As conferences and schools cancel all sports related activities for a period of time, some for the rest of the semester, Liberty University’s football team continues to move forward with spring practice as originally scheduled.
With Liberty being an Independent football program, the Flames don’t have to adhere to specific conference rulings and can continue with spring practice unless the NCAA or the school decides to shut it down.
“This is certainly something that I have zero control over,” Liberty head football coach Hugh Freeze said Friday morning. “Obviously, you want to do what’s best for your kids and the people of your program.”
Liberty has gotten in five spring practices already with the conclusion of Friday’s practice. The Flames will take a one week break from spring ball as the school is on spring break this week, returning March 23rd. Freeze is unsure if practice will continue.
“I’m glad I’m not in the decision making process on that,” Freeze said of canceling practice. “It seems to surely be headed in that direction unless something changes.”
The NCAA has suspended all recruiting on and off campus for all sports until at least April 15th. This affects the football team as Liberty was planning for a large Junior Day for prospects on March 28 and for the Spring Game on April 4th.
“I hate it for all the teams,” Freeze said of the NCAA’s ruling to cancel the NCAA Tournament and other championship events. “I’ve coached a long time, those seniors that don’t get to finish their careers…for Ritchie McKay and his team that don’t get to experience going to the Dance…it’s certainly a first of my lifetime like this. I’m prayerful it will end quickly, but it’s out of my control.”
For now, Liberty football will plan to resume practice on March 23rd.
“Whatever we’re told is the best plan of action for this time,” Freeze said, “we’re going to abide by and support it.”
