Rumor has it...

Rumor has it that this garishly dressed gentleman may be competing in the 2008 DRD...
I'll keep you posted.

We Remember

Although he never did officially sanction (or probably even know about) our great event; more than any other person we owe the late Dr. Falwell a sincere debt of gratitude. If you could think of the DRD, not in terms of a great athletic event only but as a fraternity forged by our experiences at Liberty mountain, then you understand that Dr. Falwell deserves our thanks.

He was a great man who stood athwart political history, a religious visionary with a deep-seated & Biblically informed faith in God's will, & a believer that, given the proper nurturing: a generation of young people dedicated to Christ could change their world for the better.

It was this last belief that led him to found our University - the institution under which the DRD (in the fraternal sense) was formed & flourished. Were it not for Dr. Falwell there would not be a DRD in any sense of the word and these priceless & enduring friendships that we gained on that mountain in South Central Virginia would be naught.

Joey DiCarlo (Salisbury, Maryland)

I never have forgotten his saying that "If it's Christian it Should be better." I loved his passion to represent Christ as giving people power to live above and beyond what they could in their natural selves. And his great faith to see God do incredible things was inspiring.

Brian Ballard (Asheville, North Carolina)

I believe Jerry Falwell has given me great example of vision and a life dream. The verse comes to mind, "if God is with us, who is against us." Jerry used sports and academics to build a huge following of believers behind him. He is and was a great encouragement to living for Jesus in this world with any job.

Stephen Meier (Bunker Hill, West Virginia)

This was taken in the Fall of 2002. Kim and I were on our way to a play and Jerry stopped us and asked to get a picture with us. That pretty much sums up how I will always remember the big guy.

Brent Nieter (Chesapeake, Virginia)

The passing of Dr. Falwell forced me to take a look at the impact that this man made on my life. While I could count my direct interactions with him on one hand, the lessons he passed on were powerful. As people began to comment on his passing, I realized that this man accomplished more in his lifetime than most everyone I know combined. Here was a man who looked the impossible in the eye and took hold of it. He never quit and never gave in. His story of locking himself in a dorm room for hours everyday to force himself to learn to pray spoke to me about commitment, and how to chase after your dreams and goals. Dr. Jerry Falwell redefined what determination meant to me and his never-quit, but shoot for impossible mindset helped mold me into who I am today. And for that, I am ever grateful.

Bruce Kite (Allentown, Pennsylvania)


If you would like to contribute to this blog post - forward your thoughts, comments, & pictures to the editor at jadicarlo@gmail.com

submissions will be accepted until 3 pm EST on 15 May

Austrian Steve : The Interview

For the second installment in our interview series 'Legends of the DRD,' a one on one with 2 time competition winner & international superstar "Austrian" Stephen Meier. From M.K. (that's missionary kid for short) to missionary man, and all the stops in between. I spoke with Austrian last month at his home in Bunker Hill, West Virgina.

DRD: Good evening Steve - Thanks for taking the time to chat with me...

Austrian: Nice to chat with you...

18:51 DRD: Steve it's hardly news now that you are quite possibly the greatest DRD athlete of all times, and yet despite all that, you won't be competing this year.8:52

Are you just trying to let someone else win for a change or what?

18:54 Austrian: It's true, no one have ever outscored me ! John Khan is the only one that even came close - we tied at the '99 event. Timing for DRD 2008... simply didn't work out.

18:56 DRD: I have to tell you that many of the other competitors expressed disappointment when they found out that youwould not be at the 2008 event.

18:57 Between you and me I think that deep down they really wanted to hear another Austrian style rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner."

18:58 Austrian: Look, Robin was sick that day. So I sang it with a sheet of paper in my hand. I think I had like 10 minutes to warm-up...

19:01 DRD: All right, all right, seriously though...

19:02 It's been almost 8 years since you stood atop the red winner's chair at Fazoli's and received the Chalice of Victory...

I know this is a pretty open-ended question but: Austrian Steve, What have you been doing with yourself for the past 8 years?

19:05 Austrian: Right after I completed my first Master's degree God opened a door for me to serve by teaching English in South Korea. It was there that I met Cristina, my wife.
In 2004-2005 I become the Graduate Assistant Coach for Liberty University Track. In 2005 I finished up my second masters and for the last three years I have been the Upper School Principal at Shenandoah Valley Christian Academy in Winchester, Virginia.
The school has about 300 students K4- 12th grade.

Austrian: I'm currently finishing up my 3rd Master's degree ... Ohh yeah and on July 25th of last year (2007) our son, Jared Anthony Meier was born.
DRD: Now correct me if I'm wrong -you will be leaving your current position as a High School Principal as you have now signed on with Ecuadorian Football (Soccer) Club El Nacional as their back-up keeper...??

19:08 Austrian: Well, not exactly. This summer Cristina, Jared and I are going to Quito, Ecuador to serve the Lord. I will be the Secondary Principal at Alliance Academy International.

The school has about 420 students & serves missionary kids, embassy kids, business kids, and local Ecuadorians.

The main language is English, but I will be learning Spanish soon.

19:10

DRD: Wow, three master's degrees, South Korea, Ecuador, marriage, a child, & another language...

19:13 What's that, 3 languages for you now?

