236 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL reBOUND Former Bison basketball player Dawson Yates returns to the court as a coach. In fall 2020, the Lady Bison Basketball team said goodbye to Coach Weston Jameson and welcomed new assistant coach Dawson Yates. Yates was a Bison basketball player from 2014 to 2016. He was excited to return to Harding as a coach and was received with enthusiasm by the Lady Bisons. “Coach Yates has hit the ground running and is doing a great job,” head women’s basketball coach Tim Kirby said. “He brings great energy and basketball knowledge to the team, and our girls have had a great response to Coach Yates coming in.” The Lady Bison players were sad to see Jameson go, but excited to welcome Yates to the team. “Coach Yates is wonderful,” senior player Carissa Caples said. “It’s very evident that he cares for us and our development, not only as a player, but especially as a person. He brings a fire to our team and encourages us to go the extra mile in the gym and in the classroom.” Junior player Brooke Bradley said the team quickly adjusted to Yates's addition. “Coach Yates is perfect for this team,” Bradley said. “He cheers us on in all areas of life, and our team loves him. He’s always keeping us motivated and humble. He definitely makes us laugh and is a constant in positivity on the court, track and weightroom. Wherever we are, he brightens the mood.” Yates and his wife were already planning to return to Searcy before he accepted the position. "We chose Searcy because of the comfort we had in the community from our time as students," Yates said. "Within the hour of receiving the key to our new home, I received a phone call from Coach Kirby. When we were talking, he mentioned the possibility of me working beside him; I knew my answer before I hung up." Yates said it was special for him to be involved in the basketball program for a second time. "I love being able to represent the black and gold Bison everywhere I go," Yates said. "As a coach, it is so natural for me to connect to our current players due to our shared experiences as student-athletes. I am able to extend invitation to join our community of mission, a community that changed the direction of my life for the better." story by Ellie Shelton
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