alyzing a play from the sidelines, freshman Bert Green tches his teammates practice. Green made the transition professional baseball to Harding's football team this fall. OtOby Chrissy Ingram) Football playerfulfills college goals after playing in the major leagues Growing up in St. Louis, Mo., freshman Bert Green spentmost ofhi s dayson a field doing what he loved- playing soccer. When Green was 13 years old, his coach told him to try basketball and baseball in the off-season of soccer so he could stay in shape and fellowship with friends. The development of Green's baseball skills helped him land a spot in the mi nor league draft, straight from high school. Green was called to play for the St. Louis Cardinals after outfielder Ray Lankford sustained an injury in the 1998 season. Green played center field for the team he grew up wa tching. "It didn't really set in until a friend took a picture of me from the stands and I saw myself standing on the field in the same stadium as many of my baseball heroes once stood." Green said. After two months, the Cardinals traded Green to the Texas Rangers. He played two seasons for theRangers and hit hisonlymajor league homerun. At the close of the 2000 season, Green realized the game he loved was now just a job and the excitement of the sport had faded into a memory. "We have a joke in baseball." Green said . "Whenever we pass a play ground, we say to each other: remember when this was fun boys, now it is just about politics and money." Green decided to end his career in baseball and focus on things he had not done since high school. "I decided to go back to school and get a degree in psychology," Green said. "I have al– ways been able to talk to people and listen well so 1knew psychology was the place to focus my studies." Green initially considered attending Auburn Uni versity. "I wanted to play football," Green said. "I had always enjoyed it as a hobby." Green then looked at Division II schools. "Hard ing was my next choice because my famil y has been a part of Harding for many yea rs." Green said . Green played as a member of the special teams, as well as cornerback and receiver for the Bisons. His next goal is to finish college and pursue his own practice with a degree in psychology. Jennifer Wilson-uule Rock, Ark. Miranda Wilson-scottown,Ohio Andrea Winter-carmel. Ind. Gretchen Winter- Tulsa. Okla. Megan Winters-Jonesboro, Ark. Gary Witham, Jr.-Lynn Haven, Fla. Katie Wolfe-Coral Springs, Fla. Breanna WOOd-Maxwell AFB, Ala. Cade WOOd-Franklin. Tenn. Erin Wood-owBlonna. Minn. Mandi Wood-Amarillo. Texas Phillip WOOd-Muldrow, Okla. Elizabeth WoodS-Cabol, Ark. Jerry Woodward-lillie Rock. Ark. Amanda Wooldridge-Benton, Ark. Stephanie Wortham-Roland. Ark. Alisa Wright- Lillie Rock. Ark. Mandi Wright-Monroe, N.C. John Wright-Challanooga. Tenn. Judith Wright-Suva. Fiji Islands Sara Wright-sl. James. Mo. Rebekah Wyant-Waskom, Texas -Jaime Fahs Joselyn Zepeda- Metepec Estado de, Mexico Arlene Zuniga-Allanlida. Honduras sophomores 105 mlili.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==