More than 800 attendees participate in annual LU Murph Challenge

Liberty University students participated in the LU Murph Challenge Oct. 19 to raise money
for the National Center for Healthy Veterans (NCHV).

The event was unlike any other, as students pushed themselves to their physical limitations in honor of Lt. Michael P. Murphy and in support of veterans who struggle with mental health. The LU Murph Challenge is hosted annually.

This year, more than 800 attendees took on running two miles and completing 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups and 300 air squats.

Landon Roseberry, director of communications, shared all the work that went into creating a successful event.

“We had almost a six month or greater planning cycle that began with weekly meetings with the executive team going over operational planning and organizational structure,” Roseberry said.

He emphasized that the importance of planning and producing is strengthened by the culture the LU Murph team fosters, encouraging a “good culture of servant leaders that are Christ-focused.”

The purpose and mission of the event was emphasized by the student leadership: raising awareness that veterans commit suicide every day.   

“(Suicide) is a travesty and doesn’t sit well with us as LU students and just as human beings in general, … and we want to do something about that. … That’s where the National Center for Healthy Veterans comes in,” Roseberry said.

The NCHV has helped veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries and other psychological injuries. The money raised by the LU Murph challenge will go towards providing a “nine-month residential program … which sequentially focus(es) on resilience, trauma recovery and career preparation,” according to the NCHV website. In this way, many veterans who suffer with depression and other mental illnesses will not only receive care but hear about God in this Christian-based organization.

On the precipice of its 20th anniversary, the Murph Challenge was introduced in August 2005 by founders Greg Glassman of CrossFit and Mike Sauers of Forged. The challenge has commemorated the courage and selflessness of Murphy, who gave his life in protection of his comrades. In imitation of his courageous acts, the Murph challenge encourages students at Liberty to live a courageously selfless life through grit and dedication in difficulty. Many have been impacted by the story behind the event.

Jacob Bull, the president of the Murph Action Team, shared how it has impacted his career goals, life and faith. Bull is currently studying government, politics and policy.

“Being able to see the passion behind this cause has definitely kick-started (my) passion for government reform, … trying to find out strategies to combat this issue of veteran suicide,” Bull said.

Alongside this, he also shared that his dependence on and faith in God has grown “tenfold.”

“It’s definitely been him. … This project was not me,” Bull said.

Since Liberty’s first Murph Challenge, instated by Liberty student Nick Salonites, the leadership has continued the mission to communicate to others that a life of service for the betterment of veterans who have served the country is immensely valuable. A life marked by love and sacrifice should define our lives, and a life filled with grit and determination should be sought after wholeheartedly.

According to Bull, the events, marketing, finance, communication and fundraising teams behind the event worked tirelessly for the betterment of veterans.

Fitzgerald is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion.