274Athletics Students filled the Rhodes-Reaves Field House on Jan. 30 in order to cultivate a supportive atmosphere for the players. The night began with students walking through the doors and filling the stands section by section. There were games, incentives and prizes available for all the students who showed up to support the Bisons in their win over Ouachita Baptist University. “In basketball the action is nonstop,” head basketball coach Weston Jameson said. “Momentum and energy play such a crucial role, and the crowd can impact it. Our goal is just to make this an awesome atmosphere and experience for our players, students and the Harding and Searcy community. We want it to be a place where people can go crazy, have fun and also help impact winning.” One of the ways the men’s basketball team encouraged students to attend was by donating $250 to the social club that had the most members in participation at the game. “We had over 350 students check in to represent their social club,” Jane Chandler, director of Campus Life, said. “I would say we easily had 700-800 students in the student section side of the court.” The Rhodes-Reaves Field House had a legacy of a booming atmosphere that consisted of not only Harding students, but also Searcy community. In February 2013, the field house was described as “the best road trip destination in college basketball” by Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Geico in an online fan poll. “I remember the crowd cheering at the top of their lungs from the jump ball to the last whistle,” alumna Jessica Berry said. “It was always great to see the Harding student body cheer on the Bisons week to week.” Jameson recalled his days playing in the “Rowdy Rhodes.” “I still can vividly remember having that Bison jersey on and walking out to the roar of the crowd,” Jameson said. “It’s special giving our players those same types of memories. Those are the games they will never forget.” Not only was it a fun night for the student body, but it was also a rewarding experience for the players on the team. “The energy absolutely affects the way we play because it gives us a little added motivation when we have our friends and people in the stands supporting us,” senior guard Samuel Henderson said. Junior guard Wyatt Gilbert made sure to show his thankfulness to the student body. “We work hard every week to prepare for the games, so it’s great to have so many people come to support us,” Gilbert said. Overall, the goal to revive the lively atmosphere of the Rhodes-Reaves was met. Campus Life partnered with the men’s basketball team to continue to energize the games. Written by Ensley Montgomery RHODES ROWDIES The Harding Bisons create a spirit campaign around “Revive the Rhodes.”
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