‘Flames Central,’ Liberty Athletics combine for school-best six Emmys

“Flames Central,” Liberty University’s sports television show dedicated to providing in-depth coverage of student-athletes and teams, and the Liberty Athletics creative team earned a school-record six Emmys at the 65th Capital Emmy Awards on June 24.

The ceremony was held by the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The university’s six wins came after receiving 13 nominations, also the most in school history.

“I think it speaks to the talent we have on both the ‘Flames Central’ team and the Liberty Athletics Creative Team and to how hard these people work to create something that showcases Liberty University in the best way possible,” said Matt Warner, producer and co-anchor of “Flames Central.”

“To know that we beat out professional teams and other major universities for these awards is a pretty good feeling,” he added.

“Flames Central” has now won at least one Emmy for eight consecutive years and boasts a total of 14 Emmys overall, and Warner credited the university with providing the show with the resources to effectively cover Liberty’s athletics achievements. He also noted that the program’s continued success will help the university gain further recognition.

“Our goal in all of this is to tell the stories of Liberty athletes, coaches and alumni,” he said. “We have a passion for doing that and for showing how God has worked in their lives as they compete at the highest level. That’s what makes our stories special. It’s about more than wins and losses. It’s about how God is moving and about how the mission of Liberty is being lived out through so many people within Liberty Athletics.”

“Flames Central” airs on more than 10 affiliate stations across the country, with live premieres Fridays on ESPN+ at 2 p.m. EST and archives of past shows available on its website. Locally, Flames fans can watch the show on Sundays on WDBJ at 11:35 p.m. and on Saturdays on WSET at 11:30 a.m.

2023 Emmy Awards:

Sports Program Post-Produced or Edited – Flames Central

Graphic Arts – Austin Reddington, Flames Central

Audio – Alex Short, Flames Central

Military Short Form Content

“Sam Chelanga – A Different Kind of Training” – John Pratt, producer

• • Sam Chelanga is a former Liberty track and field athlete who is now training for the 2024 Olympics as a member of the U.S. Army.

Sports Story – Short Form Content

“BYU Vision Realized” – Cullen Ecoffey, editor

• • Decades after Liberty founder Dr. Jerry Falwell first expressed his dream that Liberty University would rival other private universities like Brigham Young University, Liberty Football defeated the Cougars for the first time on Oct. 22, 2022.

Editor: Short Form Content

“Welcome Coach Chadwell” – Cullen Ecoffey, editor

• • Liberty University welcomed Jamey Chadwell, who came to the Mountain from Coastal Carolina.