Falwell Confidential
Date: April 15, 2004
From: Jerry Falwell
CHARACTER IN ACTION
The nation's sports pages are occasionally awash with stories of corrupt
coaches, imprudent players, and internal scandals.
But this week on the campus of Liberty University, an astonishing act of
generosity and graciousness took place. I believe every sports page in the
nation should pick up on this story to counter the sordid tales that people
tend to remember.
Let me detail what transpired.
On April 14, in a convocation service in the Liberty Vines Center-with
faculty, staff and the entire student body in attendance, High Point
University star forward Danny Gathings, who had been awarded the 2004 Big
South Tournament most valuable player award, handed over the MVP plaque to
Liberty guard Larry Blair..
Why?
Because Gathings, who was an honorable-mention Associated Press All-America
selection this year, believed he had not earned the award. His conscience
simply wouldn't allow him to accept the award because he felt another player
was more deserving.
A few days prior to the convocation service, Gathings had gone to High Point
Coach Bart Lundy to tell him he felt he had undeservedly won the award.
Mr. Lundy said that Gathings told him, "Coach, I didn't deserve that trophy;
Larry Blair did."
It's a rare thing in this age of self-promotion and self-adoration to find a
young man who can take an honest look at himself and seek to correct what he
sees as an injustice. This is the true definition of personal sacrifice.
Liberty University Coach Randy Dunton said the act was truly generous.
"I salute Danny Gathings for his example of sportsmanship," he said.
As Gathings handed the MVP Award to Blair, he said, "I felt this was
something that I needed to do. Larry was truly deserving of this award and
I am happy to hand it over to him and honor his efforts as he helped his
team to win a championship."
Then, with a broad smile on his face, Gathings added, "Hopefully, I'll
deserve it next year."
In their three Big South tournament games, Gathings averaged 11.7 ppg and
8.7 rpg, while shooting 55.2 percent from the field (16-for-29). Blair
averaged 21.0 ppg, shot 55.8 percent from the field (24-for-43) and 56.5
percent (13-for-23) from three-point range, including a tournament-record
seven three-point field goals in the championship game. Liberty beat High
Point in the championship game, 89-44.
Per Big South Conference rules, Gathings cannot relinquish the MVP honor,
but may do as he sees fit with the MVP trophy.
Bart Lundy, Gathings' coach, was visibly moved by his player's action. He
said, "I personally know these two young men ... and even if you take the
basketball awards away, there are no finer young men in college athletics
today."
He noted the negative publicity that college athletics sometimes receives,
but said he was thankful to be a part of an action that countered the
occasional embarrassing happenings that tend to garner the national
headlines.
After Gathings presented Blair with the award, I was proud to shake the hand
of this fine young man who has displayed such great character. Needless to
say, the thousands in the arena gave this humble young man an extended
standing ovation.
I told him, "This is the type of thing that needs to be on the front pages
of all the sports pages across the country."
I wanted to salute Danny Gathings with this column. His magnanimous action
is truly inspiring and I do hope that many papers pick up on this story. I
believe it will inspire many young athletes to conduct themselves in a
similar fashion. The sports world, and indeed the entire nation, would be
all the better if there were more people like Danny Gathings.