The sports scene at Harding was a varied one - of a few wins and many losses. With outstanding performances from some teams and mediocre action from others, it was a time for everyone to reevaluate performances and take advantage of mistakes or high pOints and apply what was learned to next year's season. What was the biggest asset to a team's performance? The answer over and over again from athletes in every sport was "fan support." It seemed that with fellow students cheering them on it gave athletes that extra boost of energy to push a little harder and not give up. Even though fans continued to loyally support the football and basketball teams, it seemed that there was that missing element of excitement and a dwindling of supporters as a result of several losses in a row toward the end of each's season. But not every sport was a letdown. The many long, hard hours of practice paid off for a couple of Harding's athletic teams. It was the cross country team that stirred the most excitement not only around the Harding campus but throughout the AIC by finishing the conference meet with a perfect score of 15. Even with a large number of incoming freshmen, the Waterbuffaloes pulled it all together, making a team that was tough to beat. Losing only to rival Hendrix College, the Waterbuffaloes concluded their season wi th a second place finish in the Ale. Other top AIC finishers included a third place ranking for the Harding golfers and fourth place titles for both the tracksters and the netters. While most recognition went to active players on the fields , courts and lanes , the whole athletic proLEFT: FALLING into a back dive is Perry Fraley ill competitjoll at Arkallsas Tech Ulliversity ill Russelltljlfe. gram couldn't have gone on without all those behind the scene workers who contributed enormously to the program as a whole . .TI he scope of workers ranged from the cheerleaders' unending support for each athletic event to the numerous duties of the basketball trainers and the tremendous organization and adminstration of the men 's intramurals program by "Coach" Cecil Beck. Without them, the sporting events just could not function. For those guys who weren' t "Mr. Athlete" or weren't intercollegiate team "material, " the men's intramural program provided the needed outlet for athletic activity. Regardless of ability or size, each man was guaranteed a place on a team in any of the various sports he chose. It was a different story , though fo r the women of Harding. With no intercollegiate athletic program they had n.o choice but intramural competition if they wanted to participate in athletics. Even though the intramural program was a good one, many talented athletes were denied the chance to add to the many trophies acquired by the men 's teams and also the experience needed for several women's future coaching ca reers. While thousands of dollars were spent on men's athletic scholarships, equipment, training facilities and traveling funds , the women of Harding got nothing but the short end of the stick! From the concession stands to the fan-filled bleachers; from that all-American sport football to the internationality of soccer and the individuality of intramurals - Athletes covers a campus always bustling with one athletic activity or the other, thus giving a wide view of sports . be it for an enthusiast or a fan. - Matt Flinchum , Editor fUM 109 Athletes Introduction
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