One Final Skate for Colin Baird

The Liberty men’s hockey team began the 2022 season Sept. 16 with a big 9-3 win over the NC State Icepack. 

Leading this group to a season-opening victory was none other than senior captain Colin Baird. 

In his three seasons at Liberty, Baird has amassed a great deal of individual and team success. Most recently, he was named to the All-AHCA Third Team and the AHCA All-Academic Team. 

Throughout his life, success on the rink has come naturally to Baird. His hockey career began when he was just 5 years old. 

“I grew up with a pond in my backyard,” Baird said. “As soon as it would freeze, I was skating.”

Growing up in Minnesota, Baird would play with the same group of teammates every year. That chemistry led to a great senior campaign at Mounds View High School, a season that he reflects on as one of his favorite years of playing.  

Liberty University took notice of Baird’s high school career and soon recruited the defenseman. Despite other programs actively pushing for him, the Shoreview native was driven to Liberty for a few different reasons.  

“I was super excited about the hockey they had to offer,” Baird said. “Liberty has a good program, a big rink and good fans … (But) what made my decision was the people. I loved all the guys here, and they had a great heart for Lord, and I was attracted to that.”

Reflecting on his time thus far, Colin can recount many incredible memories on the ice.  

One of those moments came in the 2019-20 season when Liberty swept Adrian College.

“When we swept Adrian my freshman year, they were No. 1 in the country, and we were No. 2,” he said. “It was very exciting. The fans were crazy loud. I’ll never forget that.” 

Another favorite for Baird was Liberty’s upset win over Long Island when the Flames defeated the Sharks 2-1 in the 2020-21 season. 

“It was a big moment for us as a program and for us as a team,” he said. 

Midnight games, his first goal and the team bus rides are memories Baird hopes to never forget.  

While Baird’s contributions on the ice are tremendous, his life off it can be equally as exciting. 

He is a member of the Club Sports Spiritual Leadership Group and a contributing member of his intermural bowling team. When he isn’t serving up strikes, you might find him golfing, wakeboarding and watching his favorite sports teams — the Vikings, Wild and Twins.  

Following his final season at Liberty, Baird is planning to pursue a job in the accounting world. He recently graduated with an accounting degree and is currently working on his MBA.  

He is also engaged with plans to get married this summer.  

In his final season at Liberty, however, Colin hopes to make it one for the history books. The two-time team captain is committed to bringing home a national championship to Liberty University and going out on top.  

“We have a huge team goal of making the national championship game and winning it,” Baird said. “It would mean a lot to our team, coaches and our fans, who have been so loyal.” 

Garrett is a sports reporter for the Liberty Champion