Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 18, 1994 TAG: 9403180081
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE: LANDOVER, MD. LENGTH: Long
"We always have a prayer," said Flames forward Jody Chapman.
It has been said the Lynchburg evangelical university is a 10 trillion-to-1 shot to come from the 16th seed in the East Region to win the NCAA title.
"I heard that," said Liberty's founder, the Rev. Jerry Falwell. "I tried to find somewhere to put $10 down to help Mr. Clinton pay off the federal deficit."
Falwell is a staunch political right-hander, but if Liberty were to stun top-ranked North Carolina at noon today (WDBJ Channel 7) in an NCAA first-round game, Falwell might be a bit more democratic with his dough.
OK, maybe not. However, there has been no shortage of gamblers during the frenzy for tickets to today's game at USAir Arena.
Like the other seven schools playing here today, Liberty received 300 tickets. The Flames filled the orders of their players, contributors, administrators and athletic staff members. The leftovers were raffled.
"We had about 1,000 people in a lottery for eight tickets," Falwell said Thursday while the Flames practiced.
That wasn't all he said. Before the Liberty students went on spring break last week, the Thomas Road Baptist Church pastor said that although the school didn't have the details on tickets yet - or a game site because the brackets weren't filled - "as many of you that can should get in your cars and vans and come and watch the Flames play."
What that means, of course, is that more than a few of Jerry's Kids will show up today and learn the house has been sold out since April.
"Oh, they'll be out there trying to scalp tickets," Falwell said unblushingly.
This is the day for which Falwell's 23-year-old school has longed.
"Some of it is David playing Goliath," said Chuck Burch, Liberty's athletic director. "A little of it is curiosity about who and what we are."
Liberty, which has gotten most of its headlines from its financial struggles, can't buy the kind of publicity it's receiving from its first NCAA bid.
"It helps with the credibility of the school," Falwell said. "It helps us financially. People don't like to support anything that's a loser. Me, I'm just the No. 1 cheerleader."
Jeff Meyer had a one-year coaching contract extension for 1991-92, then took a team that had gone 5-23 and compiled a 22-7 record. How close was Meyer to not being here?
"There wasn't much room between the wall and his back," Burch said.
Meyer knows one thing the Flames must do against the Tar Heels is relax. He's not sure it's possible.
"At the Big South Conference tournament championship game, we were going to be on ESPN for the first time," Meyer said. "As always, I invited our chancellor, Dr. Falwell, into the locker room to pray before the game.
"We did, and then he stood and said, `Gentlemen, you are two hours away from the greatest event in the history of Liberty University.' "
At tip-off today, the Flames may be two hours away from a pounding. No 16th seed has beaten a No. 1 seed since the NCAA field was expanded to 64 teams 10 tournaments ago. UNC is a 25-point favorite.
"We know we're not there yet," Falwell said. "Virginia, Virginia Tech, those are established programs. I'm a Cavalier fan. I always root for the Cavaliers when they play, except when they play North Carolina.
"Dean Smith, there's nobody in his league. Maybe the only chance we have today is for everything to be going our way and then have Dean have two or three convulsions during the game."
Some hoopheads have labeled this game "God" vs. God. Falwell said there is a physical resemblance some people see between he and Smith, "but I think it bothers him more than it does me."
He was right.
"I'm not that heavy, am I?" Smith asked. "That's strange. I've never thought about that. Maybe it's the nose, but mine has to be bigger."
Politically, Falwell and Smith are at opposite ends of the floor, just as they will be this afternoon.
Chapman, a senior from Charlotte, N.C., smiles when he considers that.
"My favorite team is Carolina," Chapman said. "I looked up to them as a kid."
Why shouldn't he? Not only did he grow up in the Tar Heel state, his high school coach at Charlotte Christian was former UNC great Bobby Jones - the same man Falwell almost hired to replace Meyer.
Today, the 6-foot-7 forward will be looking up to them again - in particular Eric Montross and Rasheed Wallace.
"This is a dream for me, playing here and playing them," Chapman said. "We've reached our goal, making the tournament. North Carolina's goal is another national championship."
Chapman also is expecting a trip to the Final Four at the Charlotte Coliseum. No, he's not betting on a long shot.
"I'll be there one way or another," he said. "It's my hometown, and my dad has tickets."
by CNB