1. BEAU of OECE Steve Holloway instructs the girls on basketball strategy. 2. SUZANNE TOLLETT of Kappa Phi concentrates on lining up the shot for a sure two points. 3. WITH THE BALL the focal point in the scene, baller, catch· · er, and umpire anticipate the outcome. - Ji ll! Murphy - Kim QUQnd/ Their First Chance Women's Softball 274 Long, long ago Harding participated in intramural sports only. After a few years of developing, the University (a college at the time) began to plrticipate in intercollegiate athletics. However, for the first time since its inception, Harding University sent a team of women softballers into intercollegiate competition. The spring of 1981 began a "testing period" for what many women consider their right to compete on the same level as the men. The team, which was to' be narrowed down from about forty hopeful girls to eighteen, expected to participate in approximately sixteen ball games involving aU of the Ale schools and a few out·of-state NAIA colleges. In preparation for their beginning, coach Ted Altman and assistant Robbie Shackelford put the girls through a rigorous program so that the best possible team Women's Intramurals could represent Harding. Work-outs, which were held daily for two hours in Harding Park, included stretching, fielding, hitting, and as Shackelford said, "We run them pretty hard too. II Altman, who used to coach Harding's men in baseball, felt good about his girls, "I'm really happy the girls are getting this chance," said Altman. I enjoy working with them and am glad to be back in coaching. " The women also responded positively to their chance for intercollegiate competition. Sophomore Beverly Hounsel, a hopeful team member, said, "I'm very glad Harding is doing this. They've needed something like this for the girls so that we can compete too." All of the team's games were to be played away because of the tournament set-up presented by the league. - Jimmy Allen DURING a practice with the new intercollegiate softball team, Lynn Watson hurls the balllojirst base.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==