LU athletics director gives update on operations, says ‘We have a lot to be grateful for’
April 9, 2020 : By Liberty University Athletics
Liberty University Director of Athletics Ian McCaw said the department is providing tremendous support to its student-athletes in the midst of the spring sports shutdown caused by COVID-19.
McCaw hosted a virtual press conference for Liberty Athletics and other area media representatives on Wednesday morning, expressing in his opening statements appreciation to his staff for their efforts and to God for His continued blessings.
“These have certainly been challenging times for our coaches, our staff, our student-athletes … (and) I have been really proud of the way (they) have handled this in a positive way in light of difficult circumstances,” he said. “At the same time, we have a lot to be grateful for. Certainly, it reminds us to be grateful for our health and our family and our faith, and all of the blessings that God pours out for us.”
McCaw said he and his staff have made the safety and welfare of the student-athletes the top priority during this uncertain time.
“We have been impressing upon our coaches and staff how important it is to regularly check in with the student-athletes, some of whom are in Lynchburg and some are elsewhere, on their academics on their physical health, mental health, and overall well-being,” he said. “Our student-athletes have never been through anything like this before, so we want to make sure we are coming alongside them as they go through it.”
Liberty Senior Associate Athletics Director for Academic Affairs Kristie Bietz and her staff have been intentional about communicating with student-athletes, even more frequently than they did when they were on campus, offering academic support remotely to help provide structure to their daily routines.
“They’ve done a terrific job and our coaches have been very involved in that as well, just making sure our student-athletes are taking care of their academic work and have the academic support that they need to be successful,” McCaw said.
He remains optimistic that the 2020-21 athletic schedules will be able to proceed as scheduled.
“I personally am very optimistic that we’re going to return to more normal operations over the course of summer and be ready for the fall,” McCaw said, noting that there have been talks of shortening the football season. “We do have contingency plans in place, but I am very hopeful that we will be able to play a full 2020 season. At this point, you want to prepare for everything, but hope for the best.”
McCaw said he anticipates that up to half of the senior spring sport athletes who were granted an optional fifth year of eligibility by the NCAA due to COVID-19 cancellations could return for the 2020-21 school year.
He also announced that the ASUN has opted to roll over the 2020 Championship host sites to 2021, so Liberty will be hosting the 2021 ASUN Championships for indoor track & field again as well as men’s and women’s tennis and softball championships.
McCaw provided updates on Athletics construction projects, including the Liberty Arena (the future home of men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball programs, located next to the Vines Center), the renovated Williams Stadium Carter Tower, and the expanded Liberty Football Center (LFC).
“It is spectacular,” he said of the LFC. “It’s really going to be a game-changer for us. Between that and the Indoor Practice Facility, those give us really elite Power 5-level facilities for our football program, so we’re very excited about what that’s going to do for us.”
McCaw also commended football Head Coach Hugh Freeze and men’s basketball Head Coach Ritchie McKay for helping their respective programs to rise through the national ranks and applauded outgoing men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track & field Head Coach Brant Tolsma, who announced his retirement in late February. McCaw announced that a ceremony honoring Tolsma’s illustrious career and welcoming back his former athletes would be scheduled for Homecoming Weekend, set for Oct 9-10.
Watch McCaw’s full press conference on the Liberty Athletics website.
