fithletics Throughout Harding's history, ithas excelled in both the academic and the athletic arenas. Whether in intercollegiate or intramural athletics, Harding teams strive to be the best they can be and to do so in a spirit of competition and sportsmanship. FOR THE FUTURE Through the years, the Bisons have left their mark in the mural flag football. The soccer team, coa. cn!~ a by Dr. Terry record books in a variety of intercollegiate sports. The Edwards, also an associate professor of humanities, hit the bowling team dominated the Arkansas Intercollegiate Con- field running and scoring to make victory next to impossible ference (AIC) from 1964 to 1980 when the conference for their opponents. Their successful first year set a course dropped bowling. During that time, the team earned four for seasons to come. Non-contact flag football took some national championships. getting used to, but the transition went smoothly according The cross country teams racked up 19 consecutive dis- to Jim Gowen, director of men's intramural athletics. Retrict championships from 1972 to 1990 and 18 consecutive duction of injuries and more evenly matched play led to AIC championships. During the last eight years of the AIC, quick acceptance of the change. Harding won the all-sports trophy seven times. All of the athletic teams had traditions to live up to, but As the athletic teams settled into their second year of this year's players worked hard to pursue the mark laid out competition in the Lone Star Conference, one of the tough- before them as they charted a course for future competition est conferences in the nation, they faced many bumps in the road, but Athletic Director Greg Harnden deemed it a successful year. "We fell short of our goals in many respects, but we fared well as newcomers to such a competitive conference," Harnden said. "I believe we are up to the task of being competitive in every sport in the conference. We just need a little more time and experience. " At Alumni Field, Rhodes Field House and Jerry Moore Field, fans made Bison opponentswork hard for scores while spurring the home teams to victory. Record crowds did their part to bring honor and recognition to the players. Hardingathletics charted a newcourse by addingwomen's intercollegiate soccer and changing to non-contact intraThe 1970 National Championship Bowling Team included Charles Webb, Gary Parsons, Dennie Reeve, Mark Poteat and Charles Burt. During the foI/owing four years the Bisons won the National Championship three more times. • 202 ATHLETICS and left behind an even greater legacy for others to follow. Ryan Puckett, Athletics Editor
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