We had the privilege of speaking with Liberty Athletic Director Ian McCaw at length about the state of the Liberty Athletic program. We delved into a vast array of topics, focusing on the athletic program’s first year in Conference USA and the numerous changes within the college athletic landscape. We also touched on several topics surrounding Liberty football, men’s basketball, baseball and other programs on the Mountain.
This will be a multi-part series we release this week. Today’s feature looks at the men’s basketball and baseball programs, the several coaching changes made this offseason, and more surrounding the Flames’ athletic programs.
Previous:
Part 1: 2023-24 year in review; CUSA
Part 2: 2024-25 goals amid the changing college athletic landscape
ASOR: What is the current status of the baseball pitching lab and any other construction projects you are working on?
Ian McCaw: “The baseball pitching lab project is progressing well. It is scheduled to be complete in November, that will be a huge asset for Coach LeCroy and the baseball program.”
“The golf practice facility is on track to be ready this spring. We are planting grass I believe later this month. That will be fully ready for the spring. There are some Campus East improvements to lounges for field hockey and lacrosse. Those will be ready when the teams report this fall.”
ASOR: Where will the golf facility be located and how will that be utilized?
Ian McCaw: “That will be at the current facility. There’s going to be 18 tee boxes and 6 fairways, 6 greens. It will be a place for the team to practice and if they want to simulate playing a round of golf or they can just play part of the facility. It will be one of the better golf practice facilities when it is completed it will be a huge asset for the program as they train.”
ASOR: The men’s basketball team did not compete at the same level we have grown accustomed to seeing out of that program in its first year in CUSA, what do you think are some of the top lessons learned from the first year in the league and how do you see that program improving this year?
Ian McCaw: “Coach McKay and his staff did an outstanding job recruiting this spring, both out of the transfer portal as well as with a junior college addition. It really effectively addressed the needs of the program. I think he is to be commended for adaptive leadership in this new environment. He and his staff assessed both where Conference USA is and what their needs are. I think we’ve done a great job of building the roster out and that’s necessary in the current environment in college basketball.”
ASOR: The baseball team had losing records each of the past two seasons. Now, Bradley LeCroy takes over that program, what impressed you about him and what does he bring to the Flames and the baseball team?
Ian McCaw: “The fans are really going to be excited to get to know Coach LeCroy. He is, first of all, a strong mission fit. He is very relational, very positive. He is a high energy individual. He is an outstanding recruiter and coach. He is a contemporary coach, really embraces analytics and things that are essential for contemporary college baseball.”
“You can look at his track record – he was a highly successful assistant in both the SEC and the ACC, that impressed. Then, the turnaround he led at VCU, leading them to the NCAA Tournament and winning a game against Wake Forest, really impressed us. We are excited about him.”
ASOR: Coach LeCroy is one of three new head coaches you hired this offseason, the busiest year you have had in replacing coaches since you’ve been here, how excited are you about the additions of Coach Albrecht (volleyball) and Coach Connell (women’s tennis)?
Ian McCaw: “Coach Connell, women’s tennis, an incredible track record. 11-time national champion at Tyler Junior College. We are really excited about him. We think he will bring a lot of energy and positivity to that program and has hit the ground running.”
“Coach Albrecht in volleyball has stepped into a really challenging transition late this spring. With that being a fall sport, it’s a difficult time to take over. He has put together a quality staff and has the confidence of our team. We are excited about what they can do this fall.”
