Helena Frye
The Liberty Flames men's basketball team represents Liberty University, which is the second-youngest school in NCAA Division I. The team plays its home games at Liberty Arena in Lynchburg, Virginia, and are members of the Conference USA. The Liberty men's basketball program began in 1972 under head coach Dan Manley. The Flames have appeared in the NCAA tournament six times, most recently in 2025. Liberty University offers scholarship aid to both its men's and women's basketball programs according to NCAA Division I standards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Division | I |
| Year founded | 1971 |
| Year men's basketball program began | 1972 |
| Number of head coaches | 8 |
| Number of appearances in the NCAA tournament | 9 |
| Home games location | Liberty Arena |
| Conference | USA |
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What You'll Learn
Liberty Flames' history in Division I
The Liberty Flames and Lady Flames are the athletics teams of Liberty University, based in Lynchburg, Virginia. The university is the second youngest school in NCAA Division I, founded in 1971. The men's basketball program began in 1972 under head coach Dan Manley, with the team finishing 13-14 in their inaugural season.
In 1981, Jeff Meyer was named Liberty's fourth men's basketball coach. Liberty Baptist became a full member of the NCAA Division II level and also became eligible for NAIA postseason competition. In 1982, Steve Isaacs became Liberty's first NAIA All-American. The following year, Liberty was accepted as a member of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). The Flames finished fifth in the NAIA National Championships with a 23-9 record, and Isaacs was named NAIA All-American for the second consecutive year.
In 1984, the Flames became eligible for NCAA Division II postseason competition. Ezra Hill became the first Liberty Baptist player drafted in the NBA, selected in the 10th round by the Phoenix Suns. Liberty University moved athletics to NCAA Division I in 1989. The Liberty Flames men's basketball team has appeared in the NCAA tournament six times, most recently in 2025. The university has reached the postseason eight times in its Division I history.
In the winter of 2005, the women's basketball team, the Lady Flames, gained media attention when they made the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament. Led by Katie Feenstra, the Lady Flames defeated fourth-seeded Penn State and fifth-seeded DePaul before their winning streak was halted by top-seeded LSU. Feenstra was later drafted by the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA.
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Liberty Flames' history in Division II
The Liberty Flames men's basketball team represents Liberty University, which is currently a member of NCAA Division I. However, the university has a history in Division II, dating back to the early days of its athletic programs.
Liberty University was founded in 1971 and its basketball program began in 1972 under head coach Dan Manley. Initially, the university competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). On March 25, 1981, Liberty Baptist became a full member of the NCAA Division II level and gained eligibility for NAIA postseason competition. This move to Division II marked a significant step in the development of the university's athletic programs.
During their time in Division II, the Liberty Flames achieved notable successes. In 1982, Steve Isaacs became Liberty's first NAIA All-American, a feat he repeated in 1983. In the 1982-83 season, the Flames joined the East Coast Athletic Conference (ECAC) and finished fifth in the NAIA National Championships with an impressive 23-9 record. The following year, Liberty Baptist joined the Mason-Dixon Athletic Conference and continued to excel in Division II competition.
In 1984, the Flames became eligible for NCAA Division II postseason play, marking their official entry into the Division II landscape. That year, Ezra Hill made history as the first Liberty Baptist player to be drafted into the NBA, selected by the Phoenix Suns in the 10th round. This achievement further highlighted the program's growth and the talent emerging from Liberty University's athletic programs.
While Liberty University's time in Division II laid a strong foundation, the university continued to pursue athletic excellence. In 1989, the university moved its athletics program to NCAA Division I, signaling a new chapter in their competitive journey.
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Liberty Flames' players
The Liberty Flames basketball team is the men's basketball team of Liberty University. They are members of Conference USA, having moved there in July 2023 after five seasons in the ASUN. The Flames have appeared in the NCAA tournament six times, most recently in 2025.
The university is the second-youngest school in NCAA Division I, founded in 1971. The men's basketball program began in 1972 under head coach Dan Manley, and the team finished 13-14 in their inaugural season. As of the 2022-23 season, the Flames have had eight different head coaches. As of the end of the 2008-2009 season, the Flames had an overall record of 524-555 (48.6%). Liberty has qualified for postseason play eight times in its NCAA Division I history.
