[rtb72]

One of the things I like about Liberty athletics is the character of the teams that okay for Liberty. Just watch a few minutes of the basketball team and it's apparent. The kids are unselfish and have a high level of character. At the risk of sounding over the top, they even reflect Christ in how they play the game.

Outside of the few incidents that got Salter and Holloway kicked of their respective teams, I hope we have considered their character as an indicator. I'm talking about day to day attitude. Are they truly repentant with an obvious change? They very well could be, so I hope I'm not putting off a vibe saying they're not.

My point is, these athletes are going to be the face of the University, so it's not just not getting in trouble with the law, but how they conduct themselves day to day. They should be held to a higher standard than the rest of the student body, not a lower one. That might not be fair, but that's why you gain a scholarship and get to represent the school on national television.

I haven't seen a negative trend in our teams character. Malik Willis is a great example of a big time transfer with great character. He shows that winning can happen without sacrificing character.

But winning is nothing if we don't first represent Christ. Again, these kids may very well have great character. Holloman's incident was years ago, and it could have been a one off. Salter could have a great attitude of repentance and they both could be looking tprove out Christ's redeeming love. I hope the coaches have considered this, and I'll assume they have. In the meantime I will pray that the entire athletic program continues to be a great witnessing tool as it has been in the past years.

Hopefully, we can count on some of our mentor athletes to lend to these young men's influence, also. Coaches are one thing, but respected, high caliber peers , such as we have on our football team will be huge. I think that is really where accountability starts, and I truly believe we have some strong Christian mentors dwelling in our locker room who can really make an impact. I don't know anything about these young men, except that...they are young men who had some challenges. I was a young man with some challenges at one time in my life, and it was my peers and my environment change that impacted my life for the better. That, and a heavy dousing of grace and mercy. I am not only hopeful, I'm frankly rather proud that LU is a place that 2nd chances can be realized and redeemed.

[Purple Haize]

Welcome to Big Boy Football. Going FBS and Winning FBS always meant taking players who were “non-traditional” LU students. If you didn’t think that was part of the bargain and LU was gonna have a roster of Tim Tebows and Kurt Warner’s…you need to reevaluate reality

[stokesjokes]

Stokes leaves out a huge part of why folks have trusted freeze and mccaw. Its because theyve had success without these issues thus far.

I just don’t think 2 years is enough time to really say that

[paradox]

I will say this. JJH is the guy that they wanted. It's been ongoing. Virtually everyone that's available wants in right now. So, this is by no means a desperation move.

[thepostman]

Welcome to Big Boy Football. Going FBS and Winning FBS always meant taking players who were “non-traditional” LU students. If you didn’t think that was part of the bargain and LU was gonna have a roster of Tim Tebows and Kurt Warner’s…you need to reevaluate reality

What do you mean welcome to big boy football? As if this is some kind of new phenomenon here at LU.

There is a difference between bringing in "non-traditional" LU students and bringing in kids with noted behavioral issues.

You know that though.


With that said, there are valid arguments to be made why brining in these types is good/bad. At the end of the day, if they end up being brought in we just have to hope HF knows what he is doing at this point and that they can grow past their mistakes.

[Purple Haize]

Welcome to Big Boy Football. Going FBS and Winning FBS always meant taking players who were “non-traditional” LU students. If you didn’t think that was part of the bargain and LU was gonna have a roster of Tim Tebows and Kurt Warner’s…you need to reevaluate reality

What do you mean welcome to big boy football? As if this is some kind of new phenomenon here at LU.

There is a difference between bringing in "non-traditional" LU students and bringing in kids with noted behavioral issues.

You know that though.


With that said, there are valid arguments to be made why brining in these types is good/bad. At the end of the day, if they end up being brought in we just have to hope HF knows what he is doing at this point and that they can grow past their mistakes.

Oh it’s been going on but you’re going to get much more high profile cases now than before. And a lot more frequently

[thepostman]

Right but there is still a difference between non-traditional LU students and those with noted behavioral issues.

I'm not saying we should avoid those with behavioral issues altogether but we better be doing our due diligence to set them up for success if we do.

