Photo by Daniel Dubois Hundreds of "Rhodes Rowdies" show their spirit for Harding basketball at the Henderson State game Jan. 10 at the Rhodes Field House. Harding recorded the sixth largest crowd in the Gulf South Conference history at the game with 3,065 in attendance. "RHODES ROWDIES" ~NOWN AS THE IN THE STATE Of AR~ANSAS Henderson State University referred to the Rhodes Field House as "a hostile environment" before they played the Bisons in January, reflecting the reputation of Harding's student body. Harding fans, known as the "Rhodes Rowdies" because of their enthusiastic support at home games, have earned a reputation as some of the best basketball fans in the state of Arkansas. Head coach Jeff Morgan has been leading the men's basketball team for nine years. According to Morgan, the games were held in the Ganus Athletic Center when he began his coaching career at Harding. "The Ganus is so big that it is hard to generate the kind of atmosphere that we wanted," Morgan said. "In our fifth season, we moved to the Rhodes. Ever since then, there has been a really special connection between the Rowdies and the players," On January 10, 2002, the Bisons recorded the sixth largest crowd in Gulf South Conference history and third largest in Harding history, playing nationally-ranked Henderson State University with 3,065 Rowdies cheering them on. Henderson State graduate David Gatling of North Little Rock attended the game. "As an HSU alumnus I am extremely jealous," Gatling said January 21, 2002, in a letter to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. "I wish our fans were only half as good as Harding's, and I am sure other Gulf South coaches are jealous as well." Sophomore Jessica Mosley believes that Harding students enjoy the basketball games because students are unified through chants and cheers for the team. "Games are so much fun because we're unified and are enjoying the fellowship," Mosley said. "When we cheer for the team, it sounds like one person." Morgan insists that the fans are a big part of the players' performances on the court. "The Rowdies make every game special," he said. 'Tm serious when I say every game is special. We're [the team] humbled and very appreciative." -Renee Lewis Amanda Thomas-Ft. Worth, Texas. Psychology/ Bible. Campaigns. Club Queen (Alpha Tau Epsilon). GATA. Bryan Thompson-Cumming, Ga. Information Technology/ Vocational Ministry. Club Beau (Shantih). lntramurals. KHCA Staff.1V-16. Knights. Jennifer Thompson-Knoxville, Tenn. Math. Petit jean Staff. Honors Association. HUE. Alpha Chi. American Sturues. Who's Who. Kappa Gamma Epsilon. Amanda Thornton-Searcy, Ark. PrePharrnacy/ General Sturues. Dean's List. HUF. lntramurals. Homecoming Royalty. Who's Who. Zeta Rho. Ouistina Thornton-Nashville, Tenn. Exercise Science. Alpha Chi. Club Queen. Dean's List. Exercise Science Club. Campaigns. Shantih. Jeffrey Thornton-Lake Providence, La. Kinesiology. Football. Seminoles. Randi Lyn Thurmon-Breckenridge, Texas. Communication Disorders. Campaigns. SSHA. Delta Gamma Rho. Abigail Thweatt-Brentwood, Tenn. Early Childhood Education/ Middle Level Math/ Science. Campaigns. Kappa Delta Pi. SALT. Ko Jo Kai. Alison Tindall-Borger, Texas. Human Resources/Psychology. Campaigns. Resident Assistant. Student 1mpact. Chi Omega Pi. Arny Tittle-Mesquite, Texas. Music Education. Band. C-MENC. Concert Choir. Kappa Delta Pi. Orchestra. Kappa Gamma Epsilon. Rita Maria Toledo-Guatemala City, Guatemala. Human Resources. American Marketing Association. Campaigns. Circle K. SHRM. Leah Tomlinson-Maryville, Tenn. Middle Level/ Math and Science. Omega Lambda Chi. Susan Tripp-Searcy, Ark. Communication Disorders. Alpha Chi. Campaigns. Dean's List. SSHA. American Studies. Leanne Trotter-Searcy, Ark. Health Care Management. ACHE. Campaigns. Chi Omega Pi. Melinda Tucker-Huntsville, Ala. Early Childhood Licensure. Dean's List. Kappa Delta Pi. SALT. Student lmpact. Campaigns. Regina. seniors 59
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