Alumni/Current Student Poll

[PittLU]

I am showing my age for you current students or older former alumni.......

[LUconn]

Nothing beats a 50 cent movie.

[PAmedic]

GENE'S POOL HALL! If that place is still in existance, than I have hope for the future. Oh does THAT bring back memories- 30 cents/game, you could play all night for 3 bucks (about all I had those days)
Lovely part of town, too- as I recall. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

[PittLU]

I loved the fact that you could put $1.00 in the jukebox and run 5 songs. Huge R&B selection, but I was more alt rock at that time - which they had believe it or not.

Unfortunately, Mr. Ferguson (who everyone called Gene even though Gene passed away in the early 90's I believe) passed away in 2000. What a great guy! Nothin like hitting you pool cue on the floor and him racking up the balls, and who can forget the endless games of Miss PacMan! Man I loved that place. I dont know if it is still in existance since it was the one of the few businesses on 12th Street and smack in the middle of the Ghetto. From what I heard, Mr. Ferguson ran that place. Could anyone verify if it still exists? I would love to go back to Lynchburg and run a few games there.

[eddantes]

LUPitt - you took the words right out of my mouth...

I swear, I was just about to mention the memories of playing Ms. Pacman, and hitting my cue stick on the ground to get the balls racked...... good times, my friend. Good times.

[Sly Fox]

You guys are seriously dating me. I've never heard of hardly any of the places on the list.

I do remember the bald spot. My freshman year the mountain caught on fire and they used students to assist the fire department putting it out.

That said, I spent a fair amount of time with my boys at the Fort theatre. When the RAs started cracking down, we went as far as to drive to Roanoke or Altavista just to catch a flick. Pretty sad, huh.

Otherwise, I was working like a dog while rushing through LU in 3 and a half years. So I didn't have THAT much free time.

[PittLU]

I hoped to not date you too bad there sly.....

The Fort Theatre was closed in the late 80's I believe. As you know, LU relented on the movie thing and Movies Ten opened about a 1/2 mile from campus. Cinemark (a Dallas corp) runs the theatre and the movies are a buck (but LUconn says they are even cheaper now). Oh, and the whole R rating thing can be worked around.

Ed - is Gene's still open?

[Duntonville]

After "Mr. Ferguson" died, the place closed down for a few months, then opened back up. They hiked it up to 50 cents/game, then 75 cents i think, then back to 50 maybe. Business slowed some the last few years, but as of last May, they were still open.

It wasn't quite the same without the 35 cent games of 00, but it was still the place to be. We were wondering if the youngsters hadn't been fully introduced last year, fearing that the generations of Gene's LU kids were dying off.

[Duntonville]

Lol oh yeah, was Gene's segregated back in the day?

Back in 00, maybe 01, the elder brothas played on the whole bottom floor with the LU students on the platform. Eventually later on we almost took over the whole place except for 2 or 3 tables up front by the door. Then like I said, the students didn't seem to be there quite as much last year, especially weekdays.

[PAmedic]

man, I don't know about you guys- but Gene's was different in my day (late 80's)

We went in groups of AT LEAST 4, GUYS ONLY, and were the only young/white kids there.

Sounds like you YOUNGER folk "yuppied" it up a bit!

(LOL: I'm only 35 and sound like I'm 80!)

[Sly Fox]

For the record, Cinemark is a family business based in Elgin, Texas (about 3 hours south of Big D) that has just a half dozen or so employees at its headquarters (all family members). Elgin is the sausage capital of Texas (and that is saying something). Dr. Phil just featured it for a community-wide weightloss challenge. It is also where most of the football scenes in Varsity Blues were shot. I miss that sausage and thos Friday night lights.

I saw that little cinema in that strip center just off campus during my last few visits. I didn't realize Cinemark owned the joint. I had heard that Jonathan Falwell had a peiece of the action in it. But that was strictly hearsay. As much time as Jonathan spent at the movies when he was in school with me led me to believe the speculation.

The only pool hall I ever made it to back in the '80s was a place called Rotten Rodneys in Roanoke. A good LU friend of mine named Greg was a clay animation master who did their commercials.

[Duntonville]

HAHAA 4 guys yeah I could see that. The pioneers of genes.

By my time, there were herds of chicks popping in with no guys.

[PAmedic]

I think we should pick a date (2006 is good for me) and all meet back at Gene's! Though I may need a walker by then! LOL

[PittLU]

You know, I could believe that you would need to roll 4 deep to Gene's - if I had no prior knowledge of that place. I know of girls as early as '95 who rolled into Gene's by themselves. My one girl friend even bought Mr. Ferguson a "Liberty Grandpa" sweatshirt. My buddies would often go alone and play the guys on the bottom floor - especially the dude with no top lip (dont know if he is even still around). Gene's seemed to be a safe haven in the ghetto where the street and LU co-existed over the game of pool and old R&B on the jukebox.....Give me a date and let me know!