Austrian: Yes! English, German, Spanish and some Korean...

19:14 DRD: Whoa...English too...?

I had no idea.
Very Impressive!

19:15 DRD: Now Steve I want to turn our attention to LU Track & eventually we'll get around to the greatest event of all times - the Distance Runner's Decathlon.

You mentioned that you were a track coach at our alma mater...

What was that all about?

19:17 Austrian: It was a opportunity to be back at LU after a VERY stressful time in Korea. It was a good year. I was working with some of the distance runners, but mostly with the sprinters, middle distance, and some with the decathletes...

Taking down times, watching video, writing out the results, and encouraging the athletes...

19:23 DRD: That sounds like a perfect job for you...

My first impression of you back when we met in 1997 was that you were very passionate about competitive running, and over the years I found you to be a great encouragement (to me personally) ...

It sounds like the G.A. coaching bit was right down your alley...

Do you miss it?

19:25 Austrian: Yeah but it didn't pay enough to raise a family. - only about $4000 a year...

19:26 DRD: Ahhh yes...money.

So now you've chosen the lucrative life of a Christian missionary in South America!

19:28

Austrian: Yes, in Ecuador I will get a small salary for being a Principalbut I will still need to raise support for living expenses.
DRD: What if one of the DRD competitors or a reader of this blog wants to help support you guys -- how would they go about doing that?
Austrian: The easiest way to learn about giving to our ministry is to visit Resourcing Christian Education International's donation page. Funds can be directed to the Meier family account by using the code #3930

19:31 DRD: Steve, I have to ask the question, and we'll get back to the DRD in a sec but: why not back to Europe, where you grew up & your parents live or why not back to Korea where you and Cristina met? Why did you feel the Lord was leading you to Ecuador?

Austrian: God opened a door for us to go to Ecuador, and we are blessed to go there. My wife's family were missionaries to Ecuador & she actually graduated from the same high-school where I will be Principal.

19:34

DRD: Phenomenal! Now I want to talk DRD...

As i mentioned before, you are the most decorated DRD competitor of all times and I wonder what it was that you attributed all that success too?

19:43 Austrian: Well I think I am an all-around good athlete. I had run the Vienna City Marathon back in 1996, 100m in HS in 11:73, a 200m at LU in 22.73 and a 400m at LU in 50.30.
As a freshmen at LU, you and I ran a 10,000 m in 35min+
DRD: Well, in full disclosure I really only ran 9,600 meters...
Austrian: Right... anyway... about my competitive spirit - I love to compete & I have a very hard head: just ask John Khan.

19:44 DRD: You are referring to the infamous Spring 1998 basketball cage match...right?

19:45 I will remind the readers that this was a pick-up basketball game between you, me, & Rob Bartels & John Khan on the last day of the Spring semester in 1998. It is best remembered for the punishment that you meted out to the little Pakistani when he had the audacity to attempt a text-book lay-up!

Austrian: Yep!!! John didn't talk to me for about two months - But I got his respect... and now we are BFF!

19:46

DRD: I'm sorry - what was that? BFF?

19:47 Austrian: Nevermind... all I can say is that I am a fearsome competitor - John & I are both competitors & the 1999 DRD [editor note: also known as the Austrian-Paki Debacle of 1999] was just competitive fun...

DRD: We'll after the 1999 event - you really put that draw well behind you and came out for blood in the Y2K event...

19:48

...the rest is History. Johnny Khan was left wheezing on the side of the track and you were sipping RC Cola from the Chalice of Victory....

19:49 19:50

DRD: Who do you think will still be in the shape to tackle this event and win it?

19:54 Austrian: This year, (without me) I predict that Matt Zealand could pull it off.

19:55 DRD: Matt Zealand ? - You think he has the stuff?

19:56 Austrian: He will struggle with the 1km steeple, but the sprints and the field events; He is the one I pick.

DRD: Well, we only have to wait until October 17th to know for sure!

19:57
If you could offer a slice of Austrian advice to the 2008 competitors what would it be?

19:58 Austrian: Right, I am excited to see who can make it out.

1st is to show up at the event

2nd is pace yourself

3rd is to finish without injury

19:59

4th is to have great time

DRD: Wise words from a great competitor!
Austrian, thanks for spending time with me this evening.

20:00 I feel free to speak on behalf of the other competitors and let you know that you will be missed this year and...

that our thoughts and prayers will be with you & Cristina & Jared as you serve the Lord in Ecuador.
Austrian: Thank you.

Chuck

In case you missed the latest 'Liberty Journal', the dates for Homecoming 2008 have been released - October 25-ish. The Anniversary edition of the Distance Runner's Decathlon's dates are unchanged and will still be 16 - 19 October.

Also, FYI - The new management at our alma mater has wasted little time latching onto internet based-American folklore and has invited the most kick-*** commencement speaker of all times.

Chuck Norris will be the speaker at this year's graduation.
[download the details here]
We here at the Planning Commission are attempting to contact him to see if he will also be available for a speech (or at least a few Chuck-isms) at the opening ceremonies of our event this fall.

I left a message with his publicist this morning.

There is another rumor bouncing about that 'lonelygirl15' will be a visiting professor in the economics department as well - although this can not be verified at present.


Stay tuned for more details...