[Jonathan Carone]

I don’t have a problem giving guys second chances. This is the first time we’ve experienced it with the current administration. We have no reason not to trust them but we also don’t have a reason to trust them yet. There’s no track record with this type of thing at Liberty. We hope they learned from past experiences but it hasn’t been proven yet. Until it is - and these are the two who will prove it - it’s natural to be skeptical.

[jinxy]

Holloman has been vetted for quite a while plus hes been issue free for 2.5 years from what ive heard. Salter couldnt have been vetted much because there simply wasnt time. However, as long as they are put on a strict plan particularly salter then im all ears.

I expect no problem from jj. He seems to have matured.

Also mccaw has been here much longer than 2 years. Nice try though. I have not heard one negative comment on mccaw from one person since hes been here. Hes been exemplary. Freeze is the one with everything to gain and lose in this and yes with him 2 years is not long but this is a decision bigger than HCHF.

[LUOrange]

Well, both of these kids are here now, and it's time to support them as Christians and fans. I hope that the Liberty community can have a bigger impact on their lives than they will for us on the football field. Many of us were skeptical and concerned with the McCaw and Freeze hires and so far they've proven their worth. I pray it's the same with these kids.

[Purple Haize]

Right but there is still a difference between non-traditional LU students and those with noted behavioral issues.

I'm not saying we should avoid those with behavioral issues altogether but we better be doing our due diligence to set them up for success if we do.

I was trying to use “diplomatic language”. I’m not schooled in it like some people…

[Purple Haize]

Well, both of these kids are here now, and it's time to support them as Christians and fans. I hope that the Liberty community can have a bigger impact on their lives than they will for us on the football field. Many of us were skeptical and concerned with the McCaw and Freeze hires and so far they've proven their worth. I pray it's the same with these kids.

Yes, please don’t read into my comments that I am not supporting them. I hope they do well and keep their nose clean.

[LUOrange]

Well, both of these kids are here now, and it's time to support them as Christians and fans. I hope that the Liberty community can have a bigger impact on their lives than they will for us on the football field. Many of us were skeptical and concerned with the McCaw and Freeze hires and so far they've proven their worth. I pray it's the same with these kids.

Yes, please don’t read into my comments that I am not supporting them. I hope they do well and keep their nose clean.

I wasn't pointing anyone out. Just commenting on how the tone of the conversation felt. But I also share some of the concerns as the rest of us. But it's time to let them prove themselves.

[Kricket]

In an effort to lighten the mood...

[stokesjokes]

Loved Pat Kelly. He always got the crowd pumped when he made a play.

[flameshaw]

Loved Pat Kelly. He always got the crowd pumped when he made a play.

Reminded me of Ricky Proehl of the Rams and WF. Great possession receiver. The guy you want to go to on 3rd down. Loved watching him play.

[thepostman]

I was also a huge Pat Kelly fan. He is also a great follow on twitter.

[paradox]

This latest #9 looks to be a match-up nightmare for opposing defenses.

[Logic]

Asking the right side of the testosterone level bell curve to play patty cakes…when they want to fight…as though trying to tame a lion and asking it not to bite. The carrot and stick only work for so long. If we want high testosterone footballers there is a risk associated. Look around - every P5 has these challenges. Just a part of the process. Par for the course.

[cruzan_flame13]

So I suppose Freeze changed his mind on Holloman? He's apparently not on the roster.

[olldflame]

This latest #9 looks to be a match-up nightmare for opposing defenses.

Holloman is now no longer on the online roster. Hopefully it's just a precaution while some more transfer details are worked out.

[olldflame]

Not sure if this means anything, but ASOR put up a projected 2-deep this morning, and Holloman is on it.

https://www.aseaofred.com/liberty-footb ... ng-camp-2/

They may or may not be totally up to speed on the situation, but he was on the on-line roster briefly, and now he is not.

[Chippy]

Loch Ness Monster, Big Foot, Elvis, and now JJ Holloman.

[olldflame]

Loch Ness Monster, Big Foot, Elvis, and now JJ Holloman.

Based on Manson's recent comments, it appears that JJ not being on the official roster at this point is a matter of finalizing some paperwork regarding his transfer from FIU. Hopefully it will be resolved soon.

[LUalum12]

Anyone heard anything regarding the status of JJ?