nylon, and “hybrid” options of the previous materials. There are many good options in existence today, but any holster selected should: be made for your specific firearm (not for all firearms of a certain size), “seal” the trigger guard on all sides so no foreign objects can inadvertently reach and pull the trigger while the firearm is holstered, and offer some degree of positive retention to a holstered gun.
Means of Attachment
The means of attachment … Read More

The Reason for Blanketing Horses

February 4, 2022

Written by Amber Gayheart, Programming Coordinator

When you look at a field filled with horses in the middle of winter, you might notice that some horses are wearing blankets. You may also notice that other horses are not wearing these blankets. At Liberty Mountain Equestrian Center, we have a wide variety of horses with different blanketing needs. Let’s find out the difference and why a horse would need to wear a blanket vs why they wouldn’t.
A Horse’s Natural Coat
Horses are designed to be able to regulate their body temperature in cold and hot weather. In the winter, a horse has the ability to make itself warmer by growing out a fluffy coat. The longer the horse’s hair is, the easier it is for the horse to hold heat between its fur and its skin. Another unique quality that horses have that helps them to stay warm is they huddle together in order to share body heat. Horses are herd animals and, with that, they can share not only body heat but also protection from the elements (rain, wind, predators, etc.).
There are more than a few reasons why we would need to blanket a horse when it is cold outside. Let’s talk about … Read More