erseverance Athlete overcomes injury to leave basketball legacy Freshman forward Kevin Brown dunks the ball during the Bisons' Nov. 27 victory over the Champion Baptist Tigers. Brown scored 13 points during the match. IG<>g RoM.1 It was 1977 and, according to that year's Petit Jean, the Bison basketball team "rlayed outstanding ball only to have 'the breaks' go against them. 'While the season may not have been the best, one player stood out with 2,255 points scored over his four years ofplay. Senior guard-forward Butch Gardner ended his last season as a Bison as the Harding record holder in points and rebounds and was honored for his achievements in a way that had not been replicated until 31 years later. Gardner was presented with one of the biggest honors an athlete could receive: His No. 20 jersey was retired. In 2008, Gardner was the director of the multiculrural services office on campus, and a new crop ofBison basketball players were making their home in the Rhodes Field House. But no otherjerseys had been retired until senior forward Matt Hall's No. 30 was retired into the Harding Bison Hall of Fame Feb. 28. Hall was honored during senior night, with the rest ofrus senior teammates, beiing the last home game of the season. "I had no clue about getting my jersey retired," Hall said. "I knew that the seniors would be honored but the thought of having my jersey retired never crossed my mind. I went from being shocked, to being really excited, to thinking that I didn't deserve it. It was just a flood of emotions." Gardner presented Hall's jersey, making him the second person ever in Harding's history to receive the honor. "What it represents is so humbling...ro think that the instirution thought that your career was special enough and had enough significance that they want to honor you by saying that no one else can wear that number,"Gardner said. "As ifto say that the next guy that comes along to wear No. 20 Of, in Matt's casc, No. 30, can in no way live up to what you accomplish.That is extremely humbling. It is an honor that will live on long after you are gone." Coach JelfMorgan said that Hall received this honor not only because of his basketball skills, but also because of his character as welL "Matt was considered for the honor because he represents everything spiritually, academically and athletically that Harding stands for, and he has obviously had an outstanding career,"Morgan said. "He has been such a great teammate to so many and a great leader on and off the floor for our team." Morgan said that Hall put his spiritual life at the forefront. "The thing that makes him so special is that he is a better person than he is a player,"Morgan said. "So many people just know him for what he is on the floor and that is a shame because he is a young man who takes his walk with Christ very seriously." Hall's immediate future plans involved the Bisons' heading to Tampa, Fla., for the NCAA Division II National Tournament. Morgan said he was also excited about the tournament and felt honored to be selected for it, c.rediting the team for a well-played season. "I am so excited for this group of guys as a team to be able to reach the tournament,"Morgan said. "It really dawns on how special this is when you realized how hard it is to get in and the fact that there are about 285 Division II teams that compete and only 64 get in the tournament.1his has been a great group to coach and a lot of fun to go to practice every day and so 1 am really excited for them to get the opportunjty to compete in the NCAA tournament." All those who watched Hall play could not deny that he was a great athlete.But the Bisons were ready for next season and hopefully, another tournament selection. "It has been fun to watch him play," Gardner said. "Matt is a special player. My hope is that coach Morgan will recruit more like him." !Kat" lJlOra1I [men's basketball] 283
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