Flames Football players step off the field to support area elementary school
October 13, 2025 : By Christian Shields - Office of Communications & Public Engagement
Liberty University’s Football team took a break from the practice field and classroom studies to play games and read books to students at Brookneal Elementary School in Campbell County on Sept. 29 for what they described as a “mini school takeover.”
Players also presented Principal Sterling Harrison with a check for $8,000 from the College Football Playoff Foundation, the community engagement arm of the College Football Playoff that seeks to support educators throughout the country by partnering with individual NCAA football programs.
Lauren Amy, Liberty’s director of Engagement & Development for Student-Athletes, said the event stemmed from Liberty Athletics’ annual Dollar Makes a Difference school supplies drive each fall, during which student-athletes raised almost $11,000 for local schools.
Acknowledging the needs at Brookneal, where Amy said 74% of the student population is considered economically disadvantaged, Liberty Athletics decided to prioritize the school with their donations — 10 teachers were gifted around $500 to purchase items from their school wish list — and return for a special day that focused on the students.
“The Lynchburg community gives a ton to our student-athletes by supporting them, coming to games, and cheering them on, so we want to be able to cheer on the next generation of Flames,” Amy said. “Whether that is the elementary students or the teacher training them, we just want to make sure our student-athletes have opportunities to support them.”
For the players, the outing was an opportunity to step off the field and into the Lynchburg community.
“As a Liberty Football player, I love to be able to connect with the community,” redshirt freshman quarterback Michael Merdinger said. “You quickly learn how great of an influence you are on these kids specifically, so to be able to interact with them is such a blessing. That passion drives us to serve and connect with them.”
“Community is everything,” added redshirt junior running back Jaylin Belford. “God has called us to serve but to also grow close together as people. I love to see me and my teammates have a huge impact on these schools, because when you see joy in others, it becomes contagious.”
The day was just one of numerous initiatives in which Liberty Athletics will positively impact the Central Virginia community this school year. On Oct. 6, student-athletes joined residents of Runk & Pratt at Liberty Ridge, a senior living community, for a time of fellowship and chocolate bingo, with coaches speaking to the residents on National Coaches Day. Last Wednesday, Liberty student-athletes will travel to William Marvin Bass Elementary School in Lynchburg to cheer on students participating in the Fall Friendship Field Day. More student-athletes went to Robert S. Payne Elementary on Thursday to join a Literacy Night event.
Throughout the month of October, all 20 Liberty NCAA Athletics programs plus Liberty Cheerleading are collecting donations for the Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat food drive , and several will be going to neighborhoods on Oct. 31. The donations will go to three local food pantries — The Fillin’ Station at Timberlake Church, Feed the Need at New London Church, and The Lynchburg Daily Bread — and Liberty’s Commuter Food Pantry on campus.
