Loyal Flames fans fired up to watch their team in person at March Madness

Not allowing anything to stand in the way of supporting the team they love so much, an assortment of Liberty University’s men’s basketball fans made the effort to cheer on the Flames firsthand against Oklahoma State in the first round of the NCAA DI men’s basketball tournament, held Friday night in Indianapolis.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the seating capacities of all five of the tournament’s venues were cut to 25 percent of their usual limits, and Liberty’s location at Indiana Farmers Coliseum was open to a reported 1,700 fans and media members.

Matt Schubert (’98) and his wife Johanna of Lynchburg, Va., brought two of their children, Tatyana (’19) and Joshua, to Indianapolis after only being able to attend a couple games at Liberty Arena due to this season’s COVID-19 limitations. Schubert and his family are members of the Flames Club, and in past seasons, they could usually be found in the stands at Liberty home games. He said he has found ways to remain a part of Flames Nation this season even when he had to watch from home.

“We’ve ended up having family and friends over for a lot of the games, so we made it into a fun social event,” Schubert said. “I’ve also really enjoyed the podcast that Flames Central has put out, and I felt like that was a helpful way to stay connected to the team and hear what was going on.”

Schubert arrived on campus in the fall of 1994, just after Liberty went to the tournament for the first time in school history. He’s followed the team ever since, noting that he’s seen the growth of the program, particularly in recent years under Head Coach Ritchie McKay.

“There have definitely been lots of ups and downs and sometimes it was tough on us fans, but it’s really been different under Coach McKay because he’s reestablished the standard of what (Liberty Basketball) should look like,” Schubert said. “I love what a Coach McKay team represents because it’s a really unselfish team that you know is going to play hard every game and represent the school well on and off the court. You also expect that they’re going to show up and compete, and that’s a lot of fun as a fan.”

A former equipment manager for the team, Tim Talley (’09) and his wife Whitney, from Lynchburg also, met at Liberty and have been loyal ticketholders since they graduated. Tim Talley said he appreciates the team-oriented approach McKay instills in the Flames and believes the team can continue growing in their success.

“They play with discipline and they’re not playing for themselves, they’re playing as a team, and I think that’s really compelling when everyone’s out being selfish and trying to get their own thing,” he said. “We have skilled players, but as a team they can do a lot of great things, and that’s part of what makes it neat to follow them.”

Having been in attendance for Liberty’s ASUN Championship win over Lipscomb on March 8, 2020 — Liberty’s final game in the Vines Center — and the first game in the new Liberty Arena on Dec. 3, the Talleys are ready to witness another thrilling victory for Flames Basketball.

Talley laughed as he recalled having tickets and travel plans to see Liberty’s 2019 March Madness appearance, highlighted by the Flames’ first tournament win in program history — but had canceled his reservations at the last second.

“It was the worst decision I’ve ever made, and I’ve regretted it every day since,” he said. “I told my wife that if Liberty goes back to the tournament, then we’re going.”

As a more recent Liberty graduate and avid fan, Darrian Graves (’18) of Beaumont, Texas, said that witnessing the Flames’ rapid success in recent years is special.

“There’s a lot of pride that comes with wearing a Liberty University T-shirt now with all of the success that we’ve experienced in recent years, and it keeps you invested in following along with the team,” Graves said. “The culture of Liberty men’s basketball is one in a million; it’s really special, and Coach McKay and those guys have done a really good job of creating something that you want to be a part of (as a fan).”

Graves worked as a content creator for the team when he was a student. Having had that close connection to the program, he’s made every effort to attend games even after he moved out of Virginia. He’s watched the Flames play every year, at home or on the road, since becoming a Liberty student.

“I made a commitment to myself that if Liberty was able to get (to the tournament) that I would be there,” said Graves, who attended Friday’s game with his wife, Carli. “I went in 2019 and planned to go last year before it was canceled, but I’m going to be there every year that the Flames are. I’m a big advocate of the university, but I’m also an advocate for the basketball program.”

Tune in to the Flames’ first-round matchup with Oklahoma State tonight at 6:25 EST on TBS.