Football Team and Traditions Introduced at President's Kickoff Event
8/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Liberty News Office Coverage of 2015 President's Kickoff Event
Liberty University hosted its eighth annual President's Kickoff, Friday evening, inside Williams Stadium, one of the first official events on Liberty Mountain for the 2015-16 academic year.
Liberty's Class of 2019 has spent most of the last three days moving into their dorms and adjusting to campus life. Gates opened at Williams Stadium at 5 p.m. and the largest freshmen class in school history was served dinner and had a chance to watch one of the final football workouts for Liberty's 2015 August training camp.
More than 4,000 new undergraduate students will begin studying on Liberty University's campus this fall, contributing to a resident population of 14,000 for the first time in school history.
Freshmen account for 67 percent of new undergraduate students while transfer students and students returning after at least one semester away from Liberty make up 27 and 6 percent, respectively.
President Jerry Falwell officially welcomed Liberty's newest freshmen class, treating them to dinner on the grounds at the stadium. During the annual kickoff event, President Falwell welcomed the fresh faces to Liberty's campus and talked with them about how important athletics is to the overall collegiate experience.
The event was hosted by the athletics department, giving Director of Athletics Jeff Barber a chance to address the newest Liberty Flames fans. During his time before the freshmen class, he conveyed the importance of being a true Liberty Flames fan.
During the remainder of the 45-minute event, the freshmen class was taught many of Liberty's football game day traditions. Toward the end the program, fourth-year head football coach Turner Gill addressed the crowd and thanked them for their support for the upcoming season.
The Liberty Flames Sports Network was on site throughout the evening and provided a video recap of today's event, including an interview with President Falwell.
The football program will hold its final full workout of August training camp on Saturday evening as part of Flames Fan Fest. Gates at the stadium will open at 6 p.m., with a full scrimmage slated to start at 7 p.m. Following the scrimmage, Liberty's players and coaches will be available for a meet-and-greet session in the Williams Stadium Concourse. The event is free of charge and open to the public.
While season tickets and Flames Club membership are tracking at record levels with two weeks remaining until Liberty's home opener against Delaware State on Sept. 5, outstanding seats are still available.
Season tickets for Liberty's seven-time Big South champion football team remain on sale. For assistance with your season ticket order, please contact the Flames Club at (434) 582-CLUB (2582) if you have questions regarding membership or reserved, premium and club season tickets.
The Flames Ticket Office can assist with any questions regarding general admission season tickets. You can contact the Flames Ticket office at (434) 582-SEAT (7328) or tickets@liberty.edu.