We stopped going to Gene's my senior year because we had jobs and a few extra bucks. We went to Friendly Cues on ......... I can't remember the street (Fort Ave I think) - they were in a plaza right next to a school (Forrest Senior High I believe). They had a great jukebox and new tables. If anyone knows what I am babling about - could you give me a status on the place?

Sly - you must be showing your age! I often thought the bald spot fire was legend, but you were there to put it out! Roanoke and clay animation?? I won't speak for the other guys on the board, but we rarely went to Roanoke unless there was a hockey game or we wanted to go to Hooter's or something. I liked Roanoke, but Lynchburg had enough entertainment and places to go. Is Cattle Annie's or Spankys still in Lynchburg? Any new bars or restaurants (not that I would have had a beer or two while a student at LU )

My only real knock on Lynchburg is that I was used to a large city with the large city amenaties that Lynchburg just doesnt afford. It kind of sucked to have to drive 4 hours to the nearest big city.

[PittLU]

Oh and sly - thanks for the heads up on Cinemark. I called on them to provide security on a national basis for all of their theatres and was categorically dismissed. I wondered why - now I know it is a family affair. Oh, and Varsity Blues - great movie that reminds me of my senior year at Liberty.

[PAmedic]

LUPITT said:

My only real knock on Lynchburg is that I was used to a large city with the large city amenaties that Lynchburg just doesnt afford. It kind of sucked to have to drive 4 hours to the nearest big city.

Sounds like Gene's HAD changed by '95- guess that's good though.
Also, is there another city in this state besides Philly? Huh, wasn't aware of that...

[PittLU]

Very funny ;D

Lets just see if you can get past the Vikings in the playoffs. I would be really nervous without Owens. McNabb is going to have to light it up with his feet. If by some chance we meet in the Super Bowl, we might have to disregard the Liberty Way and make a friendly wager.

[Sly Fox]

For the record, the Liberty Way was more rigidly enforced back in my day. They literally had RAs hiding outside theatres to hand out reprimands. I'm not kidding.

While Roanoke isn't much to get excited about, at least you could go there and have fun without retribution. Other than Gatsby's and the Hilton (where I used to DJ Wedesdays & Friday nights back in the day), the clubs in Lynchburg were either scary or nonexistent. The entertainment options in Lynchburg back in the '80s were VERY limited. Its good to hear that things have vastly improved.

As for Pittsburgh & Philly, I can't decide which city sucks more. At least Pittsburgh looks a little more attractive in recent years as oposed to when I frequented that dumpy city when I was a kid. Philly still is a huge eyesore. I still ove hitting Quaker Steak & Lube whenever I am up in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh reminds me quite a bit of my hometown, Cincinnati. But frankly, I don't want to be around either of them except in summer. I absolutely hate the cold now that I realized I could move south and not have to put up with it anymore.

[PittLU]

It is amazing how small the world is! I used to barback and serve as a waiter in the Hilton (now Radisson) from '95-'99. I used to do very well on DJ nights. There were some seriously strange DJ's when I worked there. Hope you didnt start that trend

As far as Pittsburgh and Philly - I cant argue. Pittsburgh is downright nasty in the winter, but at least this year we have had a reprieve from the cold weather.

Quaker Steak and Lube is my favorite place for wings hands down. We try to hit that place every couple of months.

I cant say much about Houston since I have never been there, but I freakin hate Dallas. What a spread out, overpriced city. The only real place I liked in Texas was San Antonio. That place has some character. My thoughts on Houston is that the Pirates always get killed there so for a Pirate fan, it is next to hell. BTW, what are your thoughts on Orange Juice Park? I have heard mixed reviews and I am sure that you have been there from a fan and media? perspective.

As far as LU past - I felt them getting more lenient as time goes by. To me, I didnt mind the rules because everyone in my school was supposed to go to Bob Jones University. Liberty rules seemed like a holiday - plus, as I am sure you are well aware, there are ways to get around everything. My dad always called me the 10% (of bad eggs) that Jerry always talked about.

[PAmedic]

Sly said:

. But frankly, I don't want to be around either of them except in summer. I absolutely hate the cold now that I realized I could move south and not have to put up with it anymore.

yeah- spent an hour this afternoon cutting 7 kids out of a 4 car crash on one our local highways IN THE SLEET. real nice...maybe I should find a new job. Bank teller is nice this time of year so I hear.

[eddantes]

From what I've heard about the Dollar Theatre, they did used to have RA's camp out and make sure LU students weren't going to see rated R movies... But then the corporation behind that said that doing so was damaging their business - and sued LU. I think if they catch LU stopping a person from seeing a rated R movie, LU has got to pay a hefty - I heard in the millions - fine.

