Since its inception, the Harding Athletics Department and its facilities saw many positive changes, and, for 21 years, Director of thletics Greg Harnden played an essential role in that growth. On Aug. 21, 2017, Harnden announced that he would retire after the 2017-18 scho 1 year. Harnden served as the women's head basketball coach for eight years, with a 153-91 record, before becoming the athletic director in 1997. Under his leadership, the Lady Bisons advanced to the ational Association of lntercollegiate Athletics AIA) tournament in the 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons. s athletic director, Harnden oversaw the development of several programs at Harding. He added men and women's soccer and women's g If and softball, hired coaching staffs and coordinated the renovations of facilities such a the Rhodes-Reave Field House and First ecurity radium. He also aided Harding's transition from the AI to the CA along with the shift from the Gulf South Conference to the Great American Conference. In 2006, Harnden was inducted into the Harding Atl1letics Hall of Fame. Even with all of his accolades, Harnden was most proud of the successes of the student athletes. "Last year we won the All-Sports trophy [and] the mo t academic awards in the conference as well," Harnden said. "Jr's not only success on the field but in the classroom, which is what we're here for: preparing everybody for life." According to Men's Basketball Coach Jeff Morgan, Harnden built meaningful relationships with his coaches, student athletes and administrative workers. "He's been a great friend and mentor," Morgan said. "He's walked through a lot of really hard times with a lot f us, and I know I'm not the only one that can say that." Likewi e, Scott Goode, assistant athletic director of sports information, was grateful for the support he received from Harnden. "He's been a great boss to work for because he's loyal to you," Goode said. "He [is] there for me as a friend, someone I can talk to, a ment r. I'm going to miss that." Th ugh his days f being a coach were over, Harnden rayed invested in all the sports programs and was still able to stay competitive through them. "When you're a coach, you live and die with your sport," Harnden said. "But when you're athletic director, you become responsible for e erything, so the competition has been very rewarding to me." I Harden presents the game ball to 1994 women's basketball player Kymm Alexander after setting a Harding scoring record previously held by alumna Nancee Wilson, pictured left. Harnden served as the women's basketball head coach for eight years before transitioning to his position as athletic director. // Photo courtesy of 1994 Petti Jean Yearbook Greg Harnden, director of athletics, reflects on 21 years of growth and development within the Harding Athletics Department. In his time at Harding, Harnden oversaw several facility renovations and added new opportunities for student athletes.// Photo by Abigail Cooper )> (J) (J) :-I < 0 m ""O :::0 m (J) 0 m z -l SJ) )> 0 s::: z u5 -l :::0 ~ 0 z Q :::0 m 0 -I 0 :::0 _(J) )> 0 )> 0 m s::: 0 0 m )> z (J) ::::::: ... CD ......
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