Men’s hockey team practices at Chancellor Falwell’s farm

Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr., gets out on the ice with LU’s men’s hockey team at his Bedford County, Va., farm. View more photos

On Tuesday, Jan. 12, the Liberty University men’s hockey team vacated the LaHaye Ice Center on campus in favor of an unusual practice arena. Head coach Kirk Handy surprised the entire team by holding practice outside at a lake on Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr.’s Bedford County, Va., farm.

“Our players loved it,” Handy said. “It made you feel like a little kid again.”

The players and coaching staff were excited for the opportunity to skate outside, he said.

“We kept it as a surprise for the team and had them change at the ice center and ride out in LU vans to the farm.”

Team members spent their time at the lake scrimmaging each other and conditioning in preparation for their Jan. 15 game against Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Canadian senior Dave Semenya said it was a very unexpected surprise for the entire team.

“I never thought it would be possible in Virginia,” Semenya said. “The ice was surprisingly smooth.”

Liberty’s men’s hockey team is 18-2 this season, and is currently ranked 4th in the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I rankings. The team hopes to capture the national title at this year’s ACHA Men’s Division 1 National Championships in March.

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