Contact Us
If you have any questions, story ideas/tips, or would like the Champion delivered to your home, email us at thechampion@liberty.edu.
About the Liberty Champion
The Liberty Champion began publication in 1983 as Liberty University’s student paper. It continues to run eight print issues each semester which are distributed to students at racks around campus and via mail to our subscription list.
Advertising
Let the Liberty Champion help reach your marketing needs! Review advertising options and request ad space for our Fall 2026 publications.
For questions regarding advertising guidelines, please contact our director Emily Young at thechampion@liberty.edu.
Address:
The Liberty Champion
1971 University Blvd
Lynchburg, Va. 24515
MSC Box 710305
Archives
If you can’t find the article you are looking for online, or want to view a full archived issue, please start by searching the Jerry Falwell Library Archives and Special Collections. If you can’t find what you are looking for there, email thechampion@liberty.edu with your request.
Liberty Champion Staff
Avery Warden
Editor in Chief
Avery is a senior from Kernersville, North Carolina, majoring in digital media and journalism with a minor in Spanish. He loves sports, hiking, and video games. When he graduates, he hopes to work in NASCAR as a reporter or part of a team’s creative service department.
Skylar Senes
News Editor
Skylar is a junior from Cincinnati, Ohio, pursuing a degree in Digital Media & Journalism. She is passionate about storytelling, writing, and strives to bring light to the community. Outside of the newsroom, Skylar enjoys playing guitar, running, and spending time with her friends.
Ruthie Jane Gathje
News Editor
Ruthie is a junior from Mechanicsville, Virginia, majoring in Digital Media and Journalism and minoring in Government. She hopes to work for a local or national news station as a researcher or even an anchor on TV. Back at home, Ruthie enjoys spending time with her family, reading missionary books, and leading worship at church on Sundays. In her free time, she enjoys watching old western films, journaling, and shopping at Ross and T.J. Maxx.
Ella Sizemore
Opinion Editor
Ella is a sophomore from Yadkinville, North Carolina majoring in Digital Media and Journalism: Sports Journalism. She hopes to work in broadcast sports and as a sideline reporter upon graduation. An avid sports fan, much of Ella's free time is spent watching or reading up on the latest. She also enjoys playing sports, working out, and hanging out with family.
Sophia Twitchell
Feature Editor
Sophia Twitchell is currently a Digital Media & Journalism student. She is aspiring to be a director or producer for a news program. In the summer of 2026, she was in Washington, D.C., working for the Media Research Center. Sophia is from New Jersey, and in her free time, she loves taking walks outside, reading, and trying new coffee shops.
Rylea Combs
Feature Editor
Rylea Combs is a junior from Brown Summit, North Carolina. She is majoring in Digital Media and Journalism. She loves talking to people about what they are passionate about and bringing their stories to the community. She wants to pursue a career in magazine reporting or local news after graduation. In her free time, Rylea enjoys reading, hanging out with friends, dancing, and playing the violin.
Justin Shepard
Sports Editor
Justin Shepard is a junior out of Jersey City, New Jersey, and is currently pursuing a B.S in Digital Media and Journalism with a focus in sports journalism. In addition, Justin works for LBX, where he helps produce and broadcast live sporting events for ESPN+. Justin hopes to work in some type of sporting environment, mainly as a broadcaster. In his free time, you'll find Justin watching sports, working out, and hanging out with friends.
Leah Potter
Sports Editor
Leah Potter is an aspiring journalist from Cranberry, North Carolina. Pursuing a degree in digital media and journalism, she’s passionate about telling stories and hopes to build a career in sports, entertainment, or political media. In her free time, she’s probably at the gym, reading, or listening to music.
Ivy Rath
Copy Editor
Ivy is from the great state of Ohio, and is currently a sophomore majoring in both English and Writing with a minor in Professional Writing. She hopes to one day publish her own fantasy bestseller novel, just like her literary heroes, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. When she's not at the writing desk, Ivy can be found practicing violin for the LU orchestra, or getting walloped at fencing practice.
