[Kricket]

Ok, so this is my first post on this forum, and I don't have a lot to add, because I'm an online student at Liberty. This is the first year I've really started to follow Liberty football (which is tough all the way up here in Wisconsin). Even though I'm just an online student me and my brothers were talking about a road trip to the Ball State game. Maybe I'm some kind of sports geek, which I'm sure some people might be able to relate to, but I even watched archived videos of the games from last year.

Anyway, I guess I feel that the students on campus are the most critical part to building a solid football program. Especially at the FCS level. However I've heard Liberty wants to compare to Notre Dame, and to me that takes a national following. I know Liberty is nowhere near Notre Dame yet, but if Liberty does make the jump to the FBS, it wouldn't have the strong tradition of Notre Dame to get national respect. That being said, Notre Dame doesn't have online students spread out across the nation. I think the more success Liberty has the more attention the football program will get from online students and other casual fans which is probably minimal at this point.

I apologize if this topic was already raised on this board (I tried searching it, couldn't find it), but what type of impact do you think the tens of thousands online students could have to Liberty's football program's future? Don't be afraid to say what you really think, as I'm curious to hear others honest opinions. Thanks

[jcmanson]

Great post. Welcome to the board. I've always thought most of the online students would care less about the athletic programs, but I'm obviously wrong. The more fans the merrier.

[SuperJon]

I think, in general, the online students don't care too much. The majority of them just want to get a degree and we were a means to an end. With that being said, there is a group of online students that take pride in the fact that they're going to Liberty and it excites them. This group is the one that gets even more excited when they go to a game than we do because what's routine and normal for us is special and new for them.

[Kolzilla41]

Welcome aboard Kricket. I was a huge Liberty fan before I ever stepped foot on campus so I know where you're coming from. I think that Liberty will eventually have that following.

[LUconn]

This is kind of interesting. I've always thought of the online students as not really having any attachment to our athletic department at all. I mean it's difficult enough to get the kids on campus to throw out their "hometown" allegiances. It's pretty neat to see, at the very least, 1 onliner who is taking ownership of us.

[Hold My Own]

Having traveled to several road games last year and going to every road game this year I can say that the majority of guests that come from that area to visit the flames tent are online students. This is also the case in Chapter launch's across the country. The online students appear to be thirsty for getting involved even more so than the residential alumni....which was very interesting to discover.


Either way, great post and look forward to seeing you get involved on here and when the Flames are close...I'll be at the Ball State game as well!

[SumItUp]

Good first post Kricket. Welcome to the board.

Here is a recommendation - Join the Flames Club. It is a great way for you to keep in touch with the various athletic teams on the mountain and support the program financially. Even the entry level of $50.00 is helpful. The Flames Club staff also travels to the away football games and has a tent setup before the game. A meal is served for a minimal cost and is only available to Flames Club members. Also, if you go to the Ball State game, purchase your tickets from the Liberty Athletic dept. You may be able to purchase tickets directly from the Ball State ticketing office, but it benefits Liberty to track the amount of support that they have at each of their away games.

[jcmanson]

So how do we try to connect the athletic department to more of the Online Students?

[Kricket]

Thanks for the advice SumItUp, I'll definitely look into it.

A good way to connect online students would be perhaps online live video. I know, overload of online talk, but I can't think of another way, until of course Liberty reaches Notre Dame status and gets a TV deal with NBC (one can dream). I know the Big South's website you can watch online video, but the archived video quality makes it hardly bearable. I still will probably pay to watch the games online since I'm not aware of another option, but maybe more advertising of available sports video?

[Sly Fox]

First off, welcome to the board.

We used to have better video streams through the Liberty Channel site until the Big South took those web privileges away from the school as part of the league package. It has been all downhill from there. The good news is that most football games are televised and if you ahve AT&T U-verse or Verizon FiOS in Wisconsin then you can watch them live. Webstreaming rights are a big issue in collegiate athletics.

As for the roadie to Muncie, you'll have a ball. Make sure yo get in contact with the Flames Club in advance to find out what activities they may have around the stadium before the game.

[LUconn]

Every game televised on FSN (Flames Sports Network, not Fox sports) USED to be streamed over libertyflames.com for free. Then the Big South wanted to start "The Edge" and basically do the same exact thing we were already doing with all of the Big South teams. Only minor difference is they charge a bunch for it. And obviously they wouldn't then allow us to then stream it for free.

