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New students catch Flames spirit at annual kickoff event

The combination of youthful vigor and sheer numbers make Liberty University’s Class of 2020 a force to be reckoned with in the stands. Friday evening, as golden rays from the setting sun bathed the field at Williams Stadium, the newest campus residents unleashed their school spirit in a torrent of cheers and victory cries, spurred on by Flames cheerleaders and the Spirit of the Mountain Marching Band.

The enthusiastic pep rally — the annual Flames Kickoff — gave new students the opportunity to practice game-day traditions and get an injection of Liberty spirit from Athletics Director Jeff Barber, Liberty Flames Sports Network personalities, and various coaches, including Flames Football Head Coach Turner Gill, Lady Flames Basketball Head Coach Carey Green, Flames Basketball Head Coach Ritchie McKay, and new Flames Baseball Head Coach Scott Jackson.

“Your experience here will be unbelievable if you will invest yourself in it,” Jackson said, encouraging the crowd to enjoy everything that Liberty has to offer on campus, including a top-notch NCAA Division I Athletics program. “I promise you we will play hard, we will get after it, we’ll have a great season — something you guys can be proud of as students at Liberty.”

Liberty University’s Class of 2020 forms an LU monogram with the marching band. (Photo by Joel Coleman)

After the event, the freshman class joined the marching band (both were clad in red) on the field, forming a giant “LU” for a photo.

Liberty welcomes its largest incoming class this semester — over 3,900 strong — as well as the highest residential student population (approximately 15,000 students) and the most students living on campus (8,100), so Flames home events are sure to get an extra jolt of energy from the student section. (Read more about the incoming class.)

“The energy around the student section at the sporting events here is so hype,” said incoming freshman Gabriel Irizarry. “And it’s Christ-centered, which makes it that much better in my opinion.”

“I’m looking forward to making those memories — going to sporting events and just having a great time, getting to know people,” added Jared Spoonhour, also a freshman.

Classes start Monday, but new and returning students can look forward to more than just academic rigor this semester. Available this semester is an exciting lineup of musicians, a diverse artistic culture, and plenty of Campus Recreation activities, including trail races, fitness challenges, outdoor adventure excursions, game nights, talent shows, movie nights, and a fall festival. Block Party, the annual concert/carnival, will kick off the semester next Saturday with games, food, rides, and music from Colony House, Dave Barnes, and Vacation Manor, capped with an explosive fireworks finale.

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