Avis Kate Huckabay
Sports Copy Editor
Kate is a creative and driven writer studying at Liberty University for her Bachelor's degree in digital media and sports journalism. She enjoys sports, particularly NASCAR, dirt racing, ice hockey, and baseball. Born in Louisiana but living in Virginia, she is aiming to become a field journalist for NASCAR after graduating.
Hannah Henze
Feature/Opinion Copy Editor
Hannah is a junior from Davis, California and she has a double major in English and Writing, as well as a dance minor. In her free time, she likes to hang out with friends and read. Her passions also include coffee, tea, animals, and nature. She hopes to one day edit fiction books.
Lily Bradley
Sports Designer
Lily's passion for writing and art motivated her to complete a graphic design major with a creative writing minor. When she isn't creating graphics or designing layouts, she can be found paddleboarding, crafting a new recipe, or painting. She has traveled to eighteen states, three counties, and way too many beaches on the Georgia coastline. According to her friends, she has way too many earrings and rings, but she plans on collecting more fun pieces.
Natalie Stevens
Feature/Opinion Designer
Natalie S. lives locally in the Lynchburg, VA area, studying both Business Administration and Graphic Design majors. Natalie has several hobbies including painting, drawing, hiking, and is never afraid to travel to new cities. After she finishes her studies, she hopes to move out of state to either Georgia or Tennessee to grow her career into whatever God has planned for her! Overall, Natalie is very passionate about progressing in her field of Graphic Design and hopes continue to grow along with the Liberty Champion creative team!
Aiden "Bucky" Buchsbuam
News Designer
Aiden Buchsbaum is a Studio Art and Applied Mathematics & Statistics double major at Liberty University who enjoys bringing ideas to life through design. He works across illustration, graphic design, and digital media, creating everything from character graphics to YouTube thumbnails. When he’s not designing, he’s usually working on personal art projects or experimenting with new styles. Aiden is passionate about making visuals that are both eye-catching and meaningful.
Hayley Coronado
Social Media Manager
Hayley Coronado is from Chicago, IL. She is a senior majoring in social work with a minor in photography. In her free time, she likes to go hiking, take photos and hang out with friends. A fun fact about Hayley is that she has 2 iced coffees every day.
Jordan Blabey
Photo Editor
Jordan is from Fairfax, Virginia. He came to Liberty to pursue a degree in Computer Science. In his off time, Jordan loves photography, basketball, hiking and going for very long runs. Coming from a homeschool background, he is happy he was able to have an open schedule through high school to cultivate interests such as photography and sports.
Iwan Steinmann
Photo Editor
Iwan is a student at Liberty University from Massachusetts, studying Video Production while continuing to develop his love for photography. In his spare time, he enjoys capturing sports, playing rugby and basketball, and networking. With a vocational high school background in photography and videography, he appreciates the hands-on experiences that shaped his skills and sparked his passion for visual storytelling.
Joshua Gross
Web Manager & Staff Videographer
Joshua is an aspiring sports broadcaster currently set to graduate from Liberty University in Fall 2027 with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies (Sport and Communication). Originally born in the United Kingdom, he moved to the United States in 2014, living in Miami for 8 years before then moving to Myrtle Beach, SC. Joshua is heavily involved in Liberty Athletics, ranging from camera operation to on-air talent. He also runs his own sports social media brand, "Gross Takes", discussing hot topics in sports.
Ashlyn Lemons
AGA Digital Media
Ashlyn Lemons is currently working towards her M.S. in Social Media Management. She received her Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Acting last May of 26' from Liberty, and is very excited to be continuing her education. The things she most enjoys are all things related to the arts. She loves movies, books, Shakespeare specifically, and any form of outdoor activity. Apart from that, her favorite thing in the world is to spend time with her darling husband.
Jenna Bradfield
AGA Designer
Jenna is the GSA for the Liberty Champion. She graduated with a degree in Graphic Design, and is continuing her education in Graphic Design with a focus on illustration. When she's not working or studying, she enjoys hanging out with friends, karaoke, being outside, and listening to music.
Emily Young
Director
Emily is a Liberty University alumna and former Champion staff member. In addition to her role as director of the Liberty Champion, she also teaches journalism classes for Liberty University Online.