‘Victory in Jesus’: LU Softball coach leads several players from different schools in baptism ahead of conference championship

As Liberty University Softball prepares to defend its title at the 2025 CUSA Softball Championship this week, Head Coach Dot Richardson and the rest of the team have already celebrated some big wins — not on the field, but at a hotel pool in Bowling Green, Ky. On Tuesday, 26 CUSA student-athletes from Liberty and other schools made public proclamations of their faith in Jesus through baptism.

Richardson said the event was sparked by a conversation she had in the hotel elevator on Monday with a Jacksonville State University player who asked her to baptize her and some of her teammates. Leading up to Tuesday evening, several LU players also asked to be baptized. Richardson spoke with several CUSA coaches to confirm a time for the baptisms.

When Richardson arrived at the pool, she was greeted by Crossland Community Church Senior Pastor Gregg Farrell who explained that he has just held a separate baptismal service the night before and was available to help with these baptisms.

With at least 60 people in attendance, Richardson stood in the middle of the pool and first shared the Gospel and the significance of a believer following Christ’s command to baptism. After baptizing several Liberty and JSU players, Farrell prayed and invited others who felt led to come into the water. Ultimately, 26 players from LU, Western Kentucky, Sam Houston, and JSU were baptized.

“It was powerful and unbelievable,” Richardson said on Wednesday. “The Holy Spirit took over — the tears, the joy, the excitement, and the humility. I told her (the JSU player who approached her in the elevator), ‘Look how God has worked through you. Look how He has called you to Him. With you wanting to be baptized and being bold to ask for it, look how many others have done the same.’”

While the Lady Flames and other CUSA teams will no doubt look to take home the 2025 conference, Richardson said victory on the field is only secondary to the joy of having a relationship with Jesus.

26 lives changed last night. Thank you, Jesus! pic.twitter.com/ar1aFkg40z

— Liberty Softball (@LibertySB) May 7, 2025

“This is the biggest victory of all,” she said. “No matter what happens in this tournament and beyond, the victory is in Jesus. That’s what life is about: getting to know Him, continuing to seek Him, and growing closer to Him. No matter what we do, whether it’s competing in a sport or in business or in our lives, it’s really all about accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior and following His commands and being obedient. Baptism is one of those callings.”

“We are blessed to be at Liberty, the largest Christian University in the world,” Richardson added. “With Liberty across the front of our jerseys, people know we stand for Christ and for Training Champions for Christ, and that’s powerful. There’s also a calling for us to make sure we’re playing for something more than just wins and losses. We’re playing to glorify Him and that should be the goal for all of us.”

Richardson was recently named the 2025 CUSA Coach of the Year after leading the Lady Flames to a stellar 23-3 conference record and 44-11 overall record. She is in her 12th year as Liberty’s head coach.

Liberty won the 2024 CUSA title in its inaugural season in the conference, and will look to replicate that feat this year. The No.1-ranked Lady Flames kicked off post season play with a bout against No. 4 Louisiana Tech on Thursday at 1:30 EST. The winner of this game will play at noon on Friday, while the loser will compete at 2:30 on Friday in an elimination game. Opponents are yet to be determined.

Follow the action at LibertyFlames.com.