[Sly Fox]

After the Fort threatened to sue LU back in about '88 to stop the RAs from standing outside the theatre and handing out reps as people left the exits (of course, I always would see the commotion and bust out one of the doors int he back to my car parked next door at the Metal Connection), the administration got creative. Then they had the RAs walk around and write down all the license plates and then run them through the LU parking pass system to find violators. Eventually, they gave up. It was a rule they just quit seeking out to enforce.

There weren't many cinema options back then. You basically had the Fort, River Ridge & the Plaza. All three were awful. As I mentioned earlier, if there was somethign we really wanted to see in first run without fear of getting nabbed, it was either Roanoke or slide down 29 to the quaint town of Altavista.

Memo to PAmedic: You do not have to live in the cold. You spend one winter in the Deep South and you'll never want to live anywhere north of the Mason-Dixon line. Wait, who am I kidding. I don't want to live in any state that doesn't either border the Gulf of Mexico or the country of Mexico. Cold sucks much worse than heat. If you need your snow fix, catch a cheap flight to Colorado for weekend in the powder.

As for Texas, Austin is hands down my favorite city int he state. I lived there for six years and had no interest in moving. Then I had my first child and the urge to raise my children around both sets of grandparents in Houston overcame my comfort zone in Austin. San Antonio is a greatr city to visit (one of my favorites anywhere in the US), but its not exactly awesome to live in. Dallas & Houston both are urban-sprawl nightmares to some extent. The warmer and newer versions of Chicago.

I love both MJB ballparks here in Texas. Arlington is a great yard, except come August & September when the heat can be unbearable. The Juicebox is nowhere near as beautiful as Arlington or some of the other open-air parks, but it is a great place to catch a game. The Crawford Boxes in left are way cool. The retractable roof makes catching games anytime pleasant. They usually have the roof closed for A/C through the first few innings and then open it up once the sun starts to set. The best of both worlds. But the best stadium in Houston is bar none Reliant. That place is the best football stadium on the planet (American football or soccer). Its a palace that is a treat just to drive by. It sits next door to the Astrodome which looks like a carport next to the gargantuan size of Reliant.

Let me guess, LUPITT, you went to a church that was member of one of the following: GARBC, Conservative Baptist or staunchly Independent Baptist. I'm guessing they probably would've been cool with you going to Pensacola (or Tennessee Temple as well if they had heard of it). But Liberal University was considered worse than Penn State.

[PAmedic]

HEY NOW: "WE ARE...PENN STATE" go big blue!
boy, I remember the whole license plate thing now that you mention it. I had a friend who worked "security" as it was called then (when did they become a "PD"?) so I wasn't concerned, and we went in locals' cars w/ VA reg anyway. Ah the good ol' days.
Also, I remember something about one of Jerry's sons getting tuned up : had to do w/ busting students at the movies or a club or something. Memory getting foggy- Sly, am I off on that one?

[PittLU]

My former church was so conservative that we didnt believe in membership to any "baptist" convention. The pastor always stressed independent, then fundamental, then if you had "baptist" - he really dreaded the baptist label. They still frowns upon women wearing pants and dont get them started on movies. It was rumored throught the BJU Review (national rag published by BJU) that Liberty started allowing students to attend "R" rated movies. My church ate that up and started saying how liberal LU was. During senior night when it was announced that I would be attending Liberty, you could hear a pin drop in my Christian School's gym. My former paster and deacon of the church (both BJU alum) looked at me and shook their heads in disapproval......Ok, my therapy session is over.

[Sly Fox]

LUPITT -- So your church fell into the staunchly Independent bunch. My Dad pastored GARBC churches back in the day when I was heading off to school. But he was much more openminded to my possibilities. In fact, he encourgaed my interest in Liberty. Meanwhile, my home church near Cincinnati that my grandparents, aunts, uncles & cousins all attend is an Independent Baptist church loosely affiliated with the old Conservative Baptist movement. At the time I made my college decision in the Mid '80s, all the pastors on staff (and most of the leaders of the church) were BJU alumni. They had grown to accept Pensacola as an acceptible BJU alternative (my friends & I at the time called it the Gestapo South). There had been a few kids start to go Cedarville at the time, but it was looked down on scornfully. The fokls in the church much would've prefered I go to Ohio State, Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky before going to such a reprobate institution as Liberty. I remember going back home on breaks and having the pastor welcome home the college students by name for everyone from all the state schools & BJU ... then he would conveniently "forget" to mention me home from LU.

It even went as far as the senior pastor invited me out to lunch one Christmas break to quiz me about what was really going down in Lynchburg. I assume he was looking for dirt. After a few more years, the pastoral staff changed and now that church regularly has kids headed to Liberty every single year.

