REPORTS: 2023-24 Liberty Athletics Year in Review, Best of the Best
In their inaugural year as members of Conference USA, Liberty University made a significant impact by securing an impressive total of 10 conference titles, the highest among all teams in the league. The football and softball teams achieved the remarkable feat of winning both the regular-season and championship titles in their respective CUSA divisions. Additionally, victories were also achieved by the men’s golf, women’s soccer, men’s indoor track & field, men’s outdoor track & field, women’s indoor track & field, and women’s outdoor track & field teams in their respective CUSA Championship events.
Beyond Conference USA, the women’s swimming & diving team claimed the Atlantic Sun Conference title, while the field hockey team earned the BIG EAST regular-season crown, bringing the total number of conference championships won by the Flames to an impressive 12. Under the guidance of first-year head coach Jamey Chadwell, the Flames football team had a historic season marked by numerous “firsts.”
They finished with an outstanding record of 13-1, including an undefeated regular season. The team clinched their first-ever CUSA regular-season and championship game titles, and also made their debut appearance in a New Year’s Six bowl game, competing against Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl.
Coach Chadwell’s accomplishments were recognized through prestigious awards, as he was named the 2023 Paul “Bear” Bryant Award Group of Five National Coach of the Year and the Steve Spurrier First-Year Coach of the Year.
The Flames ended the season with a ranking of No. 25 in the final Associated Press national poll. Leading the team was quarterback Kaidon Salter, who was honored as the Group of Five National Player of the Year. Salter’s exceptional performance included rewriting Liberty’s record book with 44 total touchdowns and 3,965 yards of total offense.
Liberty Athletics Year in Review
Volleyball (15-14, 8-8 CUSA): Liberty had back-to-back winning seasons in volleyball, highlighted by their first-ever win over a Top 25 opponent, No. 23 Hawaii, on September 7th
.Men’s Soccer (9-6-3, 4-4-2 OVC): In their first year as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), Liberty posted a 9-6-3 overall record, their highest win total since 2017. Midfielder Gabe Findley became the first Flame to earn all-region honors in five years
.Women’s Soccer (16-3-1, 5-2-1 CUSA): The Lady Flames started the season with an 11-0 record, closing out a program-record 24-match unbeaten streak. They went on to win the CUSA Women’s Soccer Championship, earning their eighth NCAA Tournament bid
.Field Hockey (17-3, 7-0 BIG EAST, Ranked No. 7 nationally [NFHCA Poll])
The Lady Flames had an impressive season, defeating the No. 1 team and eventual national champion, North Carolina. They won the BIG EAST regular-season title and earned their first-ever at-large bid to the NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship.
Cross Country and Track & Field
Liberty had a remarkable year in cross country and track & field. They became only the second team in Conference USA history, along with Houston in 1998 and 2005, to win conference titles in men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track & field in a single year. The Flames had the longest active streaks in the nation for conference championships in men’s indoor track & field (27 in a row) and men’s outdoor track & field (17 in a row). Three Lady Flames earned second team All-America honors at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Men’s Basketball (18-14, 7-9 CUSA)
The Flames had an 18-14 season and won the Myrtle Beach Invitational championship in November. Kyle Rode received his third straight all-conference nod, being named to the second team All-CUSA.
Women’s Basketball (18-16, 11-5 CUSA)
Liberty had a strong finish to the season, going 12-3 in their final 15 games and reaching the CUSA title game in their first year as a conference member. Head coach Carey Green earned his 548th victory, becoming the winningest coach in Liberty Athletics history in any sport.
Women’s Swimming & Diving (5-1, 1-1 ASUN)
The Lady Flames won the inaugural Atlantic Sun Women’s Swimming & Diving Championship, capturing their sixth consecutive conference title overall. Kamryn Cannings had an impressive performance, placing 19th in the 100 butterfly at the NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming & Diving Championship.
Men’s Tennis (18-9, Ranked No. 56 nationally [ITA Poll])
Liberty had an 18-9 overall record and advanced to the Conference USA Men’s Tennis Championship title match. They finished the year ranked No. 56 in the final ITA national rankings.
Women’s Tennis (18-7, 5-0 CUSA)
The Lady Flames reached the Conference USA Women’s Tennis Championship final and made their postseason tournament debut.
Women’s Lacrosse (6-12, 3-3 ASUN)
The Lady Flames led the nation in caused turnovers per game but fell short in the Atlantic Sun semifinal round with a one-goal loss to Jacksonville.
Men’s Golf
The Flames won the CUSA Men’s Golf Championship title in a playoff, securing their eighth conference title in program history. They also competed in an NCAA Regional for the eighth consecutive season.
Baseball (24-34, 11-13 CUSA)
Liberty had a productive season, hitting their most home runs in 22 years and reaching the semifinal round of the Conference USA Baseball Championship.
Softball (38-25, 19-5 CUSA, Ranked No. 23 nationally [D1Softball Poll])
The Lady Flames had an impressive season, sweeping the Conference USA regular-season and tournament championships. They reached the NCAA Regional Final for the fourth time in program history, finishing the year ranked No. 23 in the final D1 Softball national rankings. Please note that the information provided is based on the Liberty Athletics Year in Review and other relevant sources
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