Liberty University’s Murph Challenge raises thousands for National Center for Healthy Veterans

In 2023, a group of Liberty University students launched the LU Murph Challenge, a charitable organization that hosts a competitive CrossFit event on campus to raise money for struggling veterans in Central Virginia. The third annual event was held on Saturday at the Liberty Indoor Track & Field Complex, bringing in more than 300 participants and raising over $24,000.

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. The annual student-led fundraiser at Liberty honors the brave men and women who have given their lives in service to this nation, like Lt. Murphy, and raises awareness of the catastrophic veteran suicide epidemic. Participants complete a mile-long run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 air squats, and conclude with a second mile-long run.

Former Flames wrestler Jelcey Marte finished with the fastest time of 37:58 in the men’s weighted division. Other heat winners included Liberty cheerleader Georgia Giles (34:30, women’s non-weighted) and Flames Lacrosse midfielder Shane Supek (33:09, men’s non-weighted).

Since its inception, Liberty’s event has raised nearly $100,000 for the National Center for Healthy Veterans (NCHV) at Valor Farm in nearby Altavista. The NCHV, a Christian charity, offers a nine-month holistic recovery program for veterans through resiliency training, supportive community, and dignified work.

“I grew up meeting a lot of vets and war heroes, so from an early age that was kind of molded into me,” said business graduate Nick Salonites, who helped launch the group. “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?’”

Since 2023, the LU Murph Challenge has had more than 1,600 participants.

Liberty student Kyle Conard, president of the LU Murph Challenge, said the organization’s mission is focused on two key outcomes: bringing glory to God and helping veterans. This year’s theme was “Not About Me.”

“We wanted to highlight the humility and sacrifice our service members embody in the heat of battle,” he said.

Those who didn’t attend the 2025 Murph Challenge in person participated in a Virtual Murph Challenge, where competitors from around the world performed the regimen and submitted their results to an online leaderboard to see how they fared against others.

Several veteran heroes spoke before Saturday’s event kicked off, including Liberty President and Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Dondi E. Costin, U.S. Army veteran and Virginia Del. Nick Freitas, former Navy SEAL Team Leader Chadd Wright, and Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Bob Dees, the president of NCHV.

Freitas and Wright were also guests at Liberty’s Veterans Day Convocation on Friday.

Following the Murph Challenge, attendees enjoyed a concert by Indie folk artist and LU alumnus Luke Rob at the Spirit of Virginia Arena at Valor Farm.

The event was supported by more than 25 partners and sponsors, including Liberty’s Standing for Freedom Center.

For more information on the LU Murph Challenge, visit LUMurphChallenge.com.