[4everfsu]

past and present, what Jesus Christ and Liberty means to them. How they were directed to come to LU(LBC). Also from any parents who young men attended school here and what it means to them, the parents, etc.

I feel this is a good time to hear from our players the day after LU first football conference championship.

Thanks

[flafan]

My son Josh Weaver, is the quiet, laidback personality type when he's not on the ball field so he probably would not be happy with this post, but since he never reads this (and he doesn't have to know I posted this) and since a couple of you guys asked...

Josh excelled in baseball and football in highschool but really loved the pigskin. He had a great junior year and like others began to receive calls and inquiries from numerous recruiters. Our former youth pastor Barry Rice, who played at LU, really encouraged Josh to consider Liberty and gave his name to the coaches. Barry was back serving at Thomas Road at the time and knew what was happening in the program. He felt Josh could play most anywhere but really urged Josh to come to Liberty because of Bill Gillespie. He knew Gillespie and his ability to develop players. So Liberty was definitely an option for us to consider. When recruiting began Josh received most attention from UCF, FAU, USF, Ga Southern, Charleston Southern and Liberty (because of Barry and the fact that it was a Christian school). By that time Josh had already met Charley Skalaski at UF at an OLine camp. He had an outstanding camp, caught the attention of many coaches (including the UF coach) but struck a good relationship with Skalaski right away. That was also the last year of Ron Zook at UF and the entire Coaching staff changed so no more contact there. Anyway, when the time finally came for decision making, Josh received scholarship offers from FAU, UCF, Ga Southern and Liberty.

To be honest, and please no one take offense, we weren't real big on Liberty simply because I was never a big fan of Jerry. He was just to political for my taste and I didn't really know enough to imagine Liberty being a very good school. We started making official visits with Liberty being the last stop. That was during the Karcher years. But after our visit, and meeting Karcher, Sundheim, Gomes, Skalaski(who was the Florida area recruiter) and the others, his mom and I were sold. By the way, despite his inability to produce a winning program, Karcher was an a class guy. He really had a heart for the Lord and had the best interest of his players at heart. We talked extensively with Josh and it came down to those four schools; Liberty, FAU, UCF, and GA Southern. We left the final decision up to him and prayed for God's Spirit to lead. Josh finally came to us and said he didn't know what to do and that he was going to pray and fast for next week - which he did. That in itself was quite a feat for an OLine player. At the end of the week he told us he felt God wanted him to go to Liberty. When Josh made his decision and told the others schools, the GA Southern and UCF coaches were real supportive but the FAU coach almost blew a cork. It really was funny. Josh says,"Coach, thanks for all you've done but I've decided to go to Liberty." Coach yells over the phone, "LIBERTY, why the #@!! would you want to go to Liberty?" Josh - "Well, (gulp) God told me to." Coach yells again - "GOD, YOU TALK TO GOD?" Josh - Yessir. Coach - "Well, I guess I can't argue with God." He just couldn't understand why someone would choose Liberty over FAU, Schnellenberger, IA over IAA, etc., but we understood. It really was God's leading.

Liberty has been a great experience for our entire family. Josh's older brother decided to transfer to Liberty when Josh made his choice and moved to VA when Josh did. He has since married a girl he met there and has moved back to Fla where he is now a Children's Pastor. Josh's younger brother is now a senior and unless something changes will go to Liberty after a year at Junior College. We are now big Liberty recruiters in our area. It's a great school that has obviously been blessed by God.

I guess Jerry did a good job after all.

Praise The Lord.

[PAmedic]

great story! Thanks for sharing

and no offense taken! not everyone agrees with the school's politics- but we're all fans of the athletes!

[bozlady]

Josh has been a class A sweetheart! He's always so cordial and respectful. He's very quiet but he's not shy enough to say a simple "hello". You would be very proud of him at the way he conducts himself. Thank you for sharing him!!

[TIMSCAR20]

Flafan, thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed that story. I am glad I got to meet you and your wife too. I will have to introduce myself to Josh when I see him. He seems like a great kid.

[PeterParker]

great story! Thanks for sharing

and no offense taken! not everyone agrees with the Jerry's politics- but we're all fans of the athletes!

Fixed it for ya. While many within the LU community undoubtedly possess diverse political viewpoints, most can appreciate the man's tenacity, grandiose vision, connections and uncanny ability to infuse capital into the school. (As my pops said once to me, "It's like the man can enter a room and the money just sort of clings to him as he passes through.)


Glad to get dudes like Weaver...again, the point is proven: the people are often a major factor in the big sell at our fine alma mater. Hopefully, established traditions and a reputation of top tier academics will be close on its heels as deal makers for potential recruits.

[TIMSCAR20]

Well said Spidey.

[jack_sparrow81]

Great Story Flafan.

[bigsmooth]

great story flafan! im so glad josh is at LU. he is the type of player we want. you and your wife should be proud!

[Cider Jim]

Our former youth pastor Barry Rice, who played at LU, really encouraged Josh to consider Liberty and gave his name to the coaches. Barry was back serving at Thomas Road at the time and knew what was happening in the program. He felt Josh could play most anywhere

Great testimony, Flafan! Barry was a former student of mine, and I'm glad to hear that he as well as your son have done quite well, thanks to Liberty's positive Christian influence.

[4everfsu]

flafan, thanks for the testimony, it means a lot to me to see the pride a father has for his son and the fact that LU turned out great for him and he for LU.