Over the last 40 years, the Liberty Flames Hockey program has stormed Lynchburg on and off the ice.
For many students, Liberty Hockey has become more than a sport. It is a community. What began as a small club team with no rink has grown into one of the school’s most recognizable traditions.
The team was created by a collection of students with a dream to have hockey on campus. The Flames started playing in 1984 as an independent club team, scrimmaging other schools outside of official play.
One year later, professor Gary Habermas took the helm as the Flames’ first head coach. During the 1985-86 season, the Flames played 20 games and boasted an impressive 18-2 record.
Habermas led the team to multiple national tournaments and coached talented players such as Nick Reichenbach, the first captain in team history.
At the time, the Flames did not have an ice rink, so the team traveled to other cities in Virginia such as Roanoke and Charlottesville to host opponents.
Former Flame right wing and current Head Coach Kirk Handy credits the early team for building the foundation of the program’s culture despite the lack of home ice.
“Each one of those guys came to Liberty without a promise of a rink on campus or things being the way they are today,” Handy said. “At the time we were playing at 11 p.m. for our home games … it wasn’t so good for drawing the general population.”
In 2005, Tim and Beverly LaHaye gave a donation of $4.5 million for the construction of the LaHaye Ice Center, a huge step for the program. One year later, the Flames finally had their own ice to call home.
“In 2006 when we got a rink on campus, (it) was the first time … we started seeing that this is really something that’s going to take off,” Handy said.
In 2006, the team moved up to the American Collegiate Hockey Association’s (ACHA) top division. Since moving to Division I, the Flames have made four appearances in the ACHA Final Four, and qualified for the ACHA Division 1 tournament for 10 consecutive years.
“Moving to Division I doesn’t happen if we’re not getting the rink,” Handy said. “That was the catalyst that gave us the ability (to) make the move.”
In 2015, the arena expanded to seat 4,000 fans, allowing more students to experience Liberty Hockey. The added atmosphere and larger arena were a welcome encouragement to players past and present.
Graduate student center Tucker Shields recalled his first experience hitting the ice at the arena.
“I just remember thinking this is the coolest hockey experience I’ve ever had because you’re in an arena surrounded by your peers that are your age — and there’s just thousands of them,” Shields said. “It was a surreal experience. I’ll never forget it.”
Over the years, the Liberty hockey fan base has continued to grow. The team hosts themed game nights, such as Star Wars Night, First Responders Night and the fan-favorite Midnight Mayhem which occurs twice a season.
Senior Levi Staton fell in love with the sport by attending home games.
“Coming here I got more into it,” Staton said. “I actually cared to learn the rules of hockey … last year I went to every single game except maybe two.”
Liberty Flames hockey has come a long way since its inception in 1984. The culture built over the last 40 years is a testament to the dedication and faithfulness of all who have been a part of the program.
Moses is a sports reporter for The Liberty Champion.