[From the class of 09]

Nice to have you on board Kricket. It's good to see DLP students take an interest in the sports programs.

I never thought of the DLP students being a way to build the sports program but you might be on to something. I'm sure that as LU continues to build its program that many more of the average sports fans in DLP will be all over LU athletics. That's a great selling point and welcome aboard.

[ALUmnus]

You'd be surprised to find out how many DLP students actually want to be connected with the school and really take pride in their alma mater. They may seem like numbers in the void to most of us, but they are in constant communication with the school through the DLP advisors and counselors and faculty. Unless something happens that really ticks them off, most love LU.

I have no doubt a sizable population of the online students/graduates would follow LU athletics if it was more accessible (ie, they could actually watch the games).

[Cider Jim]

I know the Big South's website you can watch online video, but the archived video quality makes it hardly bearable.

Welcome aboard, Kricket!

(It sounds like even our LUO students have issues with Mr. Kallender, our beloved commissioner).

[rogers3]

Hasn't worked for this WCU student! Coincidentally, It was my time online that reignited interested in LU athletics- FFs in particular. Thanks to SJ, Sly and some of you other oldies for making FF such a great venue for LU sports fans!

[LUconn]

Thanks to SJ, Sly and some of you other oldies for making FF such a great venue for LU sports fans!

How'd you like that one boss?

[Hold My Own]

Those within a 60 mile radius (pretty sure it's 60) will receive a mailer letting them know that the football team will be in their area....just another way to try and let those LUO, Alumni and students know what's going on and how to get connected. They are also invited to the Flames Club tent to eat before the game.

[JK37]

Those within a 60 mile radius (pretty sure it's 60) will receive a mailer letting them know that the football team will be in their area....just another way to try and let those LUO, Alumni and students know what's going on and how to get connected. They are also invited to the Flames Club tent to eat before the game.

I graduated from LU in '07, then from LUO in '10. I received an invitation in the mail last week to the Flame Club tent at the Ball State game!

But, I live in South Carolina. Hmm...

[Hold My Own]

I questioned that as well when I received mine here in Lynchburg.


It is being sent out to ALL Flames Club members and those on our list in the actual area

[SuperJon]

Thanks to SJ, Sly and some of you other oldies for making FF such a great venue for LU sports fans!

How'd you like that one boss?

It was definitely weird. I can't be too old though. I'm eating Fruit Loops for breakfast at 9:38 in the morning.

[PAmedic]

It was definitely weird. I can't be too old though. I'm eating Fruit Loops for breakfast at 9:38 in the morning.

Breyers' ice cream and chocolate chips.

top that

[Schfourteenteen]

Thanks to SJ, Sly and some of you other oldies for making FF such a great venue for LU sports fans!

How'd you like that one boss?

It was definitely weird. I can't be too old though. I'm eating Fruit Loops for breakfast at 9:38 in the morning.

At least we know you weren't eating BJ's Nut Bran.

[NewportNewsMike]

Kricket…Good thought about us on-line people supporting the Flame. I am a graduate of Liberty Online and started following Liberty Sports because I was a student. I went to a couple of football games in ’08, and made a couple more last year. I hope to see a few more this year. Anytime the Flames come toward the Hampton Roads area, I try to get to the game. My daughter has decided Liberty is the school for her, and will be a Freshman next year.

BTW--This is my first post also.

[Kolzilla41]

Kricket…Good thought about us on-line people supporting the Flame. I am a graduate of Liberty Online and started following Liberty Sports because I was a student. I went to a couple of football games in ’08, and made a couple more last year. I hope to see a few more this year. Anytime the Flames come toward the Hampton Roads area, I try to get to the game. My daughter has decided Liberty is the school for her, and will be a Freshman next year.

BTW--This is my first post also.

Thank you for posting Mike. I really hope this takes off for LU. Having an additional 55K students would be a huge boost to supports all of our athletic teams.

[jcmanson]

Wow, I’m really impressed and surprised. It’s nice to see some online students taking interest in LU sports. Also, this site is a great way to bridge the gap for those who don’t live in the ‘burg to kind of get a closer look at the dealings with the teams.