303 Rolling Scholars Harding University’s first skate organization started on campus in spring 2023. The organization met weekly to skate on campus together. Christian Shaw, a sophomore, was the founder of HUniversal Skate. “I started HUniversal Skate because when I came to Harding, I had been skating for half a year and loved it. I wanted to have a community to skate with. I found that there were people that skated, but they were all scattered,” Shaw said. “With the inspiration of my older brother who had started a skate club at his college, and with the encouragement of my friend Aidan Brinsfield, I started the process of creating the organization in the beginning of my freshman year.” Shaw completed the paperwork and spoke with the Deans, however, he struggled to find a sponsor. With the help of Dr. Jonathan Singleton, he found Professor JD Yingling, who taught in the Kinesiology department. Yingling’s son was a skateboarder growing up, which was partly why he agreed to sponsor the organization. Once everything was in order, Shaw started recruiting, pushing out information on social media and making announcements in chapel. Sophomore Caleb Hartzell has been a part of HUniversal Skate since the beginning. He did a lot of the media and recruiting for the organization. When asked about the organization, Hartzell wanted to emphasize that the organization was not just for people who already knew how to skate. “I try to teach people early steps for skating like balancing and turning. I am nowhere near a pro skater, but I learned how to do the Ollie my freshman year with the help of Christian, and I’ve been longboarding a long time.” HUniversal Skate had around 80 members; however, 20 members consistently show up to each weekly skate. The organization also met most Saturdays to skate down Art Alley, in downtown Searcy, or hill bombing at Riverside Park. Shaw believed this sense of spontaneity is what makes HUniversal Skate so unique. Yingling looked forward to the club’s future and the beneficial social aspects it could provide. With the leadership skills members of the club have shown in mind. “[The] events provide a safe place for all and encourage community. Students who may not fit in with a traditional social club or other campus organizations can flourish in the Skate Club,” Yingling said. “Skaters have an automatic connection with other skaters –it’s a very inclusive community. I think this club is good for the social environment at Harding.” HUniversal Skate proved it was a club grounded in a community fostered by the love of skating. Written by Cora Freeman “[The] events provide a safe place for all and encourage community. Students who may not fit in with a traditional social club or other campus organizations can flourish in the Skate Club,” - JD Yingling RollingSCHOLARS HUniversal Skate, a new Harding University club, creates community and an outlet for students.
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