The funny thing is that many of the kids who headed to Greenville turned out to be the most messed up by the time they returned home. But they all looked exactly the same. Its amazing how dead-on Steve Taylor was with his song back in the '80s called "I Want to be a Clone". That remains one of the funniest songs going to htis day to me.

PS - My grandfather received an honorable doctorate from Bob Jones once upon a time. To this day, he has trouble acknowledging the day because of the other guy who they were awarding a Doctorate of Letters on the same platform ... George Wallace. That brings to mind some of the lyrics from "I Want to be a Clone": "Down in Carolina-way lived a man named the Big BJ. BJ went and got a school, founded on Caucasian rule. Bumper sticker on his Ford said, 'Honkies if you love the Lord!'"

[ishbox]

nothing like playing pool for 4 hours and popping 5 bucks into the juke box and listening to "Clarence Carter - Strokin" 80 times...

[PittLU]

ishbox - I couldnt tell you how much money I spent in that jukebox on Strokin!!!!! By far the number one song. Gene's actually inspired me to buy my own poolstick because theirs were so freakin bowed. The sticks plus the rips in the felt and the faded balls - good time, good times

Sly - it sounds as if you understand. There was no place to go other than BJU. Pensacola was "somewhat" exceptable, but only the most spiritual would go to BJU. Cedarville and Tennesse Temple were for the "rebels" who werent up to the spiritual challenge of BJU. I used to laugh at the Pensacola rags that showed the Ice Skating rink with girls skating in ankle long skirts - man I still laugh when I think about that.

I did CFAW at BJU and LU, and that is what sealed the deal for me for LU. Talk about a laid back atmosphere compared to BJU. First things first - I went to the dining hall at BJU and you didnt have a choice on food - you had to eat what they served. It was this crappy beef stroganof stuff that was really runny and they served a salad with spam on it. So I leave there hungry and go back to the guys room where he cant wait to put on jeans since you arent allowed to wear them on campus. So, we sit in his room and chat for a while and I tell him I want to go to the snack shop because I am freakin starving. Well, he has to put back on his approved clothes, takes me to the snack shop then leaves to go on a date. His date was going to a place called the "dating parlor" and sitting across from his girlfriend at least six inches and talking. They are not allowed to make eye contact for extended periods of time either. If they would like, they can sit there or play an approved board game, air hockey, or foosball. There are forbidden to leave campus and/or go to unapproved places on campus together. Anyway, while this is going on, I am in the snack shop by myself eating ice cream because they closed down the kitchen at 7:00 and I am watching headline news because that was the only "approved" station.......Later, I catch up with some friends at their Shakesperian theatre thing for which I had to get dressed up in a suit, and I wasnt even allowed to make contact with my date. Man - the whole thing blew. I had more social life as a 4th grader when my parents let me go by myself in the mall!

Anyway, my pastor pulled me aside when I was in LU (at Christmastime as well) and told me that he heard I preached a great sermon in church (he was out of town the week before), but I was unfit for the ministry because I left church a week earlier (during the invitation) to go to the Steelers season finale. The Sunday night service I preached at, I actually left church that morning right before the sermon to go to the Steelers playoff game. He (my former pastor I may add) told me that I had to apologize to the church body for "leaving on God's man" and formally apologize to my two buddies I took with me. He also told me if I want to be a pastor that I better "forget about the Steelers". I said forget that and formally left the church. I had enough of the freakin appearance and look like you are doing the right thing stuff. But I digress......

I enjoyed the song about clones. It is so appropriate. I may have to download that song!

[PittLU]

Can any of you verify if the following places still exist?

Spanky's (great food and atmosphere - crappy service)
Friendly Cue's Pool Hall
Scaremare (put on by TeenQuest - dont get me started)
That little coffee joint in the same strip mall with Movies 10
World Cafe (460 toward Roanoke)
Trotters
Millenium (used to be Gatsby's)

[Sly Fox]

Scaremare! That's a flashback. The organization that ran that used to be called Youthquest when I was in school.

I remember TC Trotters despite it not being very memorable. And as I previously mentioned, Gatsby's was really the only club of any consequence back in the Late '80s. I can't even remember the name of the club inside the Hilton that I used to DJ at. Again, not that I have put much effort into recalling.

[PittLU]

TC Trotters downstairs bar was a college bar that had all the charms of a college bar. Nickel draft nights often got a smidge out of hand - not that I ever attended the event

Johnny Bulls is the lounge where you DJ'ed. Was either Peggy or Mary the bartender? I know the owner used to be Victor Oppleman (one of the few Jews in Lynchburg). Man did he love Jerry - because Jerry brought dollars!