Coaches, players excited as 2021 Virginia Commonwealth Games return to Lynchburg

LYNCHBURG, Va. – A celebration is underway at Liberty College because the 2021 Virginia Commonwealth Video games return.

On Friday, the tailgate social gathering kicked off at 5:30 p.m. with opening ceremonies set to begin at 8 p.m. within the Liberty College Indoor Apply Facility. However though it’s all good enjoyable, it isn’t the half everyone seems to be trying ahead to essentially the most.

“Final yr, it was simply empty arenas,” mentioned basketball coach Roger Wilson.

Coaches and gamers alike are greater than able to get out and compete after being sidelined by the pandemic.

“I’m glad everybody is ready to keep within the gymnasium, ready to go searching, to have enjoyable and luxuriate in time within the gymnasium,” Wilson mentioned.

Wilson is teaching his son’s eighth-grade journey staff. Because of the sponsorship of a neighborhood sports activities store, Wilson’s staff is only one of three that Dick’s Sporting Items is gearing up this yr.

“It’s actually thrilling for the staff right here in Lynchburg however extra thrilling for the children,” Dick’s Sporting Items Group Advertising Supervisor Brent DiGiacomo mentioned. “They get an opportunity to do one thing that shall be a lifetime reminiscence for them. We’re simply hoping that they carry house the gold.”

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Wilson mentioned if it wasn’t for his or her help, the children won’t have had an opportunity to play within the Commonwealth Video games this weekend.

The staff is only one of a number of competing within the match, and it’s their first time.

“Plenty of native groups you solely have three or 4 groups in a bracket,” Coach Jeremy Money says. “Right here it’s like 10. It’s an superior expertise for the children.”

Money and his staff are lacing up all the way in which from Harrisonburg.

“I simply love the sport and the alternatives you get out of it,” athlete Marcus Miller mentioned.

“Particularly now with my youngsters being teenage ranges, they’re combating the temptation to wish to go and hang around and keep on the fitting path,” Wilson added.

Wilson mentioned sports activities have a lot good to supply, including that he can’t look ahead to a weekend spent watching athletes do what they love.

There shall be a number of different competitions on campus all through the course of the weekend.

As for the tailgate, it’s going to run into the opening ceremony at 8 p.m, and at 8:30 p.m., a fireworks present will happen for everybody to attend.