In 1982, Steve Isaacs became Liberty's first NAIA All-American. The following year, Liberty joined the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). The Flames finished fifth in the NAIA National Championships with a 23-9 record, and Isaacs was named NAIA All-American for the second straight year. In 1984, the Flames became eligible for NCAA Division II postseason competition, and Ezra Hill became the first Liberty player drafted in the NBA, selected by the Phoenix Suns.
Notable former players for the Liberty Flames include Karl Hess, Larry Blair, and Jesse Sanders. Hess, a four-year starter, was the team captain of Liberty's 1980 NCCAA National Championship team, earning All-Tournament and MVP honours. He is also the most prolific scorer in Liberty basketball history, racking up 2,373 points. Hess currently works as a psychologist and a major college basketball referee. Blair played for Liberty from 2003 to 2007 and received Big South Conference all-conference honours in all four seasons. He holds Liberty's NCAA Division I record for most points in a career (2,211). Sanders became the first player in Division I history to record a triple-double in each of his four collegiate seasons. He was named the Big South Conference Player of the Year during his junior year and received numerous other honours throughout his career.
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Liberty Flames' coaches
The Liberty Flames are the men's basketball team representing Liberty University. The team was founded in 1972 under head coach Dan Manley. Since then, the team has had eight different head coaches (not including interim coaches):
- Dan Manley (1972-1977)
- Harley Swift (1977-1978)
- Dale Gibson (1978-1981)
- Jeff Meyer (1981-1997)
- Randy Dunton (1997-1998, 2003-2007)
- Mel Hankinson (1998-2003)
- Ritchie McKay (2007-2009, 2015-present)
- Dale Layer (2009-2015)
In 2022, Jamey Chadwell was named the 10th head coach of the Liberty Flames football team. Chadwell joined the Flames after spending four seasons as the head coach for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, where he led his team to an 11-0 regular season and a Sun Belt Conference record in 2020. Chadwell replaced Hugh Freeze, who left Liberty after four seasons to become the head coach at Auburn University.
Danny Rocco was also a notable head coach of the Flames football team from 2006 to 2011. During his tenure, the Flames won their first Big South Conference Football championship in 2007 and became the first team in Big South history to win five conference games in a season. Rocco left Liberty in 2011 to take a head coaching job at Richmond.
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Liberty Flames' home games
The Liberty Flames men's basketball team represents Liberty University and plays home games at Liberty Arena. The team was founded in 1972 under head coach Dan Manley, and Liberty University is the second-youngest school in NCAA Division I, having been founded in 1971.
The Flames have had eight different head coaches throughout their history, with Manley serving from 1972 to 1977, Harley Swift from 1977 to 1978, Dale Gibson from 1978 to 1981, Jeff Meyer from 1981 to 1997, Randy Dunton from 1997 to 1998 and again from 2003 to 2007, Mel Hankinson from 1998 to 2003, Ritchie McKay from 2007 to 2009 and again from 2015 onwards, and Dale Layer from 2009 to 2015.
The team has had some notable achievements over the years. In 1980, Liberty Baptist College, as they were then known, won the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national championship. The team finished fifth in the NAIA National Championships in 1983 and 1984, and in 1984, Ezra Hill became the first Liberty Baptist player to be drafted to the NBA by the Phoenix Suns. More recently, in 2007, alumnus Larry Blair received Big South Conference all-conference honours for all four seasons he played with Liberty from 2003 to 2007.
The Flames have appeared in the NCAA tournament six times, most recently in 2025. They are currently members of the Conference USA, having moved there in July 2023 after five seasons in the ASUN.
Liberty Arena, the home of the Flames, is located in Lynchburg, Virginia.
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Frequently asked questions
Liberty University's basketball team plays in NCAA Division I.
Liberty University became a full member of the NCAA Division II level in 1981. It is currently the second-youngest school in NCAA Division I, having been founded in 1971.
The Liberty Flames have qualified for postseason play eight times in its NCAA Division I history.
Liberty University's women's basketball team offers scholarship aid according to NCAA Division I standards.
The 2021-22 Liberty Flames men's basketball team represented Liberty University in the 2021-22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season.
