The women’s softball program here at Harding has been lost for close to two-and-a-half decades.But Athletic Director Greg Harnden announced Nov. 14 that the sport will be back in the lineup for the 2013–2014 school year.Harding fielded a winning softball program in the 1980s, but it was dropped after the other schools in the conference discontinued their programs.Janis Ragsdale, now International Programs Administrator at Harding, played softball for the Lady Bisons in the spring of 1982.
“I played with some great girls and made wonderful memories … some of the best memories of my college career,” Ragsdale said.
The Lady Bison softball team will compete in the Great American Conference in which all of the other schools have softball programs.When Harnden approached President David B. Burks about bringing softball back to Harding, he was met with enthusiasm by Burks, who said he “wants to do it right.”
Harnden stated that after the men’s and women’s golf programs were added to Harding sports, softball was the next logical addition.
“I am hopeful with the addition of softball we can recruit more female students to come to Harding that may otherwise have chosen to go somewhere else,” Ragsdale said.
Harnden says this endeavor is “not a token undertaking.Money has been allocated for a new softball stadium and we are now working with a physical planner. It will be similar to the baseball stadium with nice stands, dugouts and field.”
The location of the field is tentatively planned for the current soccer practice field, which is west of the baseball stadium at the corner of the Beebe-Capps entrance to the university.Harnden noted that this location has plenty of room for a softball stadium.
Softball is a spring sport but does have a fall schedule with a non-conference schedule. Since the announcement, Harnden said they are already receiving enthusiastic inquiries from prospective players.He said that he is currently in discussions with candidates for the head coaching position.
“As far as recruiting goes, Harding will be aggressive with recruiting and will award the maximum number of scholarships allowed by the NCAA in a three-year span.”
Ragsdale is excited about the return of the sport.
“I am happy for the girls that will be able to play the sport they love,” Ragsdale said.”If the team members develop great relationships, advance their education, while being ambassadors for Harding, I think it is a favorable decision for the institution and the students.”
