Written by Cooper Turman // Graphic by Cooper Turman
The Harding University Athletics Hall of Fame will be hosting its 2022 induction ceremony tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the Charles White Dining Hall. Thirteen new members will be inducted in this year’s ceremony.
Every five years, a committee from The Bison Boosters meets to discuss which former athletes to induct into the hall of fame.
According to the Harding Sports website, the list of inductees includes Molly (Arnold) Reynolds (volleyball), Kristen (Celsor) Johnson (women’s basketball/track and field), Adam Darby (baseball), Guillermo Hernandez (men’s tennis), Adrian Hickmon (football), Dave Hudson (bowling), Ronnie Huckeba (outstanding coach), Artur Kern (men’s track and field), Gerald Payne (football), Robert Towns (football), Calister Uba (track and field), Chad Ware (men’s basketball), and Ewa Zaborowska (track and field).
Athletic director Jeffrey Morgan described the steps of choosing the inductees.
“Usually the ones considered have awards such as conference player of the year, all-Americans, national champions, record holders, et cetera,” Morgan said. “Occasionally, we may have someone inducted for meritorious service. Our committee this year consisted of 14 people who went through the bios [of the athletes] and then voted. This committee is made up of retired coaches, former student-athletes and Bison Booster Club members who care deeply about Harding and our Athletic Department.”
Assistant athletic director for Sports Information Scott Goode said these athlete biographies that are considered by the committee are created by “using Harding’s athletics record books to find the information of the former athletes.” Goode further explained the criteria for the nomination process and just how intensive it actually is.
“The minimum qualification for consideration for the Hall of Fame is making All-Conference,” Goode said. “There are hundreds of former athletes that meet that criteria. I reduce that to candidates who would have a legitimate chance of being elected. The committee then selects the most deserving for the Hall of Fame.”
Goode said he recognizes the significance of the incoming inductees.
“Because we only have an induction every five years, we always have an extremely impressive group of inductees,” Goode said. “They are the best of the best in their respective sports,” Goode said.
Sophomore football player Tyra Wilson spoke on what this means to students currently in the Athletic Department.
“It is inspiring,” Wilson said. “It creates a sense of wanting to leave your own mark on the program as much as they had, but not just as an athlete but also how you treat people.”
To purchase tickets or for more information on the event, visit HardingSports.com/tickets.
