Liberty hosts first-ever Murph Challenge on campus; over $39,000 raised for local veterans

Long before sunrise, a team of 60 student volunteers prepared to host the first Murph Challenge on campus, drawing over 400 participants, vendors, and military service organizations to the Liberty Lacrosse Field on Saturday morning to raise money for area veterans.

The fully student-funded and student-led event aimed to bring awareness to veteran suicide and raise money for the National Center for Healthy Veterans (Valor Farms), a local Christian organization in Altavista that offers housing, wellness workshops, faith-based counseling, and other programs to veterans. The event was inspired by the CrossFit Murph Challenge, a workout created to honor the sacrifice of fallen Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy that is held in different locations across the nation.

“One of our mission statements was to bring glory to God by honoring the sacrifices made by United States military veterans,” senior Nick Salonites, who organized the event. “(The Murph Challenge) was that avenue to bring glory to the Lord.”

The event commenced at 8:20 a.m. with a 1-mile run, followed by 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, and 300 air squats, and ended with another 1-mile run. There were 35 pull-up bars stationed in the center of the field; participants ran laps around the field. The top three competitors in each heat (one competitive and two noncompetitive) were recognized in a final ceremony. About 250 registered for the challenge, most of them Liberty students. United States Marine Corps veteran and participant Jackson Ayers appreciated seeing veterans and students push themselves to participate in the physically demanding challenge.

“The respect that (Liberty students) have for our military and those who have served was something that you don’t see really anywhere else in our younger population,” Ayers said. “Liberty University and those who came out to support the Murph Challenge make me proud to be a veteran.”

The event was open to the public and featured food trucks, live music, raffles, and thousands of dollars in giveaways. For a $5 admission fee, Liberty students and Lynchburg locals could watch the competitors, connect with veterans in the area, and browse the over 15 nonprofit and local nutrition vendors selling coffee, food, and various accessories on the field. They could also visit with some of the organizations in attendance, including the Red Cross, Homes for Heroes, Roanoke Vet Center, Crosswhite Fitness, and Americans for Prosperity, in addition to the United States Army, Marines, Navy, and Air Force.

Participants and attendees gathered at 7:30 a.m. for a time of worship, led by Liberty Worship Collective member Moses Uzele, followed by the Presentation of Colours and the singing of the national anthem by Charles Billingsley, teaching pastor at Thomas Road Baptist Church. Special guests included Lynchburg Mayor Stephanie Reed and retired Maj. Gen. Bob Dees, founder of the National Center for Healthy Veterans (Valor Farms).

Liberty professor and Senior Executive Director of LU Shepherd Dr. David Wheeler took to the stage as a guest speaker, noting that if the Lord is not at the forefront of every event such as the Murph Challenge, then ultimately, none of the work matters. Liberty President Dondi Costin also spoke, remarking on the great way the event honors both past and present military service members.

Salonites, who is pursuing his bachelor’s in Business Administration – Entrepreneurship, said the event was almost three years in the making. He brought his idea for hosting a Murph Challenge to Liberty Vice Provost for Engagement & Public Relations Dr. Dave Brat (then the dean of the School of Business), who connected him with Dees. While this was only the beginning, Salonites believes his entire life culminated in this moment.

“I grew up meeting a lot of vets and war heroes, so from an early age that was kind of molded into me,” Salonites said. “Call it a burden, but it was put on me to do something. Going to a school like Liberty and what it stands for, I figured, ‘Why can’t we do something like this at Liberty?’”

Once Salonites received approval from the School of Business to promote the Murph Challenge, he spent almost 12 weeks assembling a team that met weekly to discuss planning and marketing. They recruited vendors and sponsors within the community and advertised on Liberty’s campus. Junior Sydni Waldron was inspired to join the team after hearing Salonites share his vision in one of her classes and knew the event was something she wanted to take part in.

“Being able to come into this knowing no one and come out of it with lifelong friendships is nothing of my own doing,” Waldron said. “I thank the Lord every day for the gift of this experience and how many other lives have been changed throughout the process.”

The Murph Challenge raised over $39,000 for Valor Farms. Salonites anticipates that the event will become an annual tradition hosted by the university, and he encourages students to go after their passions as he did in order to create a monumental impact.

“If there’s someone out there who feels like they should do something and they are walking with the Lord, let this be a testimony,” Salonites said. “The Lord will provide.”

Liberty University is observing November as Military Appreciation Month with various opportunities to recognize military service through veteran receptions, a Military Appreciation Convocation, and an ROTC 24-hour vigil. The monthlong celebration helps give greater visibility, support, and recognition to our military and veterans.