Liberty Athletics has launched a $500,000 campaign to name the field at Liberty Baseball Stadium after Al Worthington, the baseball program’s all-time winningest coach.
Worthington, a pitcher who spent 19 years playing Major League Baseball, came to Lynchburg in 1974 to start the program. He coached for 13 years, finishing with a 64.4 winning percentage (343-189-1). Under his leadership, four All-Americans and nine players went on to play professional baseball.
The Flames Club has already received a lead gift from former baseball standouts David and Jason Benham (1995-98). While the twin brothers did not play for Worthington, they wanted to contribute to the effort to honor him for his outstanding testimony and relentless mission to use baseball as a platform for evangelism. Liberty Athletics will commemorate the Benhams’ gift with the naming of a yet-to-be-determined space in their honor at the stadium. Following the 1998 season, the Benhams were drafted in the Major League Baseball Draft; David was selected by the Boston Red Sox and Jason by the Baltimore Orioles.
The university is matching contributions up to the $500,000 goal. Those interested in contributing should contact the Flames Club at 434-582-CLUB (2582) or FlamesClub@localhost.
Gifts may be tax-deductible, and pledges can be fulfilled over five years. Naming opportunities begin at the $2,000 for a locker in the Clendenin Locker Room.
